After the game, Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo expressed his disappointment in his team’s efforts and lamented poor defense, mistakes on and off the court and a lack of leadership as all playing roles in the loss. 

“We did not play well enough in any area to win the game,” Izzo said. “(Michigan) did and they deserved to win.” 

Now, after bussing down to Columbus from Ann Arbor on Tuesday night, they’re onto their third game in six days with little time to prepare for an opponent they haven’t faced this season. 

Scouting the opponent

Ohio State (18-9, 11-7) hosts Michigan State after suffering off first consecutive losses of the season to Maryland and Nebraska. Currently tied for fourth in the league with Iowa, their game against the Spartans provides a chance for them to stay in the hunt for an elusive double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament after Wisconsin clinched the regular-season title with a win on Tuesday night against Purdue. 

The main story of the Buckeyes lies in the play of junior forward E.J. Liddell, yet another Big Ten Player of the Year and potential National Player of the Year candidate to face the Spartans this season. Averaging a team-best 19.6 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game, the numbers still fail to effectively tell the story for Liddell as a true go-to primary option who can and will beat just about any team in a variety of ways on both ends of the floor. 

While officially listed as a power forward, the 6’7, 240 pounds Liddell can switch over to the five and produce just as well as a scorer and defender in a relatively small lineup. Wisconsin sophomore guard Johnny Davis, Purdue sophomore guard Jaden Ivey and Illinois junior center Kofi Cockburn have all been on the shortlist for Big Ten Player of the Year honors this season and provided stout challenges for Michigan State in their respective matchups but Liddell has the skillset and resume to be one of their toughest guards this season. 

And yet, the Buckeyes boast another show-stopper in freshman guard Malaki Branham. Branham (12.6 points per game) has scored in double figures in seven of his last eight games and provided Ohio State with a dynamic and highly efficient presence at the wing that’s helped them down some of the best teams in the league, most notably with 31 points in an 86-83 win at Illinois on Feb. 24. 

From there, things get a little uneven. Senior guard Jamari Wheeler gives Ohio State a solid presence at the point while sophomore guard Eugene Brown III and graduate student guard Cedric Russell have seen a recent uptick in playing time without much of the production to show for it. Meanwhile, after flashing some enticing potential in the first quarter of the season with a game-winning three against Seton Hall on Nov. 22, 2021, freshman guard Meechie Johnson Jr. has battled injuries and typical underclassmen adjustments in the wake of his strong start. 

The Buckeyes may also be losing some of their size due to some recent injuries and illnesses. Sophomore forward Zed Key was unavailable for their game against Nebraska due to an ankle injury suffered against Maryland while graduate student forward Kyle Young exited the Nebraska game with eight minutes left due to an illness. Their statuses for Thursday’s game against Michigan State are currently unclear. 

Michigan State tips off against Ohio State at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.