floor and was outscored 37-25 when he was on the bench.

Surprise of the Week: Ohio State knocks off Minnesota, Michigan State at home

Ohio State winning home games is far from a surprise over the last several years but the Buckeyes were floundering entering this week. Thad Matta’s team had lost three of four games and was dismantled at Wisconsin, 71-49 in a 60 possession beat down. The Buckeyes impressed by thrashing Minnesota, 71-45, and then grinding out a victory over a Michigan State team that had been playing as good as anyone entering this week. The win over Michigan State was just Ohio State’s second over a top 25 team this season and keeps the Buckeyes in the thick of the conversation for a Big Ten Tournament bye.

Disappointmentweakening NCAA tournament odds probably rest in a road win at Assembly Hall on Saturday.

Upcoming Game of the Week: Michigan State at Michigan

Last time we put this as the “Upcoming Game of the Week”, Michigan State trounced Michigan on its home floor in a 23 point win that wasn’t even that close. But with both teams sitting on four losses, this is the best Big Ten game on paper once again. Michigan will hope for a better performance in front of its home crowd and this game could go a long way toward either school pushing for a No. 1 seed down the stretch. Michigan State will have a week to prepare after losing two difficult games – home to Indiana and at Ohio State – while Michigan