The Ohio State basketball team is hanging around the NCAA Tournament bubble. While most bracketologists have them in, they are in no way guaranteed to be in right now. They still have some resume-boosting to do if they want to make sure that they will be playing meaningful basketball in March.
They have a big opportunity to do just that on Sunday afternoon. They will take on Michigan for the only time this season. They are the top team in the Big Ten standings right now and are the final ranked team that the Ohio State Buckeyes will play in the regular season.
While this is a big game because of those stakes, it's even bigger than normal. It's also a rivalry game that this team really wants to win. Not only do they want to win it because it's a rivalry game, but one of their own decided to transfer there after last season.
The Ohio State basketball team wants to beat Roddy Gayle's Michigan team
Roddy Gayle Jr. decided to transfer to Michigan after last season. Ohio State basketball fans were not pleased that he decided to transfer to that school instead of any other school. They will certainly be giving it to Gayle every time he touches the ball on Sunday afternoon.
While TTUN has had a good season in Dusty May's first season leading the program, Gayle has had a rough year. He is shooting just 22% from the field. His lack of shooting has frustrated fans all year long. His turnovers have been a problem, too, as he is averaging 2.3 of them a game.
His numbers are down across the board from when he was with the Buckeyes last year. This year's version of the Buckeyes wants to show him that he made the wrong choice leaving for Michigan. It would be a really good win if they can get it.
Ohio State is still likely in the NCAA Tournament as long as they don't falter down the stretch, but a win against TTUN would give them more cushion just in case they catch a loss.