The first hoops game of 2025 features the Spartans coming to Columbus.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Ohio State men’s basketball vs. Michigan State: Game preview and prediction
The Buckeyes will host the Tom Izzo led Spartans to open up the new year and conference play.
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Ohio State men’s basketball vs. Michigan State: Game preview and prediction
The Buckeyes will host the Tom Izzo led Spartans to open up the new year and conference play.Preview
Michigan State only has one player averaging double digits, but it has eight players averaging six points or more per game. In an impressive display of depth, it also has ten players averaging 14 or more minutes per game.Senior guard Jaden Akins is averaging 13.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Freshman guard Jase Richardson, the son of former NBA player and Michigan State great Jason Richardson, is averaging 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.
Transfer senior forward Frankie Fidler averages 9.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, while sophomore Coen Carr averages 8.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. Spartan big man Jaxon Kohler averages 8.1 points and a team-high 8.4 rebounds per game.
Freshman guard Jeremy Fears Jr. averages 7.4 points and 5.9 assists per game as the Spartans’ main ball handler. Tre Holloman and Xavier Booker average 7.4 and 6.4 points per game, respectively.
Michigan State is ranked No. 20 overall on KenPom, No. 33 in offensive efficiency rating, and No. 17 in defensive efficiency rating. Ohio State is ranked No. 28 overall, No. 24 in offensive efficiency rating, and No. 36 in defensive efficiency rating.
The Buckeyes are led by junior guard Bruce Thornton, who is averaging 17.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. He is having his most efficient season, shooting 55.8 percent from the field, 49 percent from three-point range, and 82.9 percent from the free-throw line. He also leads the Buckeyes with 32.9 minutes per game and is the only Buckeye playing over 30 minutes a game.
Thornton, a three-year captain, is coming off back-to-back 30-point performances, with 30 points in the win against Kentucky and 33 points against Indiana State. He is the first Buckeye to record back-to-back 30-point performances since Evan Turner.
Thornton is eighth in the conference in scoring, at 17.4 points per game, and is ninth in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio, at 3.71.
Sophomore forward Devin Royal continues his breakout season, averaging 14.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, which leads the team. Royal shoots 60.2 percent from the field and 73 percent from the free-throw line. He also leads the team with 1.2 steals per game.
Freshman phenom John Mobley Jr. averages 12.2 points per game and is shooting 47.8 percent from three-point range. He is going through a bit of a slump, shooting just 2-for-13 from beyond the arc over the last two games.
Micah Parrish is averaging 9.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, but did not play in the Buckeyes’ win over Indiana State after suffering an ankle injury against Kentucky. Sophomore center Aaron Bradshaw is averaging 9.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game and has been a huge spark for the Buckeyes since returning from a prolonged absence due to a university investigation.
Ques Glover has only played five games after dealing with an injury, but he is averaging 7.0 points per game on 56 percent shooting from the field and 55 percent from three-point range.
Sean Stewart is averaging 5.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, while Evan Mahaffey is averaging 5.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.
Prediction
This game could come down to perimeter shooting. Ohio State is one of the top three-point shooting teams in the conference at 39.6 percent, while Michigan State is one of the worst at 28.8 percent. Ohio State is also No. 17 in the country in three-point percentage, while Michigan State is No. 335.Ohio State will have to be able to get something going in the paint to win this game. They have been able to generate more paint touches since Aaron Bradshaw returned to the lineup, and Sean Stewart continues to improve, but the Buckeyes need to show that they can consistently win games when their three-point shot is not there.
Also, Michigan State is a great offensive-rebounding team, so it will be key to keep them off the glass and not let them get second-chance opportunities. And not to turn the ball over.
ESPN BPI: Ohio State 59.0%
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
LGHL score prediction: Ohio State 78, Michigan State 71
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buckeyeintn
Legend
Buckeyes 6 fouls, Sparty 1, and Izzo was telling his players in the huddle the Bucks were fouling them but not getting called. Right.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Ohio State needs to hold on to the ball. Five turnovers in last 6 possessions. Not good.
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These are important games and certainly one the Buckeyes need to win if they want to contend in the BIG. This is not a great MSU team and one they should be able to compete with.
Shooting 37% to their 48% needs to get turned around.
Shooting 37% to their 48% needs to get turned around.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Buckeyes on a run and take the lead.