Purdue vs. Ohio State basketball prediction: Who is winning, how to watch, and more

The first week of March starts with a Big Ten game: No. 8 Purdue Boilermakers travel to Columbus to play the Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday. This game is very important for both teams since it might change their prospects of making the NCAA Tournament and their bubble hopes.

Purdue is 22-6 overall and 12-5 in conference play going into the game. Ohio State, sitting at 17-11 (9-8 Big Ten), is fighting to strengthen its resume and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament field. The Buckeyes have won the last two meetings under head coach Jake Diebler, adding extra motivation for the Boilermakers.

The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS, with Kevin Harlan and Robbie Hummel on the call. Fans can also stream the matchup on the Paramount app.

The most crucial player for Purdue is senior guard Braden Smith. He gets 14.8 points and 8.8 assists per game, and he just reached 1,000 career assists, which is a rare feat in college basketball. He is the driving force behind Matt Painter’s offense because he can control the pace of the game and create scoring chances.

Fletcher Loyer can shoot from the outside, hitting more than 40% of his three-point shots. Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff give the team bulk and rebounding inside.

The balanced scoring assault of Purdue is one of the strongest in the Big Ten.

Bruce Thornton, who is averaging 20 points per game, is one of the best scorers in the conference for Ohio State. Thornton can score from wherever on the court and can take over games, like he did with 32 points against Michigan State. The Buckeyes still need more depth, but Devin Royal and John Mobley Jr. help out on offense.

Injury-wise, center Christoph Tilly’s availability remains uncertain, which could impact Ohio State’s interior defense against Purdue’s size.

This game should be close, especially because Ohio State is playing at home and has done well against Purdue in the past with Diebler. But Purdue has the upper hand because of their experience, size, and leadership in the backcourt.

If the Boilermakers establish control in the paint and limit turnovers, they should be able to quiet the Columbus crowd. Ohio State will need a big scoring night from Thornton and improved defensive discipline to pull off the upset.

Prediction: Purdue 78, Ohio State 72

With March Madness around the corner, both teams understand what’s at stake and Purdue’s consistency and depth may prove decisive in this Big Ten battle.