After a confidence boosting win over Grambling State, Ohio State faces a no excuses matchup against struggling Rutgers.
Ohio State basketball enters Friday’s matchup against Rutgers with momentum, but also with very little margin for error.
The Buckeyes handled business against Grambling State last week, cruising to an 89–63 win that provided a brief reset after a choppy stretch. Now comes a game that may not move national headlines, but carries real weight for Ohio State’s postseason trajectory.
If the Buckeyes want to be taken seriously as a tournament team, this is not a spot where they can afford a stumble.
Reset complete, urgency required
The win over Grambling State did what it was supposed to do. Ohio State took care of an inferior opponent, built confidence, and avoided the type of mistake that can linger on a resume all season. The final score even produced an amusing comparison, the basketball team scored only 19 more points than Ohio State football team did in its 70–0 rout earlier this year.
Jokes aside, the result mattered for the basketball team. It steadied a squad that has been competitive but inconsistent, particularly against stronger competition. Friday now represents the next step, turning a confidence win into something sustainable.
Rutgers, however, is not the type of opponent that earns grace. This is a game Ohio State must win, both in reality and in perception.
Rutgers’ struggles remove excuses
Rutgers arrives in Columbus limping. The Scarlet Knights are coming off a narrow one point win over Penn, but that victory was preceded by a three game losing streak to Purdue, Michigan, and Seton Hall.
More troubling are the earlier losses that define their season. Defeats to Notre Dame and Central Connecticut State, including a 67–54 loss to CCSU that was not particularly competitive.
This is not a team playing confident basketball. Rutgers has struggled to score, struggled to close games, and struggled to find consistency against any level of competition. That reality flips the pressure squarely onto Ohio State. A win is expected. A close win raises questions. A loss would be damaging in ways that extend beyond just one night.
Why this game matters long term
Ohio State’s path to the NCAA Tournament is still open, but it is narrowing. Games like this form the foundation of at-large cases. You do not build resumes in December with wins over teams you are supposed to beat, but you can absolutely sink them with December losses to teams you should handle.
Beyond the standings, this game is about habits. Ohio State has shown it can compete with good teams, but consistency, focus, and execution remain uneven. Rutgers offers a clear test of maturity. Can the Buckeyes control a game they should control, defend with purpose, and avoid the lapses that have plagued them at times this season?
There is no glamour in this matchup, but there is clarity. Ohio State does not need style points, it needs a win, period. Friday is not about proving Ohio State is great. It is about proving it is serious.
Category: General Sports
