Basketball in the Big Ten isn't just a game; it's basically a three-month-long dental appointment without the Novocaine. If you've ever sat through a Tuesday night tilt between Bloomington and Columbus, you know exactly what I mean. The history of Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball vs Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball is less about "finesse" and more about which team can survive a literal wrestling match on hardwood.
Honestly, the 2024-25 season changed the vibe of this rivalry. For years, Indiana fans had to listen to the "what if" talk, but lately, the Hoosiers have been the ones doing the talking—and winning. They actually swept the Buckeyes last season. First, it was that heart-stopping 77-76 overtime win in Columbus back in January 2025, followed by a grind-it-out 66-60 victory at Assembly Hall in March.
That five-game winning streak Indiana currently holds over Ohio State? It’s their longest since the late eighties. Back then, Bob Knight was still throwing chairs and the world hadn't heard of the internet. It's a big deal.
The Night the Script Flipped in Columbus
Let’s talk about that January 17 game. If you weren't watching, you missed Kanaan Carlyle and Luke Goode basically becoming legends in real-time. Indiana was down by eight late in the first half. It looked like the same old story where IU would struggle on the road and let a winnable game slip away.
But then Oumar Ballo decided he owned the paint.
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Ballo finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds. Think about that for a second. Fifteen boards. Most teams don't get that from their entire frontcourt in a half. Mike Woodson had to keep him in the game because, as he told "Voice of the Hoosiers" Don Fischer, Ballo just wouldn't come out. He told Woodson he was "OK" and then proceeded to bully everyone in a scarlet jersey.
Why the Buckeyes Faltered
Ohio State isn't a bad team. Far from it. Bruce Thornton is a total stud, and John Mobley Jr. was hitting threes from the parking lot that night. But the Buckeyes have had this weird trend of losing one-possession games. They played five straight one-possession games in early 2025 and lost three of them.
The stat that kills Ohio State fans? Second-chance points. In that overtime loss, Indiana grabbed 14 offensive rebounds. That led to 17 points. You can't give a team like IU seventeen extra points and expect to win. It’s math. It’s frustrating. It’s Big Ten basketball.
Key Players to Watch Right Now
If we look at the rosters as we move deeper into 2026, the names have changed a bit, but the intensity hasn't. Indiana has leaned heavily on guys like Malik Reneau, who has become a bucket-getting machine in the post.
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- Malik Reneau (IU): He’s the anchor. If he stays out of foul trouble, Indiana wins. Simple as that.
- Bruce Thornton (OSU): Still the engine for the Buckeyes. He leads them in points, assists, and steals. He's the guy who has to take the last shot.
- Lamar Wilkerson: A name that’s been popping up in 2026 as a major scoring threat for the Hoosiers.
- Christoph Tilly: The Buckeyes have relied on his rebounding to stop the bleeding in the paint.
The Assembly Hall Factor
Playing in Bloomington is a nightmare for opponents. The crowd at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall is right on top of you. It’s loud. It’s distracting. When Indiana beat Ohio State 66-60 in March 2025, they shot 31 free throws. Some people say it's "home-court officiating," but mostly, it’s just the pressure the crowd puts on the refs and the opposing players.
Ohio State actually outrebounded IU in a few of these matchups, but they couldn't overcome the "spirit" of the hall. It sounds cheesy, but if you've been there when the Hoosiers go on a 10-0 run, you get it.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
Most casual fans think this is just a secondary rivalry compared to IU-Purdue or OSU-Michigan. That’s a mistake. The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball vs Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball series is often a "bubble" game.
In 2025, both teams were fighting for their lives to stay in the NCAA Tournament conversation. These games aren't just for bragging rights; they are for survival. When you see a player diving for a loose ball with two minutes left, it’s because their season is literally on the line.
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The Coaching Chess Match
Mike Woodson and the Ohio State staff (with Jake Diebler taking the reins after Chris Holtmann) have very different philosophies. Woodson wants to play inside-out. He wants to use his bigs to punish you. Diebler has shown a willingness to play faster, leaning on guards like Mobley Jr. and Thornton to create space.
When these two styles clash, it usually results in a game that stays in the 60s or 70s. It’s not always pretty. Sometimes it's ugly. But it’s always competitive.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you're looking at the 2026 schedule and wondering who to pick, keep an eye on these three specific factors. They decide the winner every single time.
- The Free Throw Line: Indiana lives there. If they shoot more than 25 free throws, they almost never lose to the Buckeyes.
- Turnover Margin: Ohio State is generally better at taking care of the ball (they had one of the lowest steal-allowed percentages in the country recently). If they force Indiana into 15+ turnovers, the Hoosiers are in trouble.
- The Three-Point Gap: Indiana traditionally doesn't take many threes. If Ohio State hits 10 or more, they usually offset IU’s advantage in the paint.
The next time these two face off, don't look at the rankings. Look at the rebounding stats after the first ten minutes. If IU is winning the glass, the Buckeyes are going to have a long night. If Thornton is getting into the lane at will, Bloomington might be in for a quiet walk home.
Check the injury reports for any lingering issues with the frontcourt players. In a rivalry this physical, a bruised rib or a twisted ankle can be the difference between a win and a trip to the NIT. Pay attention to the bench scoring, too—Malik Reneau coming off the bench for 16 points was the secret sauce in their last win.
Keep your eyes on the foul count early in the second half. This game is always decided in the final four minutes, and you don't want your best player sitting on the bench with four fouls when the game is tied at 68.