Honoring “The Game” weekend with five iconic Buckeye basketball performances vs. Michigan

As Buckeye Nation turns its attention to “The Game” on the football field this weekend, it’s worth remembering that the rivalry doesn’t confine itself to just the football field. The scarlet and gray tradition runs from the Horseshoe to the hardwood, where Ohio State and Michigan have built decades of battles, bad blood, and big-time performances. And the Buckeyes have owned this share of history. Since 1950, Ohio State holds an 80–57 advantage over Michigan in men’s basketball, a testament to generations of clutch moments and star-powered showings.

So in the spirit of rivalry week, and in honor of “The Game,” we’re looking back at five of the most iconic individual Buckeye performances ever recorded against Michigan, efforts that are still remembered in the program’s history to this day.

1. Gary Bradds — 42 points (Ohio State 86, Michigan 85) — Feb. 3, 1964

Few games in Buckeye lore better capture pure dominance than February 3, 1964. On that night, Gary Bradds erupted for 42 points as Ohio State edged Michigan 86–85 in a one-point thriller. That kind of scoring output, especially in a rivalry game of this magnitude was rare, and for a Buckeye to deliver it made Bradds’ performance truly legendary.

In an era before the three-point line, when scoring was generally lower and the game more physical, 42 points felt like a statement. That night remains a benchmark for scoring excellence in an OSU–Michigan game, and a reminder that this rivalry has always brought out something special. Bradds is also one of the most underrated stars in program history in my opinion, he actually owns 3 of the 5 highest single-game scoring performances ever recorded by a Buckeye (this wasn’t one of them).

2. Evan Turner — 37-foot buzzer-beater + 18 points, 8 assists (Ohio State 69, Michigan 68) — Mar. 12, 2010 (Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal)

Not all legendary games are built on gaudy box-score totals. Some live forever because of how they ended. That’s exactly what happened when Evan Turner buried a 37-foot game-winning buzzer-beater to lift Ohio State to a wild 69–68 win over Michigan in the 2010 Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.

Turner finished with 18 points and 8 assists, very good numbers on their own, but it’s that final shot that defined the game. The inbounds play, the catch, the shot, the buzzer. For many Buckeyes fans, that moment is pure rivalry gold. It didn’t just win a game, it added a classic chapter to the OSU–Michigan history book.

3. Jared Sullinger — 19 points, 15 rebounds (Ohio State 62, Michigan 53) — Feb. 3, 2011

If you want a pure, physical, paint-dominating performance, look no further than February 3, 2011. In that regular-season clash at Value City Arena, true freshman Jared Sullinger simply owned the paint putting up 19 points and 15 rebounds, powering the No. 1–ranked Buckeyes to a 62–53 win over Michigan.

Ohio State trailed at halftime, but Sullinger’s work inside helped flip the game. That night, Sullinger showed the kind of presence and toughness you’d expect from a veteran, even as a true freshman. For fans, it was a statement, the next era of Buckeye big men had arrived. There are few better examples in the OSU–Michigan rivalry of a player simply dominating everything inside the paint within a single game.

4. Michael Redd & George Reese — combined 50 points (Ohio State 88, Michigan 67) — Feb. 6, 2000

Sometimes a rivalry game isn’t about one superstar, it’s about a tandem rising together. On February 6, 2000, that’s exactly what happened. In a commanding 88–67 road victory against Michigan (no small feat in itself) Michael Redd and George Reese each dropped 25 points, combining for 50.

For Buckeyes fans old enough to remember that night, it’s a trip down memory lane. A reminder that the rivalry hasn’t always been tight. Sometimes, the Bucks just flat out dominated.

5. William Buford — 24 points (Ohio State 66, Michigan 55) — Feb. 27, 2010

Rounding out my list is a guard who always seemed to save his best for the biggest moments (we will not be discussing the 2011 Kentucky Sweet 16 game at this time, thank you). On February 27, 2010 during a season when Ohio State was firmly in the national spotlight, William Buford delivered a steady, composed, and quietly dominant 24-point performance in a 66–55 win over Michigan.

No dramatic buzzer-beater, no monstrous double-double just solid, calm, effective guard play from a seasoned Buckeye. And in rivalry games, that truly matters. Sometimes, what you need isn’t flash it’s consistency, and execution. Buford gave all that and helped seal a statement win during a big season for Ohio State.