Ohio State Eyes Role as Disrupter vs. No. 20 Michigan

Rivalry Renewed: Buckeyes Look to Spoil Wolverines’ Big Ten Hopes

Records rarely matter when Ohio State and Michigan face off, no matter the sport. That sentiment will be on full display Sunday in Columbus as unranked Ohio State (15-10, 7-7 Big Ten) looks to shake up the conference standings with an upset over No. 20 Michigan (19-5, 11-2).

The Wolverines, led by first-year head coach Dusty May, have been the surprise of the Big Ten, rising from last place a year ago to the top of the standings. They extended their winning streak to five games on Tuesday, defeating No. 7 Purdue 75-73 in a thriller. Now, Michigan looks to keep its championship hopes alive with another tough road test.

Ohio State, meanwhile, is embracing its role as a disruptor in this rivalry matchup.

“I don’t believe in minimizing that game and this rivalry,” Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler said. “We’ll certainly talk, and there’s even an educational component to this game to make sure our guys understand the history of this game. … This is a rivalry game, and we’ll embrace everything that comes with that.”

Michigan’s Remarkable Turnaround Under Dusty May

Michigan’s transformation under May has been one of the biggest storylines in college basketball. Just a season ago, the Wolverines finished last in the Big Ten (8-24, 3-17) under Juwan Howard. Now, they are one of the top teams in the conference and playing for a potential No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament.

“We’ve got some tough games in front of us,” May said. “But this is exciting to be in mid-February playing extremely meaningful games, competing for a championship with programs, coaches, and players that are at the top of college basketball.”

One subplot making Sunday’s game even more intriguing? May was rumored to be a top candidate for the Ohio State head coaching job after Chris Holtmann was fired. However, Diebler impressed as interim coach, leading the Buckeyes to a 6-2 record before being named the full-time coach in March 2024.

A week later, May was hired by Michigan, adding more spice to this rivalry showdown.

Roddy Gayle Jr.’s Homecoming Adds Extra Drama

Adding another layer to this matchup is Roddy Gayle Jr., who played two seasons at Ohio State before transferring to Michigan this past offseason.

Gayle started the first 21 games of the season for the Wolverines but was recently moved to a bench role. He responded in a big way against Purdue, scoring 14 points, his best output since mid-January.

“Obviously everyone has seen that Roddy hasn’t been as good as we know he is,” Michigan center Danny Wolf said. “I don’t want to say slump, but everyone goes through it throughout the season. The way that guy’s bounced back, it makes me so happy, and we know that Roddy is someone you want to have in your locker room.”

Gayle is averaging 10.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, and he’ll certainly be looking to make a statement in his return to Columbus.

Micah Parrish Leading Ohio State’s Charge

Ohio State enters the game playing some of its best basketball of the season. The Buckeyes have won two straight, including a dominant 93-69 victory over Washington on Thursday, led by transfer guard Micah Parrish.

Parrish, who previously played at San Diego State, is coming off back-to-back 20+ point performances for the first time in his career. He dropped 30 points at Nebraska before adding 21 points against Washington.

“When we recruited Micah, we really wanted him to have a good opportunity (offensively),” Diebler said. “I think that is what made Ohio State special for him. … He’s playing confident, and we have great confidence in him.”

With Parrish surging and Ohio State playing at home, the Buckeyes are more than capable of pulling off the upset.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Roddy Gayle Jr. vs. Ohio State’s Defense – How will Buckeye fans greet their former player, and can they limit his scoring?
• Micah Parrish vs. Michigan’s Perimeter Defense – Parrish is on fire. If Michigan can’t slow him down, Ohio State has a real shot.
• Dusty May vs. Jake Diebler – Two first-year head coaches on opposite sides of the rivalry, both with something to prove.

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Will Ohio State Play Spoiler, or Can Michigan Keep Rolling?

This game means everything for both teams—but for different reasons. Michigan is fighting to stay atop the Big Ten standings, while Ohio State is looking to disrupt its biggest rival’s momentum and improve its own tournament resume.

With Dusty May’s Big Ten title chase, Roddy Gayle Jr.’s return, and Ohio State’s recent hot streak, this game has all the makings of a classic Ohio State-Michigan battle.

Can the Buckeyes flip the script and take down their biggest rival? Or will the Wolverines prove they belong at the top of the Big Ten?

One thing is certain—this rivalry never disappoints.