Ohio State Upsets No. 8 Purdue To Strengthen NCAA Tournament Case

Buckeyes earn key victory over Boilermakers to boost their March Madness hopes

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Ohio State stunned No. 8 Purdue 82-74 on Sunday, led by 21 points from John Mobley Jr. The Buckeyes used a 14-3 run in the first half to take the lead and held on for the victory, which can help Ohio State get on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble.

Why it matters

This win is a major boost for Ohio State's fading NCAA Tournament hopes, as the Buckeyes picked up a marquee victory over a top-10 opponent in Purdue. The Boilermakers were heavily favored at home, making this an impressive road win for Ohio State.

The details

Ohio State trailed by as many as seven in the first half, but used a 14-3 run to take the 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, and held off a late Purdue rally to secure the victory.

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

The players

John Mobley Jr.

The Ohio State player who led all scorers with 21 points in the upset win.

Braden Smith

The Purdue player who scored a team-high 20 points in the loss.

Trey Kaufman-Renn

The Purdue player who had 19 points and was the Boilermakers' main offensive weapon in the second half.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The win puts Ohio State in better position to earn an NCAA Tournament bid, but the Buckeyes will need to continue winning to solidify their resume.

The takeaway

Ohio State's upset of No. 8 Purdue shows the Buckeyes still have the potential to be a dangerous team in March Madness, despite their up-and-down regular season. This victory could be a turning point in their quest to reach the NCAA Tournament.