- Matchup: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan State Spartans
- Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026
- Venue: Breslin Center, East Lansing, MI
- Broadcast: ESPN+
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The Michigan State Spartans (21-5) are set to face off against the Ohio State Buckeyes (17-9) at Breslin Center this Sunday.
In their most recent game, the Ohio State Buckeyes secured a win against the Wisconsin Badgers, triumphing with a score of 86-69. The Buckeyes recorded 16 fouls compared to Wisconsin’s 19, and completed 7 out of 26 attempts from 3-point range. Meanwhile, Wisconsin struggled at the free-throw line, converting only 8 of 16 shots. Collectively, Wisconsin gathered 27 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards, but did not record any blocks. They also provided 13 assists and made 4 steals in the game. Defensively, Ohio State held Wisconsin to a shooting percentage of 45.8%, allowing them to hit 27 of 59 shots. The Buckeyes achieved 16 assists, forced 11 turnovers, and made 3 steals. Additionally, the team grabbed a total of 33 rebounds, with 9 coming from the offensive end. At the free-throw line, Ohio State converted 13 of 19 attempts, resulting in a conversion rate of 68.4%. Overall, Ohio State had a 54.4% field goal percentage, making 31 shots from 57 attempts, including 11 out of 21 from beyond the arc.
Bruce Thornton was a standout performer, contributing 27 points on 9 of 18 shooting. He played 37 minutes, collected 9 rebounds, and finished with 8 assists while maintaining a shooting efficiency of 50.0%.
Ohio State enters this contest with a season record of 17-9. The team averages 10.7 turnovers and commits around 17.8 fouls per game. As a unit, the Buckeyes snag 34.7 rebounds per matchup and have dished out 385 assists this season, ranking 153rd in the nation in assists. Ohio State makes 34.9% of their three-point attempts (206 of 590) and has a free-throw percentage of 78.3%. They average 81.2 points per game, positioning them 74th in the country, while boasting a shooting percentage of 49.0% from the field.
Defensively, Ohio State forces opponents into an average of 11.0 turnovers per game while drawing 19.2 fouls. They currently rank 130th in Division I for assists allowed, surrendering a total of 340 this season. The Buckeyes are allowing a shooting percentage of 43.2% (665 of 1,539) and grab 32.2 rebounds on average each game. They limit opponents to 30.9% on 3-point attempts and rank 166th nationally in points allowed per game (73.4).
In their last matchup, the Michigan State Spartans defeated UCLA, finishing with a score of 82-59. The Spartans collected 27 defensive rebounds and 7 offensive boards, tallying a total of 34 rebounds. They turned the ball over 13 times but also recorded 5 steals in that game. UCLA committed 18 fouls, allowing Michigan State to shoot 11 free throws, of which they made 10 for a success rate of 90.9%. From long-range, the Spartans sank 14 out of 27 attempts (51.9%). Overall, Michigan State shot 29 for 55 from the field, achieving a shooting percentage of 52.7%. They allowed UCLA to connect on 21 of 57 shots for a percentage of 36.8%. The Spartans finished shooting 32.0% from beyond the arc, making 8 of 25 attempts, and shot 75.0% from the charity stripe (9 of 12). Defensively, Michigan State allowed UCLA to collect 26 total rebounds (8 from the offensive end).
Coen Carr emerged as a key player for the Spartans, scoring 16 points in 27 minutes of play while contributing 2 assists. He made 7 of 11 shots for an efficiency of 63.6%, alongside grabbing 3 rebounds.
This season, Michigan State holds a record of 21-5. Offensively, the Spartans are shooting at an impressive 46.8% from the field, placing them 93rd nationally. They have amassed 2,052 points overall, averaging 78.9 points per game, and they secure 41.1 rebounds each game. They dish out an average of 18.6 assists (10th in the nation) while turning the ball over 11.9 times per contest. Michigan State commits 16.3 personal fouls on average and their free-throw success rate is 75.8%.
Defensively, the Spartans rank 23rd in college basketball, allowing just 66.4 points per game. They force opponents into 10.4 turnovers per game and allow a field-goal percentage of 39.6% (17th nationally). Michigan State allows opponents to shoot 31.4% from three-point range (216 of 687) and their rivals convert 74.6% of free-throw attempts. They limit teams to an average of 12.8 assists and allow 28.6 total rebounds per game, ranking 133rd and 2nd in the NCAA respectively.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s NCAA game against the spread?
Prediction: Bet on Michigan State
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