wisconsin vs ohio state: Buckeyes Dominate No. 24 Badgers 86-69 in Tuesday Night Showdown
On Tuesday night (ET) the Ohio State Buckeyes turned a highly anticipated Big Ten matchup into a one-sided affair, handing No. 24 Wisconsin an 86-69 loss in Columbus. Ohio State's hot shooting from long range and a frenetic early tempo put the Badgers on their heels, while Wisconsin's off-night from deep and a flurry of turnovers sealed the outcome.
Buckeyes' early barrage from three sets the tone
Ohio State established control almost immediately by opening the game with efficient, wide-open looks from beyond the arc. The Buckeyes hit 11 triples on the night and shot north of 50 percent from three in stretches, using perimeter accuracy to build a double-digit lead before Wisconsin could settle in. A quick first-half run pushed the margin to 24-12 and forced the Badgers into a reactive posture for much of the evening.
Key Ohio State contributors supplied the long-range offense. Devin Royal provided an early scoring burst, including several vital triples, while Amare Bynum and Bruce Thornton each sank multiple threes that punctuated the Buckeyes' offensive rhythm. Ohio State moved the ball well, generating high-quality opportunities and converting at an efficient clip from the field, especially in the first half.
Badgers' shooting slump, turnovers and fatigue compound problems
Wisconsin arrived in Columbus riding a wave of momentum but failed to replicate recent offensive consistency. The Badgers, who had been thriving from deep in recent weeks, went 7-of-26 from three-point range and saw most of the shooting production come from reserve Braeden Carrington. Starters managed just two makes on 12 attempts from long distance, and that lack of perimeter scoring made it difficult to chase down Ohio State's lead.
Free throws and ball security further undermined Wisconsin's bid for a comeback. The Badgers converted only 8 of 16 attempts from the line, an uncharacteristic mark that highlighted both fatigue and missed opportunities in a game where every point mattered. Turnovers also crept back into the rotation at inopportune times: a handful of careless miscues hampered second-half possessions, and several players were pulled from the lineup after costly errors. Wisconsin led for a mere 44 seconds all night, illustrating how quickly the game slipped away.
Implications and the path forward for both teams
The defeat drops Wisconsin to 18-8 overall and 10-5 in conference play, dimming a chance to land what would have been a resume-boosting Quad 1A victory. The Badgers now face a stretch that includes another high-stakes matchup against conference rivals, and regaining perimeter accuracy and limiting turnovers will be paramount to their hopes down the stretch.
For Ohio State, the win reinforced strengths that have surfaced at home this season: aggressive three-point shooting, crisp ball movement and the ability to capitalize on an opponent's slippage. Winning a road-test atmosphere against a ranked opponent provides momentum as the Buckeyes continue Big Ten play. Coaches on both sides will walk away with clear takeaways—one about sustaining shooting volume and defensive discipline, the other about fixing situational mistakes and closing out possessions at the free-throw line.
Tuesday's result reshapes the immediate landscape in the conference race and serves as a reminder that hot shooting nights can tilt a game early. With the regular season winding toward its crescendo, both programs have tangible areas to correct and capitalize on before postseason positioning is finalized.
