The Buckeyes are 7-4 in conference play, falling twice to Purdue and once to both Minnesota and Northwestern. MSU, on the other hand, sits at 2-5 in the conference, with their two wins coming against Rutgers and Nebraska. 

Michigan State is still working to straighten out their early-season kinks.

The Spartans have shown spurts of defensive power but struggle to keep it up consistently. Offensively, MSU has yet to find a consistent scorer and has struggled with no steady player at the point guard position. 

On the Buckeyes' side, E.J. Liddell leads the squad averaging 15 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Kyle Young also stands out on the Buckeyes, averaging 8.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game himself. 

As a team, OSU ranks fourth in the league in scoring offense and fifth in scoring defense. In current AP poll standings, Ohio State is the third highest-ranked Big Ten team at No. 13 out of the six conference teams currently ranked in the Top 25. 

MSU leads the overall series with OSU, 77-59, and has won the last four meetings with the Buckeyes, including a match last year that secured the Spartans' title as Big Ten regular-season champs.

However, on the road, the Spartans struggle. OSU has edged out MSU in Columbus, 39-25, all time. 

The Spartans will look to get back on track Sunday afternoon against the Buckeyes.