Michigan State Hosts Ohio State in Big Ten Showdown

No. 15 Spartans look to continue home dominance over Buckeyes

Feb. 22, 2026 at 8:03pm

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No. 15 Michigan State will host Ohio State on Sunday afternoon in a pivotal Big Ten matchup at the Breslin Center. The Spartans come in having won their last game against UCLA, while the Buckeyes are looking to build on a recent victory over Wisconsin. Historically, Michigan State holds a significant advantage in the series, but the teams have split their last eight meetings. The Spartans are favored by 10.5 points, and the over/under is set at 147.5 points.

Why it matters

This game is crucial for both teams' Big Ten title hopes, as Michigan State looks to maintain its position near the top of the conference standings, while Ohio State aims to build momentum and make a late-season push. The Spartans' efficient offense, led by Jeremy Fears Jr., will be tested against the Buckeyes' inconsistent defense.

The details

Michigan State (21-5, 11-4 Big Ten) is coming off an 82-59 win over UCLA, while Ohio State (17-9, 9-6 Big Ten) defeated Wisconsin 86-69 in its last outing. The Spartans have a significant historical advantage in the series, with 44 wins to the Buckeyes' 23, but the teams have split their last eight meetings. Michigan State is a 10.5-point favorite, and the over/under is set at 147.5 points.

  • The game will tip off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
  • Michigan State won the last meeting between the two teams, 69-62, a year ago.

The players

Michigan State

The No. 15 ranked team in the country, with a 21-5 overall record and an 11-4 mark in Big Ten play.

Ohio State

The Buckeyes have a 17-9 overall record and a 9-6 conference record, but have been inconsistent, alternating wins and losses over their last nine games.

Jeremy Fears Jr.

The Spartans' starting point guard, who ranks nationally in assists per game (9.3).

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What they’re saying

“We must be prepared for a tough battle against a talented Ohio State team. They've shown the ability to beat anyone on any given night, so we'll need to bring our best effort to come out on top.”

— Tom Izzo, Head Coach, Michigan State

“This is a huge game for us as we try to climb the Big Ten standings. We know Michigan State is a tough opponent, but we're confident in our ability to compete and come away with a win.”

— Chris Holtmann, Head Coach, Ohio State

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a significant step towards securing a higher seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament.

The takeaway

This matchup between two of the Big Ten's top teams promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle, with both squads looking to gain an advantage in the conference standings and position themselves for a strong finish to the regular season.