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No. 3 Michigan vs No. 4 Ohio State: 5 key storylines for huge Big Ten clash

By Tristan Freeman

Mar 1, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Isaiah Livers (2) drives as Ohio State Buckeyes guard Duane Washington Jr. (4)defends during the first half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Isaiah Livers (2) drives as Ohio State Buckeyes guard Duane Washington Jr. (4)defends during the first half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ohio State Buckeyes CJ Walker Michigan Wolverines Eli Brooks Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State Buckeyes CJ Walker Michigan Wolverines Eli Brooks Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

Rightfully so, a lot of the attention on this 2020-21 NCAA Basketball has been on the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Baylor Bears. Both are still unbeaten on the season and have remained the No. 1 and 2 teams in the polls. There has been plenty of banter regarding which teams are the most likely to defeat each of them in the NCAA Tournament besides each other. Two teams who are facing each other on Sunday, Michigan and Ohio State, are two who have that kind of potential.

After being on a long pause due to covid protocols from the school itself, Michigan (14-1, 9-1) has won the last two games this week. The first came in an impressive eight-point win at Wisconsin, before beating Rutgers on Thursday, 71-64. Franz Wagner led all scorers in the game with 20 points, with Mike Smith chipping in with 12.

Ohio State (18-4, 12-4) had a more difficult time on Thursday against Penn State, trailing in the second half in what ended up being a high-scoring affair. But 23 points from EJ Liddell and 21 and four made three-pointers Duane Washington Jr. propelled the Buckeyes to a 92-82 road victory. These wins give both programs momentum towards the massive Sunday matchup at CBS at 1:00 pm ET.

This will be the most high-profile matchup since when Gonzaga defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes in December. But I have a feeling that this one will end up a lot closer. And with plenty of implications for whoever wins or loses, expect it to be a rock-fight. Here is a look at five storylines to watch for this game

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