NCAA: Ohio State Upsets Top-ranked Michigan State 80-64

 The Michigan State University Spartans got a stinging reminder that no team in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament should be taken for granted or underestimated. The top-ranked school as of Week 9 had to swallow the bitter pill of defeat as Ohio State stomped them to the ground 80-64.

Over the last couple of weeks, Michigan State looked formidable, dangerous and on a roll. This recent development opens the door for Duke to reclaim that pole position or even for Villanova to rise to the top of the rankings.

The Buckeyes busted out of the gates in the first half, putting their hosts on the backfoot from the get-go. Junior, Keita Bates-Diop anchored their offense and erupted for a game-high 32 points. He also added seven rebounds, three steals and one block in the winning effort. Michigan State’s duo of Bridges and Langford did their best to keep their team in the game, ending the night with 17 points apiece. The Spartans did battle back in the second half, but the 29-41 first-half advantage of the Buckeyes was difficult to overcome and proved to be enough of a cushion to carry them to victory.