Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal Game Thread: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan State Spartans

Following a double-bye, the Michigan State Spartans kick off Big Ten Tournament play today at 12:30 p.m. against the Ohio State Buckeyes. The game is broadcast on Big Ten Network, and your game thread platform is available right here on The Only Colors.

The Buckeyes held off the Indiana Hoosiers in their opener on Thursday, winning 79-75. OSU got its star big man, Kaleb Wesson, back from suspension and he made his presence felt right away with 17 points and 13 rebounds. MSU will have to have a solid game plan in place to limit Wesson’s impact today.

Ohio State beating Indiana is good news for Michigan State, however, as the Hoosiers swept the Spartans this season, while MSU swept OSU. For whatever reason, the Spartans just seem to matchup better with the Buckeyes.

Michigan State defeated Ohio State 86-77 in Columbus on Jan. 5. The Spartans were down seven at halftime, but outscored the Buckeyes 50-34 in the second half to win. Cassius Winston had 25 points, while Nick Ward dropped 21 points.

The second time around was an 18-point victory for MSU (62-44). However, Ohio State once again led at halftime. Saying Michigan State locked down the Buckeyes in the second half is an understatement. MSU held OSU to a ridiculous 13 points in the last 20 minutes, and won going away. This was also the game Nick Ward broke his hand in.

After nearly a month off, Ward is expected to return to the court today in some capacity. It seems fitting that his first game back is against the Buckeyes — the very team that he suffered the injury against.

This is also an important game for Ohio State, as it looks to secure a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Look for them to come out motivated and ready to play against the Big Ten’s No. 1 seed.

For more check out the following articles (so much basketball content):

• Big Ten Tournament Primer
• Basketball Roundup: Post Regular Season
• The Only Predictions: Big Ten Tournament
• Spartan Bracketology Before Selection Sunday
• March Memories of the Izzo era
• The Only Podcast (3/12)
• Five Spartans receive Big Ten honors
• Cassius Winston wins Big Ten Player of the Year...and he absolutely deserves it.
• Michigan State lands three-star power forward Julius Marble
• The Spartans repeat as Big Ten Champs

Go Green!