Wisconsin vs. Ohio State Basketball Preview: Can the Badgers Stay Hot in Columbus?
Wisconsin heads to Ohio State looking for a season sweep, while the banged-up Buckeyes try to stop the bleeding.
After Friday night’s historic 21-point drubbing of Michigan State, the Wisconsin basketball team has officially put the Big Ten on notice. The Badgers are a serious contender for a double-bye in the quickly approaching Big Ten Tournament.
Now, the challenge is maintaining that intensity on the road. Wisconsin travels to Columbus for a Tuesday night clash against an Ohio State team that is reeling from a tough non-conference loss to Virginia in Nashville and the loss of John Mobley Jr. to injury.
Game Info
Matchup: Wisconsin Badgers (18-7, 10-4 B1G) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (16-9, 8-6 B1G)
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM CT
Location: Value City Arena – Columbus, OH
TV: FS1
Radio: Badger Radio Network
The Line: Wisconsin -3.5 | Total: 142.5
The Injury Report: Buckeyes Shorthanded
The headline heading into this matchup is the Buckeyes' health. Ohio State announced that sophomore guard John Mobley Jr. is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery for a hand injury.
This is a massive loss for Ohio State. Mobley was the team’s second-leading scorer (15.1 ppg) and their most dangerous perimeter threat. His absence compounds the issues for head coach Jake Diebler, who has been without transfer forward Brandon Noel (foot) since early January.
Players to Watch
Wisconsin: Nick Boyd
Is there a hotter player in the country right now? The Wisconsin guard has been on a tear, averaging over 20 points per game and scoring 20+ in seven straight contests. Boyd’s ability to create his own shot will be vital against an Ohio State defense that will likely try to muck up the game to compensate for their lack of offensive firepower.
Ohio State: Bruce Thornton
With Mobley and Noel out, the entire offensive load now falls squarely on Bruce Thornton. The senior captain dropped 28 points in Saturday’s loss to Virginia, practically willing his team to stay competitive. He is the sole focus of Greg Gard’s defensive game plan. I would look for Wisconsin to trap him on ball screens and force the Buckeyes’ role players—like freshman Amare Bynum—to beat them.
Storylines to Watch
Fatigue Factor?
While Wisconsin was resting on Saturday and Sunday after their Friday win, Ohio State was in a dogfight against #15 Virginia in Nashville on Saturday night. The Buckeyes lost 70-66 in a physical, grind-it-out game. The Badgers got an extra day of rest after playing in a game they were in control of from start to finish.
The 3-Point Disparity
Without Mobley (40% 3FG), Ohio State lacks a consistent spacer to punish Wisconsin for packing the paint. On the other hand, the Badgers just hit 15 threes against the Spartans. If Boyd, John Blackwell, and the Badgers can get hot from deep early, the Buckeyes may not have the offensive horses to keep up.
Prediction
I could see this game turning into a ‘grind-it-out’ game for the Badgers. Ohio State will likely try to slow the pace to protect its shortened rotation. Bruce Thornton is good enough to keep them competitive for 30 minutes, but the loss of Mobley removes the Buckeyes’ best counter-punch.
Wisconsin has too many weapons right now. Look for Nick Boyd to continue his tear and for the Badgers’ depth—and rest advantage—to wear down the Buckeyes late in the second half.
Plus, with the way the Wisconsin offense has been going, I wouldn’t dare go against the Badgers right now. Wisconsin pulls away in the second half and wins comfortably by double digits.
Final Score: Wisconsin 83, Ohio State 71
Continue Reading:
Badgers Dismantle No. 10 Michigan State 92-71 Behind Boyd’s 29 Points
After weeks of living on the edge, the Wisconsin basketball team didn’t need any late-game heroics on Friday night. They delivered a historic beatdown.
The Wisconsin Badgers "What If" Series — Ch. 2: What If the Refs Got it Right? The Blown Call That Cost Wisconsin a National Title—and Changed the Program Forever
For many Wisconsin basketball fans, this isn’t just a “what if”—it’s a “what should have been.” If Chapter 1 was a fun fantasy about J.J. Watt, Chapter 2 is a deep dive into one of the most controversial moments in NCAA Championship history.
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You sort of missed on your projection 🤣