Buckeyes battle top-ranked Michigan in the 2026 Big Ten Tournament to the end, losing 71-67

#3-B.Thornton led the Buckeyes in scoring with 22. The Wolverines were led by #15-A. Mara with 17. Ohio State shot 33% from 3, missing a few late that would have put them tied or in the lead. With the win, the #1-seeded Wolverines will face the Badgers of Wisconsin in the Semi-finals Saturday in Chicago. Wisc defeated Illinois in an OT thriller 91-88.

Even with the loss, Ohio State should be in the NCAA tournament after missing the last 3 years.

photos by FWSJ Photographer Olivia White (Penn State)