John Mobley Jr.

Jake Diebler and the Ohio State Buckeyes came heartbreakingly close to securing a signature rivalry victory in the head coach’s first season, but ultimately fell short. In a fiercely contested matchup, No. 20 Michigan, the current Big Ten leader, edged out Ohio State with an 86-83 victory at Value City Arena.

The Wolverines dominated the glass, outrebounding the Buckeyes 46-31, with center Vladislav Goldin leading the charge with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Fellow seven-footer Danny Wolf contributed 17 points and 11 boards, proving to be a formidable presence in the paint.

For Ohio State, freshman Devin Royal showcased his talent with a career-best 26 points. Bruce Thornton added 17, while John Mobley Jr. chipped in 16. However, Thornton’s last-second shot to tie the game fell short, allowing Michigan to escape with the win.

The game started at a blistering pace, with both teams displaying precision and energy befitting the heated rivalry. Ohio State got off to a strong start behind three early buckets from Royal, including two from beyond the arc. Ques Glover added a three-pointer while drawing contact, helping the Buckeyes build an early 21-16 advantage. The intensity in the Schottenstein Center was palpable, particularly whenever Roddy Gayle Jr., who transferred from Ohio State to Michigan, touched the ball, receiving a chorus of boos from the home crowd.

Momentum shifted when Michigan went on an 8-0 run, reclaiming the lead. Ohio State responded as Thornton hit a tough baseline jumper to put the Buckeyes back ahead. However, offensive struggles emerged, with Ohio State missing nine consecutive shots. Fortunately for the Buckeyes, Michigan’s offense also stalled, and a Micah Parrish fast-break dunk kept the game within reach at 35-33. A late surge by the Wolverines, capped by a Goldin tip-in, gave Michigan a 44-39 halftime lead.

The second half saw the Wolverines repeatedly attempt to pull away, but Ohio State battled back each time. Wolf’s and-one layup extended Michigan’s lead, but Aaron Bradshaw answered with a powerful dunk through contact. Royal remained hot from deep, knocking down his third three-pointer without a miss. The Buckeyes clawed back as Mobley hit a pair of three-pointers, and Royal and Sean Stewart added baskets to tie the game at 61.

Thornton’s layup through a foul gave Ohio State its first lead of the second half, igniting the crowd. However, another cold stretch followed, with the Buckeyes going just 1-for-8 from the field, allowing Michigan to inch ahead 71-68. Bradshaw fouled out with over nine minutes remaining, limiting Ohio State’s interior defense.

Wolf continued to deliver for the Wolverines, converting difficult shots, yet the Buckeyes refused to back down. Royal electrified the arena with an alley-oop dunk off a Thornton feed, bringing Ohio State within two at 78-76. Thornton later tied the game with a floater, forcing Michigan head coach Dusty May to call a timeout to quiet the surging crowd.

The timeout proved beneficial for Michigan, as Gayle and Goldin combined to push the Wolverines ahead 84-80. Parrish answered with a clutch three-pointer, but Wolf’s late free throw extended Michigan’s lead to two. With one final chance to tie or win, Ohio State put the ball in Thornton’s hands. His mid-range jumper fell just short, sealing the Wolverines’ narrow victory as Rubin Jones secured the rebound.

Ohio State now looks to bounce back as it concludes a three-game homestand on Thursday against Northwestern, a team currently tied for 16th in the Big Ten. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on FS1.

The Buckeyes hold a 102-83 all-time record against Michigan. In an amusing turn of events, after fans expressed their disappointment in missing out on free Chick-fil-A in recent games, the threshold for team assists needed to earn the promotion was lowered from 16 to 12. At halftime, Ohio State honored former basketball captains from various decades, with notable alumni such as Scoonie Penn, JJ Sullinger, Terence Dials, and Aaron Craft among those in attendance.