Live Game Thread & Updates for No. 8 Purdue vs. Ohio State

No. 8 Purdue and Ohio State take centerstage on Sunday in an important Big Ten clash for both teams. The Boilermakers are looking to end a two-game losing streak to the Buckeyes, while OSU is looking to pick up a signature win to boost its NCAA Tournament resumé.

Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler is 2-0 against Purdue, defeating the Boilers each of the last two years. So, Purdue won't be taking Sunday's game lightly. Plus, Matt Painter's team is coming off a heartbreaking loss to No. 13 Michigan State and is hoping to respond.

Follow along with Purdue Boilermakers On SI for the latest updates and analysis throughout the game. You can refresh this page frequently throughout the day for the latest news.

#8 Purdue vs. Ohio State game blog

1st half

3:28 — Finally Purdue gets a bucket. Great ball movement leads to a three-pointer for CJ Cox. Fletcher Loyer was then shaken up by a moving screen that went uncalled. As a result, Ohio State gets anoter three to push the lead back out to 30-24. Media timeout.

4:35 — Purdue can't do anything offensively right now and Ohio State has taken full advantage. Buckeyes lead this game 27-21. Ohio State is shooting 50% from the floor today.

6:20 — Purdue has made just one of its last 10 shots from the floor, allowing Ohio State to take a 23-19 lead. It has allowed the Buckeyes to go on another 7-0 run. The Boilers have been solid defensively, but offense is hard to come by.

7:57 — Despite Purdue shooting 5-of-7 from three, the game is tied 19-19 at the under-8 media timeout. John Mobley Jr. has been lethal with his jab step, getting defenders off balance, pulling back and knocking down shots.

8:44 — Both Purdue and Ohio State have struggled to score since the break, but Fletcher Loyer knocks down an open look from the corner to give Purdue te 19-16 lead.

10:46 — After Purdue broke the game open a bit, Ohio State came firing back. Bruce Thornton and John Mobley Jr. bot knocked down threes to bring the Buckeyes within one point at 16-15. Ohio State is now on a 6-0 run over the last two minutes.

C. J. Cox is cooking for the Boilers 🔥 @BoilerBall pic.twitter.com/QStqowIcaU
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 1, 2026

13:09 — CJ Cox has knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to give Purdue a 16-9 lead on Ohio State. The Boilermakers are 4-of-5 from behind the three-point line. It's also interesting to note tat Matt Painter kept Oscar Cluff and Cox on the floor after the first media timeout. Usually you see Daniel Jacobsen and Gicarri Harris in off the bench.

15:40 — Immediately out of the media timeout, Purdue gets a turnover and races to the other end for an easy layup. A good start today for the Boilermakers.

Braden Smith with the triple to give @BoilerBall an early lead pic.twitter.com/aCVU9trYDk
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 1, 2026

15:46 — Both Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith have knocked down early threes to give Purdue an 8-6 advantage to start the game. Both teams are kind of feeling each other out early in Columbus.

17:08 — Fletcher Loyer takes a long three-pointer and buries it. That shot gave Purdue an early 5-4 lead. Offense has been a little hard to come by to start this game.

Starting lineups

Ohio State — #0 John Mobley Jr. (G), #2 Bruce Thornton (G), #1 Amare Bynum (F), #21 Devin Royal (F), #13 Christoph Tilly (C).
Purdue — #0 CJ Cox (G), #2 Fletcher Loyer (G), #3 Braden Smith (G), #4 Trey Kaufman-Renn (4), #45 Oscar Cluff (C).

Availability report

Purdue — OUT: None. QUESTIONABLE: None.
Ohio State — OUT: Brandon Noel, Josh Ojianwuna. QUESTIONABLE: Christoph Tilly, Amare Bynum.

Tipoff between Purdue and Ohio State is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET. The game will air on CBS.

What's at stake

Purdue is no longer in the race for a Big Ten championship, as Michigan has already secured that title. But the Boilermakers can still finish in the top four of the conference standings, which would result in a triple bye for te Big Ten Tournament in a few weeks.

The Boilers are also stilly jockeying for the highest seed possible when March Madness rolls around. They were considered a No. 2 seed when the NCAA selection committee released its top 16 teams a week ago. Purdue needs to win its remaining three games to give itself the best chance to secure that spot.

Meanwhile, Ohio State is hoping to add a signature win to its NCAA Tournament resumé. The Buckeyes are 17-11 but still have some work to do if they want to earn a spot in the 68-team field later this month.

A win over Purdue would certainly boost Ohio State's chances of playing in March Madness. It would be the program's first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2022.

Get top Boilermakers stories, expert analysis, and can't-miss moments straight to your inbox for free by signing up for the Purdue Boilermakers on SI newsletter!