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Michigan State Narrowly Defeats Ohio State in Lackluster Performance
Spartans struggle to build momentum ahead of crucial road games against Purdue and Indiana
Feb. 23, 2026 at 2:18am
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Michigan State won its second straight home game against Ohio State, but the 66-60 victory was far from impressive. The Spartans struggled to make shots, defend the ball screen, and limit turnovers, failing to build on their strong performance against UCLA earlier in the week. Despite the win, there are concerns about Michigan State's ability to perform well on the road, which could impact their NCAA Tournament seeding.
Why it matters
Michigan State's narrow win over Ohio State raises questions about the team's ability to build momentum and perform consistently, especially with a challenging road schedule ahead. The Spartans' struggles in this game could hurt their chances of securing a favorable NCAA Tournament seed if they can't turn things around on the road.
The details
Michigan State came into the game looking to build on a strong win over UCLA, but they struggled in multiple areas against Ohio State. The Spartans had difficulty making shots, defending the ball screen, and limiting turnovers, which led to a lackluster performance that failed to engage the home crowd. However, senior captain Carson Cooper provided a much-needed scoring boost, recording a career-high 20 points and a double-double. Freshman Jordan Scott also had a strong all-around game, scoring 12 points and contributing in other areas.
- Michigan State won its second straight home game on Sunday, February 23, 2026.
The players
Carson Cooper
A senior captain for Michigan State, Cooper led the team in scoring with a career-high 20 points and recorded his third double-double of the season.
Jordan Scott
A Michigan State freshman, Scott scored 12 points on 4-for-7 shooting and added four rebounds and three assists in the win over Ohio State.
What they’re saying
“This was anything but a complete game for Cooper, who did not play up to his potential on defense. Cooper typically excels at ball-screen coverage. He fell short of his own standards in this game.”
— Jim Comparoni, SpartanMag staffer
“Beyond scoring, the senior captain was the leading rebounder for Michigan State, totaling 11 rebounds to record his third double double of the season.”
— Jim Comparoni, SpartanMag staffer
What’s next
Michigan State's remaining regular-season schedule includes road games against Purdue and Indiana, as well as home games against Rutgers and Michigan. Performing well on the road will be crucial for the Spartans to secure a favorable NCAA Tournament seed.
The takeaway
Michigan State's narrow win over Ohio State highlights the team's inconsistency and struggles to build momentum, especially on the road. The Spartans will need to address these issues in the final stretch of the regular season to improve their chances of securing a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.
