Michigan State Survives Tough Test Against Ohio State

Spartans forward Carson Cooper leads team to victory over Buckeyes

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team narrowly defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes in a close game on February 22, 2026. Spartans forward Carson Cooper played a crucial role in the team's victory, making key plays down the stretch to secure the win.

Why it matters

This game was an important conference matchup between two top teams in the Big Ten. The Spartans' win helps solidify their position in the standings and keeps them in contention for a high seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament.

The details

Cooper scored 18 points and grabbed 8 rebounds to lead the Spartans. The game was tightly contested throughout, with neither team able to pull away. In the final minutes, Cooper made several clutch plays, including a key three-pointer and a couple of free throws to seal the victory for Michigan State.

  • The game was played on February 22, 2026.
  • Michigan State and Ohio State are conference rivals in the Big Ten.

The players

Carson Cooper

A forward for the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team.

Jaxon Kohler

A forward for the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team who had a strong rebounding performance in a previous game against Illinois.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a tough game against a great Ohio State team. But our guys stepped up and made the plays we needed to get the win.”

— Tom Izzo, Head Coach, Michigan State Spartans (Michigan State Athletics)

What’s next

Michigan State will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a high seed in the NCAA tournament. Their next game is against rival Michigan on February 28th.

The takeaway

This hard-fought victory over a conference rival demonstrates the Spartans' resilience and ability to win close games, which will be crucial as they make a run towards the NCAA tournament.