Buckeyes Dominate at Home as wisconsin vs ohio state Ends 86-69
Ohio State built an early lead and never let up Tuesday night (ET), rolling to an 86-69 victory over No. 24 Wisconsin. The win featured a barrage from beyond the arc and exposed the Badgers’ struggles with turnovers and free throws, leaving Wisconsin with a damaging road loss as Big Ten play ramps up.
Buckeyes’ hot shooting sets tone
Ohio State opened the game with an aggressive pace and accurate perimeter shooting that put Wisconsin on its heels. The Buckeyes hit 11 three-pointers overall, converting at a blistering 52. 4 percent clip from long range. Multiple players stepped up from deep—Devin Royal was especially lethal early, piling up points that helped Ohio State jump to a 24-12 advantage in the first half.
That early surge was decisive. The Buckeyes shot 51. 7 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes and forced Wisconsin into a reactive stance for much of the night. Ohio State’s ball movement and willingness to attack the arc repeatedly created high-quality looks, and the visitors paid the price for their inability to find a consistent answer.
Wisconsin’s misses and miscues
The Badgers, ranked No. 24 on Monday, came into the matchup riding momentum from recent wins but never found their rhythm in Columbus. Wisconsin finished 7-of-26 from three, and beyond Braeden Carrington the long-range game was mostly quiet. The starters combined for just two makes on 12 attempts from deep, with one of those late in garbage time.
Fatigue and poor execution also crept into Wisconsin’s play. The Badgers made only 8 of 16 attempts from the free-throw line, and a string of careless possessions prevented any meaningful comeback. Turnovers piled up at key moments—Nick Boyd and John Blackwell each committed three turnovers, and Andrew Rohde was pulled in the second half after ill-timed errors. Wisconsin led for a mere 44 seconds across the entire contest, a sign of how quickly momentum tilted and how hard it became for the visitors to regain traction.
What this means for both teams
The loss will sting for Wisconsin: it was a chance to collect a high-quality road victory and build Quadrant 1 credentials late in the regular season. Instead, the Badgers leave Columbus with an 18-8 overall mark and 10-5 in conference play, facing a stretch that now lacks a likely Quad 1A opportunity before the regular-season finale.
For Ohio State, the victory underscores the team’s ability to control tempo at home and punish opponents who struggle to defend the perimeter. The Buckeyes improved their standing with a confident offensive performance that relied on depth and hot shooting, reinforcing their posture as a dangerous matchup in the league’s postseason picture.
Both clubs will regroup quickly; the Big Ten schedule affords little time for reflection. Wisconsin must find ways to shore up ball security and get its shooters more consistent looks, while Ohio State will look to sustain its momentum and perimeter efficiency as the league race tightens down the stretch.
