The second matchup between rivals Michigan and Ohio State on the hardwood this season will take place on Sunday, when No. 2 Michigan heads to the Schottenstein Center to take on the beleaguered Buckeyes.
When the two teams met in Ann Arbor two weeks ago, Michigan won the first game 74-62 and hasn’t wavered since. The Wolverines (21-1, 11-1 Big Ten) have won seven straight games since suffering their first and only loss of the season to Wisconsin in early January.
The same cannot be said for Ohio State. They have lost and won repeatedly since the game against Michigan on January 23rd, but they are gaining confidence after winning by 20 points against Maryland on Thursday. This was the largest margin of victory against a conference opponent since February of last year.
Michigan vs. Ohio State: What you need to know
Michigan pursues advantage: After a 91-88 home loss to Wisconsin on Jan. 10, a perfect season is no longer in the cards for Michigan, but it will certainly be a dominant one. The Wolverines rank first in college basketball with a 22.5 point differential. This is the largest scoring difference for a team in a major conference since Duke in 1998-99, but the team is considered one of the best teams to miss a national championship.
Battle on the board: In the first game two weeks ago, Michigan defeated Ohio State 36-27, with the Wolverines grabbing 12 offensive rebounds. In the end, they capitalized on this and took a 23-13 advantage in second-chance points, which was almost the difference in the game. For OSU to have any chance of competing, it will have to stop Michigan’s relentless tenacity on the glass.
Who can lead the game: Ohio State is frequented by star guard Bruce Thornton as well. And in the first matchup, he struggled against Michigan’s length, going 3-of-11 from the field and 1-of-5 from 3-point range, with two assists and two turnovers. Thornton will need to find a way to consistently finish against a strong University of Michigan opponent, get to the free throw line or find a way to help his teammates succeed. For Thornton, the big game gives OSU a chance. Another just fine outing and Wolverines Roll.
Where to watch Michigan vs. Ohio State live
date: February 8th (Sunday) | time: 1:00 PM ET
position: Schottenstein Center — Columbus, Ohio
tv set: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App
Streaming paramount+premium
Michigan, Ohio State predictions, selections
No team this season has a bigger scoring differential than Michigan. As such, it feels like a no-brainer to tie the game with an Ohio State team that has been winning and losing in recent weeks. The Wolverines have won by double digits 17 times, and that trend continued Sunday.. Pick: Michigan State -9.5 (boone)
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