wisconsin vs ohio state: Buckeyes cruise to 86-69 win over No. 24 Badgers in Columbus
Columbus — The Buckeyes turned a fast start into a steady blowout Tuesday evening ET, beating No. 24 Wisconsin 86-69 and handing the Badgers a damaging road loss in Big Ten play. Ohio State's perimeter barrage and early defensive control put Wisconsin on its heels for most of the night.
How the game unfolded
Ohio State set the tone early, opening with a flurry from beyond the arc to build a double-digit lead in the first half. The Buckeyes shot efficiently in the opening 20 minutes, hitting at a high clip from the floor and cruising into the break with a comfortable margin. Wisconsin never led for more than a handful of seconds and struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm against the Buckeye defenders.
The home team finished with 11 made three-pointers, converting at better than a 50 percent rate in stretches, while Wisconsin could only muster 7 of 26 from long range. Wisconsin’s usual three-point production dried up, and that cold stretch materially altered the balance of the game. Fatigue showed at the free-throw line as well, with Wisconsin making just 8 of 16 attempts, a factor that compounded the Badgers’ uphill climb late.
Key performers and pivotal numbers
Ohio State’s perimeter shooting was the decisive element. Multiple players knocked down timely triples — one guard in particular finished with four made threes and others added three apiece — creating separation and forcing the Badgers into rushed possessions. The Buckeyes shot a blistering percentage early and repeatedly converted good looks.
Wisconsin had a few bright spots but lacked collective firepower from deep outside of one wing who connected consistently. The starters combined for just two makes from three on a dozen attempts until garbage time. Ball security became an issue too: two primary ball-handlers each turned it over three times, and another guard was pulled early in the second half after careless passes and quick fouls. Those miscues made a comeback improbable once the deficit grew.
Defensively, the Buckeyes forced Wisconsin into a series of contested shots and rushed drives. When Ohio State hit threes in bunches, the Badgers' margin for error evaporated. The visitors did not get the fast second-half start they needed to narrow the gap, and the scoreboard reflected that imbalance by the final buzzer.
Implications moving forward
The loss will sting for Wisconsin, which entered the week riding momentum from wins over conference opponents and a No. 24 ranking announced the day before. The defeat likely costs the Badgers a Quad 1 opportunity on the road, leaving a more conservative path for resume-building before the regular-season finale.
For the Buckeyes, the victory at home reinforces the team’s strength when shots are falling and ball movement is crisp. The win should boost confidence in close of conference play and provide a blueprint: aggressive perimeter attack, early defensive intensity, and limiting opponent second-chance points. Both teams now shift focus toward the remainder of Big Ten play and positioning for postseason seeding, with Wisconsin needing to regain its three-point touch and tighten ball security to bounce back.
Final score: Ohio State 86, Wisconsin 69. The loss leaves the Badgers looking for answers on the road while the Buckeyes celebrate a convincing late-season statement win.
