Michigan State and Ohio State will meet for the first time on the hardwood this season Sunday on CBS in a pivotal Big Ten showdown with NCAA Tournament seeding and conference championship implications on the line. Both teams won earlier in the week, with Michigan State defeating UCLA and Ohio State beating Wisconsin, setting the stage for a competitive matchup in East Lansing.
Ohio State vs. Michigan State: Key Storylines
Michigan State enters Sunday’s game 3.5 games back of Michigan in the Big Ten standings and would likely need to win out to contend for the conference title. Ohio State has been inconsistent, alternating between wins and losses in its last nine games, but comes into the game off an 86-69 win over Wisconsin.
Michigan State has a strong home record this season, going 13-2 at the Breslin Center, with both losses coming against teams ranked in the top five. A win for the Spartans could significantly boost their NCAA Tournament prospects.
Fears’ Impact
Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. Leads his team in both minutes (31.6 per game) and points (15.1 per game) in addition to leading all of college basketball in assists (9.3 per game). He recently recorded his fourth consecutive double-double with 16 points and 10 assists against UCLA.
How to Watch
Date: Sunday, Feb. 22 | Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Breslin Center — East Lansing, Michigan
TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App, Paramount+ Premium
Prediction
Analysts predict Michigan State will win, and suggest betting on the Spartans to cover a 9-point spread. A key to victory for Michigan State may be slowing down Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is at stake in this game?
NCAA Tournament seeding and conference championship implications are on the line for both Michigan State and Ohio State.
How has Ohio State performed recently?
Ohio State has alternated between winning and losing in its last nine games.
Who leads Michigan State in scoring and assists?
Jeremy Fears Jr. Leads Michigan State in both points per game (15.1) and assists per game (9.3).
What impact will home-court advantage have on the outcome of this game?
Related reading