The Ohio State basketball program came into a matchup against Purdue with desperation. Failures to close games early in the season left the Buckeyes with a severe need for a good win. The Buckeyes had just one Quad 1 win entering this game against the Boilermakers.
Beating eight-ranked Purdue would give them their second-ranked win on the season and could take them off the bubble and firmly into the NCAA Tournament. The Ohio State Buckeyes knew that coming in, and they played like a team that was playing with their season on the line.
Early on, Ohio State was able to play well, keeping a halftime lead.