It’s tough to categorize any particular Big Ten game as a “must-win” in early January, but following a disheartening 80-73 loss to Maryland last weekend, Thursday night’s game against the last-place Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-8, 1-4) certainly qualified as one.
The Buckeyes (10-6, 2-3) were viewed as one of the favorites to win the Big Ten just one week ago. Three losses later, they’re probably closer to the NCAA Tournament bubble than they are to cutting down nets at the end of the season. Beating a terrible Minnesota team that’s in the middle of a rebuild wasn’t going to change that, but losing to that same Minnesota team could certainly make things much more dire.