The Ohio State basketball team is in desperation mode. Every game they play could be the difference between making or missing the NCAA Tournament. Heading into Tuesday's game against Wisconsin, the Buckeyes were still searching for their first Quad 1 win of the season.
It's not like the Ohio State Buckeyes didn't have chances. They couldn't close games against North Carolina, Virginia, or Michigan. Had they closed just one of those three games, they would be in the field of 68. Yet, closing games has been a massive issue all year long.
Against the Badgers, who came into this matchup as the 24th-ranked team in the country, Ohio State finally put together a strong game from start to finish. They were up by as many as 20 points in this game, and they took down the Badgers 86-69 to finally get a good win on their resume.
The Ohio State basketball team finally gets a big win against Wisconsin
Devin Royal was the big catalyst in this game. After a horrible game against the Cavaliers, he bounced back in a big way. He finished the game with a season-high 25 points, scoring inside and out. With him knocking down shots from all over, it took a lot of pressure off Bruce Thornton.
Thornton still came to play in this one, as he does in every game the Buckeyes play. He finished the game with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. He stuffed the stat sheet in a way that only he can. Thornton played the role of the closer in this game, as he scored 24 of his points in the second half. He also became the third-leading scorer in program history.
Getting this win finally gives the Bucks a real win to point to on their resume that shows they deserve to play meaningful basketball in March. This puts them back on the favorable side of the bubble. They will have a few other chances to fully secure their spot in the NCAA Tournament.
If they can clock wins against Iowa, Penn State, and Indiana, that might be enough to get them into the Big Dance. A win against Michigan State or Purdue would be a massive bonus.