wisconsin vs ohio state: Buckeyes rout No. 24 Badgers 86-69 in key Big Ten road win
Ohio State dominated from the opening minutes Tuesday evening (ET), handing No. 24 Wisconsin an 86-69 defeat that halted the Badgers' hot stretch and left them searching for answers before the regular-season home finale. The Buckeyes' barrage from long range and a decisive first-half surge set the tone in a game Wisconsin led for only 44 seconds.
Ohio State's perimeter barrage and first-half control
The Buckeyes made perimeter shooting the difference early and often. Ohio State connected on 11 three-pointers, hitting at an outstanding clip that forced the Badgers into a catch-up posture. Devin Royal supplied immediate offense with multiple early triples and a quick run that had him outscoring Wisconsin on his own through a portion of the first half. Amare Bynum and Bruce Thornton also made significant contributions from deep, helping the Buckeyes push a double-digit advantage before halftime.
Ohio State controlled pace and ball movement, finishing the first half with efficient field-goal and three-point percentages that left Wisconsin struggling to find consistent defensive answers. That early dominance—marked by crisp passing and high-percentage looks from beyond the arc—built a lead the Buckeyes would maintain and grow in the second half.
Badgers' cold shooting, turnovers and late-game fatigue
Wisconsin's normally reliable three-point attack went cold at the worst possible time. The Badgers finished 7 of 26 from long range, with most starters combining for only two makes on 12 attempts until a late make by John Blackwell. Outside of Braeden Carrington, the rest of the perimeter unit struggled to find rhythm, and several excellent looks rimmed out.
Turnovers compounded Wisconsin's problems. Nick Boyd and John Blackwell each had multiple giveaways, and careless passes early and late in possessions repeatedly cut off potential scoring opportunities. Fatigue showed at the free-throw line as well; the Badgers made just eight of 16 attempts, a shortcoming that underscored how the game slipped away when they could not sustain defensive stops or secure easy points at the stripe.
Coaching staff changes to rotation and quick bench decisions during the second half reflected the struggle to slow the Buckeyes' momentum. A group that had won big games in recent weeks could not replicate that energy on the road, and the slow start left too much ground to make up.
Implications and what's next
The loss drops Wisconsin to 18-8 overall and 10-5 in conference play and removes a likely Quad 1A win from their remaining regular-season resume. For a Badgers team that had climbed into the Top 25 earlier in the week, the defeat is a sobering reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in conference play.
For Ohio State, the victory reinforces the value of hot shooting and early control in home-court environments; the Buckeyes demonstrated they can capitalize on defensive lapses and convert them into a comfortable margin. Both teams will need to address specific issues before the next slate of conference matchups: Wisconsin must regain perimeter consistency and clean up turnovers, while Ohio State will look to maintain its offensive balance and defensive focus.
As the Big Ten heads into the final stretch of the regular season, Tuesday's clash served as a clear example of how momentum, shooting variance and early-game execution can determine outcomes. The Badgers still have opportunities to rebound, but the road back begins with correcting the mistakes that allowed a fast-starting Buckeye team to seize control on the road.
