The Ohio State men’s basketball team fell to 10-6 following a two-point home loss to No. 15 Oregon last Thursday. Their schedule doesn’t get any easier as they now travel to Madison, Wisconsin to square off with the No. 24 ranked Badgers. Tip off is set for 9 pm ET with coverage on Peacock.

Wisconsin Badgers:

The Badgers have begun the season at 13-3 and enter tonight’s game on a five-game winning streak. Their three losses came during a seven-day span where they were defeated by Michigan, Marquette and Illinois.

Projected Starters:

Nolan Winter- F, #31

Steven Crowl- F, #22

John Blackwell- G, #25

Kamari McGee- G, #4

John Tonje- G, #9

The Badgers are led in scoring by their talented guard duo of Blackwell and Tonje. Tonje, a senior, is averaging 18.3 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists per game, scoring single digits in just one contest this season. Blackwell is providing 15.4 points per game, going for 10+ points in 7 of the last 8 games. These two have terrorized backcourts and will pose a tough task for Ohio State’s guards.

The Badgers also possess two trees, who hold down their front court in Winter and Crowl. At 6’11” and 7’0” respectively, their height and length will pose significant challenges for an undersized and under experienced Ohio State front court. Both average double figures in scoring and are proficient on the glass.

Ohio State Buckeyes:

The 10-6 Buckeyes could use a win of this magnitude badly, as they have struggled to close out wins against ranked opponents. The 2-point loss and collapse to Oregon is the most recent example.

Projected Starters:

Devin Royal – F, #21

Sean Stewart – F, #13

Micah Parrish – F, #8

Bruce Thornton – G, #2

John Mobley Jr. – G, #0

As Meechie Johnson remains away from the team, with unknown return date, the roles of John Mobley Jr. and Ques Glover have not only increased in volume, but importance. The absence has allowed Mobley to slide into a starting role, where he has continued to develop but not without struggle. The Freshman is averaging 12.2 points per game, however he has had to work for his points of late. He hasn’t shot over 30% from three-point range in five games knocking down only 9 of his last 27 attempts. Glover laid an egg against Oregon, going 0-6 from the field and recording just one positive stat, a lone rebound.

Aaron Bradshaw’s return to the team has also been much needed and valuable. However, he has cooled after his first two games back. He has struggled to earn back his starting role and increased playing time, providing just 2 points against Oregon. His transfer counterpart, Sean Stewart, did impress against Oregon. He scored 14 points, collected 9 rebound and recorded 2 steals and a block.

Bruce Thornton has continued to prove why is he regarded as one of the best in that nation. He  bounced back from a 10 point struggle against MSU to provide 18 and 20 in the past 2 games. His scoring average has dipped slightly to 17.1 PPG. He is also dishing out 4.4 assists and shooting 44% from long distance. Devin Royal has also continued to shine in 2nd season as a Buckeye. He provides 13.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Despite being a slightly undersized forward at just 6’6”, he has shown the ability to take it to anybody on the block. His high energy and intensity at all times has been uplifting for the whole roster. However, he did struggle against Oregon primarily due to fouls and turnovers, he also looks to bounce back.

The Buckeye have the pieces to be dangerous in the Big Ten, it all comes down to execution.

Prediction:

Ohio State is a 6.5 point road underdog, very fair for their current state. Barring an immaculate Ohio State performance I believe the Badgers will be too much to handle. The Buckeyes haven’t proven they can beat great teams on the road, hopefully they prove otherwise tonight

Score: Wisconsin 82, Ohio State 73

Featured image: Joseph Maiorana, Imagn Images