Ohio State upsets No. 8 Purdue 82-74

Buckeyes revive NCAA Tournament hopes with third straight win over Boilermakers

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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John Mobley Jr. scored 21 points to lead Ohio State to an 82-74 upset victory over No. 8 Purdue on Sunday. The Buckeyes used a 14-3 run in the first half to take the lead and held off a late Purdue comeback attempt to secure the win in front of a crowd that included a large contingent of Boilermakers fans.

Why it matters

The win is a major boost to Ohio State's fading NCAA Tournament hopes, as they now have three straight victories over a top-10 opponent. Purdue, meanwhile, missed an opportunity to solidify its position in the Big Ten standings and NCAA Tournament seeding.

The details

Ohio State trailed by as many as seven points in the first half, but used a 14-3 run to take a 23-19 lead. The Buckeyes led by five at halftime despite Purdue making 8 of 14 from 3-point range, as Ohio State made 8 of 11 free throws. Ohio State extended its lead to 16 points in the second half, but Purdue went on a 12-2 run to get within six. The Buckeyes were able to hold on for the victory.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

The players

John Mobley Jr.

The Ohio State guard scored a team-high 21 points in the victory.

Braden Smith

The Purdue guard scored a game-high 20 points in the losing effort.

Bruce Thornton

The Ohio State guard finished with 20 points, including a pair of late free throws to seal the win.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

This win is a major boost to Ohio State's NCAA Tournament hopes, as they have now defeated a top-10 opponent for the third time in a row. The Buckeyes showed resilience in holding off Purdue's late comeback attempt, and this victory could be a turning point in their season.