Eric Boggs
If Ohio State was going to take a meaningful step forward in its NCAA Tournament pursuit, protecting home court against a top-three opponent would have gone a long way toward strengthening its résumé. Instead, the Buckeyes took a sobering step backward Sunday afternoon, falling 82-61 to No. 2 Michigan in a game that underscored how thin the current margin for error has become.
Michigan entered the Schottenstein Center playing like a national title contender and left having imposed its will in nearly every phase. The Wolverines dominated the glass 44-31, controlled the paint, and shot efficiently from both two and three-point range. Ohio State simply could not match Michigan’s physicality or execution, particularly against 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara, who overwhelmed the Buckeyes with 24 points, six rebounds, and two blocked shots.
Ohio State briefly showed signs of life early, thanks almost entirely to Christoph Tilly. After Michigan opened with a 7-2 lead, Tilly connected on back-to-back three-pointers to pull the Buckeyes within one and momentarily energize the building. But once Michigan settled in, the gap between the two teams became increasingly evident.
Bruce Thornton and John Mobley Jr. struggled to find rhythm early, and although Thornton eventually sparked a brief push with three straight baskets to cut the deficit to 21-19, Michigan’s response was decisive. The Wolverines caught fire from beyond the arc, draining six of seven three-point attempts during a critical stretch while also feasting on second-chance opportunities. Michigan’s 12 offensive rebounds in the first half consistently punished Ohio State’s defensive possessions and fueled a double-digit halftime lead.
Ohio State went into the locker room trailing 44-34, still within theoretical striking distance but already showing signs of strain. Any hope of a second-half surge evaporated quickly. Michigan opened the period by pounding the interior through Mara and Yaxel Lendeborg, stretching the lead to 14 and then 15 as Ohio State struggled to generate clean looks.
Thornton continued to compete, scoring seven early second-half points to keep the Buckeyes afloat, but every Ohio State mini-run was answered by Mara, who asserted himself with authority around the rim. The Buckeyes never got back within single digits, and the game slipped fully out of reach when Michigan closed on another extended run, pushing the margin to 20 as audible “Let’s Go Blue” chants echoed inside Value City Arena.
Thornton finished with 16 points to lead Ohio State, while Devin Royal added 15, but the production came without the defensive stops or rebounding support needed to challenge an elite opponent. The absence of consistent interior resistance loomed large throughout the afternoon.
The loss drops Ohio State to 15-8 overall and 7-6 in Big Ten play, tightening the squeeze on a résumé that now leaves little room for missteps. With the Buckeyes firmly on the bubble, opportunities to offset this defeat will be limited and must be seized quickly.
Ohio State will look to regroup when it closes its homestand against USC, knowing every remaining game carries postseason weight. Wing Puff Johnson and forward Brandon Noel remained sidelined due to injury against Michigan, further testing the Buckeyes’ depth as the season enters its most critical stretch.
