Michigan State vs Ohio State: 2018-19 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 15: Head Coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes shouts instructions to his team in the first half against the Bucknell Bisons on December 15, 2018 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Bucknell 73-71. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Ohio State looks to regain the magic they found this time last year as the Michigan State Spartans come to Columbus as a top ten team for the second year in a row.

TV Schedule: Saturday, Jan. 5th, 12:00 pm ET. FOX
Arena: Value City Arena, Columbus, Ohio

Sunday, January 7th, 2018. That was the date of one of the most memorable wins in recent Ohio State basketball history. The number one team in the country, the Michigan State Spartans, came into Columbus expecting to leave with a fairly easy win and Ohio State had other plans. The Buckeyes controlled the entire game and came out with an 80-64 win after a 32 point effort from future Big Ten player of the year Keita Bates-Diop.

Ohio State will look to pull off a similar upset almost one year later in the same building as eighth-ranked Michigan State comes into Columbus to take on the Buckeyes. Ohio State comes in riding a six-game winning streak and are 12-1 on the year and 2-0 in the Big Ten, while the Spartans are 12-2 and 3-0 in conference play and they are on a seven-game winning streak. So it looks like something has to give at noon in Columbus.

Michigan State comes into this game following a huge 81-55 win over Northwestern. They are led by guard Cassius Winston who is averaging 17.1 ppg and 7.8 assists per game and Kenny Goins who is averaging 9.4 rebounds per game. They also get solid contributions from Nick Ward who is averaging 16.4 ppg and 6.4 rpg and Joshua Langford who is averaging 15.0 ppg.

For Ohio State, They are led by Sophomore Kaleb Wesson who is averaging 16.5 ppg and 6.8 rpg. Also, senior guard CJ Jackson is averaging 13.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg and leads the team with 3.8 apg.

This game will be fun and intriguing on many different levels, but the most important one is offense vs defense. Michigan State is averaging an incredible 87.1 points per game and Ohio State is only giving up 61.9. If this game becomes a shootout and gets in the 80’s, the Spartans have a huge advantage.

Next. Keys for Michigan State vs. Ohio State. dark

However, if Ohio State can get some early stops and make it a lower scoring matchup, they have a better chance of putting enough points on the board to outlast the talented Spartans. The main matchup to watch in this one is the big men down low with Kaleb Wesson against Nick Ward and Kenny Goins.

Prediction: Ohio State 76, Michigan State 71

Home/Michigan State Spartans