Helena Frye
The Ohio State–Michigan basketball rivalry is one of the oldest in college basketball, with the two Big Ten teams first facing off in 1897. The rivalry is part of a broader athletic competition between the two universities, with the basketball series beginning on February 17, 1909. Michigan dominated the early years of the basketball rivalry, but Ohio State currently leads the series. The two teams have a history of thrilling overtime victories, with the Wolverines winning the last two games. Overall, Michigan leads the series 60-51-6, but Ohio State has dominated in the 21st century, with an 18-10 record since 2000.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of first game | 1897 |
| Overall wins | Michigan: 60, Ohio State: 51 |
| Number of ties | 6 |
| Home record | Michigan: 11-4-1, Ohio State: 8-11 |
| Longest winning streak | Michigan: 6 (1922-1927) |
| Most recent win | Michigan (2022) |
| Most recent win before 2022 | Ohio State (2019) |
| Most consecutive wins (21st century) | Ohio State: 8 |
| Number of national championships | Michigan: 11 |
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The rivalry
Ohio State has dominated the rivalry in the 21st century, with an 18-10 record since 2000 (or 17-5 if you don't count the vacated 2010 matchup due to NCAA rules violations). They won eight straight games from 2012 to 2019, including a double-overtime thriller in 2016. However, Michigan has won the last four games, including back-to-back series victories in 2021 and 2022. The Wolverines' current four-game win streak is their longest since 1988-1991.
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Memorable games
The basketball rivalry between the University of Michigan and Ohio State University is part of a broader rivalry encompassing a wide range of endeavours, including athletic programs like football.
The 1940s
Michigan dominated the early years of the rivalry, compiling a 12-0-2 record in non-conference matchups from 1897 to 1912. However, Ohio State joined the Western Conference in 1912, shifting the dynamic. In the 1940s, Michigan started the decade with an upset victory in the "Snow Bowl" in 1951 and went on to post a 6-2-2 advantage in the series during that decade.
The 1950 "Snow Bowl"
One of the most famous games in the rivalry, the 1950 contest, is colloquially known as the "Snow Bowl." Amid one of the worst blizzards in Ohio's history, eighth-ranked Ohio State, led by coach Wes Fesler, hosted the game in Columbus. The weather conditions were so severe that the game was almost cancelled, but Ohio State refused. The game became a famous example of a "field position" contest, with both teams exchanging 45 punts, hoping for the other team to fumble.
The 1970s: The "Ten-Year War"
The 1970s marked a period of intense rivalry between coaches Bo Schembechler of Michigan and Woody Hayes of Ohio State, known as the "Ten-Year War." During this decade, Michigan won the game each year from 1976 to 1978, and Ohio State failed to score a touchdown in those contests. The rivalry ended in 1978 after Hayes was fired for punching a Clemson linebacker during the Gator Bowl.
2021 Top-5 Showdown
On February 21, 2021, for the first time in the series' 185-game history, the teams met while both were ranked in the Top 5. Michigan won the game 92-87, snapping Ohio State's 7-game winning streak. The game was a thrilling offensive showcase, with both teams shooting 53% from the floor. Michigan's Eli Brooks hit crucial free throws in the closing moments to secure the victory.
Recent Years
In 2021, Michigan, unranked entering the season, dominated and defeated Ohio State, who were ranked #2, by a score of 42-27. In 2022, Michigan continued their momentum, winning 45-23 and claiming back-to-back series victories for the first time since 1997.
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Longest win streaks
The Ohio State–Michigan Wolverines rivalry is one of the oldest in college football, with the teams first facing off in 1897. The rivalry has seen periods of dominance from both teams, with Michigan dominating the early years of the rivalry and Ohio State gaining the upper hand more recently.
Michigan's longest win streak was nine games from 1901 to 1909 under coach Fielding Yost. Yost's teams outscored the Buckeyes 214-6 during this period, and his 1901-1905 squads were known as "point-a-minute" teams. Michigan also had a six-game win streak from 1922 to 1927 under coaches Yost, Little, and Wieman.
Ohio State's longest win streak was eight games from 2012 to 2019. This included a memorable 30-27 double-overtime victory in 2016, where Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight committed three turnovers, and Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett had a key fourth-and-1 run.
Michigan also had a three-game win streak from 1976 to 1978, during which Ohio State failed to score a touchdown. In recent years, Michigan has won back-to-back games in 2021 and 2022, their first consecutive victories since 1997.
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Top players
The Ohio State–Michigan basketball rivalry is one of the most intense in college basketball, with both teams members of the Big Ten Conference. The Ohio State Buckeyes currently lead the series, which began on February 17, 1909.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Jerry Lucas: A two-time All-American, Lucas played alongside John Havlicek and Bobby Knight. During his junior and senior years, he was a dominant force, averaging 28 points and 13 rebounds. In his final year, he averaged 30.6 points and scored 40 or more points in four consecutive games. He also earned 13.4 rebounds on average and was named the national player of the year. Lucas also won gold with the 1960 United States Olympic basketball team.
John Havlicek: Havlicek is considered one of the all-time greats, not just for Ohio State but in the history of basketball. He played alongside Jerry Lucas and Bobby Knight.
Jim Cleamons: Cleamons is best known for his success as an assistant coach, winning nine NBA championships. During his playing career at Ohio State, he averaged 18.5 points and 7.3 rebounds across three seasons. He started as a 6-foot-5 power forward but transitioned to point guard, showcasing his versatility.
Clark Kellogg: Kellogg is a member of the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame and the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.
Dennis Hopson: Hopson started slowly at Ohio State, but he came into his own during his junior year, averaging 20.9 points per game. During his senior year, he averaged 29 points, the second-best in the nation, along with 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, winning Big Ten Player of the Year.
Evan Turner: Turner started all 93 games during his three seasons at Ohio State, ranking among the school's top 10 in career scoring with 1,785 points.
Aaron Craft: Craft is Ohio State's career assists leader with 694, one of only three players in Big Ten history with more than 600 assists and 300 steals. He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.
D'Angelo Russell: Russell started all 35 games for the Buckeyes during the 2014-15 season, averaging 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.6 steals. He was the first Ohio State freshman to record a triple-double.
Michael Conley Jr.: Conley Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz in the NBA. He was drafted fourth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2007 and later traded to the Jazz in 2019. He is the son of Mike Conley Sr., an Olympic gold and silver medalist in track and field.
Michigan Wolverines
Tom Harmon and Paul Kromer: Harmon and Kromer formed a tailback tandem, with their final collegiate game together being a 40-0 victory over Ohio State in 1940.
Howard Yerges: Yerges played for both Michigan and Ohio State. He was a quarterback for Michigan and led them to a 7-3 victory over Ohio State in 1945.
Hassan Haskins: Senior running back who scored five touchdowns in Michigan's 2021 victory over Ohio State, setting a record for a running back in the rivalry's history.
Donavan Edwards: Edwards' second-half TD runs of 75 and 85 yards helped Michigan to a convincing 45-23 win in 2022, giving them back-to-back series victories for the first time since 1997.
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Coaching impact
The rivalry between the University of Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State University Buckeyes is one of the oldest and most intense in college sports, extending beyond basketball to almost all sports and other areas of achievement. The basketball rivalry began on February 17, 1909, and Ohio State currently leads the series.
The Wolverines and Buckeyes have had several notable coaches throughout their long history, and the impact of coaching is evident in the rivalry's ebbs and flows.
Fielding Yost, who coached Michigan from 1901 to 1905, is a key figure in the early years of the rivalry. His teams were known as "point-a-minute" teams due to their high-scoring performances, outscoring the Buckeyes 214-6 during that period. Yost's success continued with Michigan, winning six consecutive games from 1922 to 1927.
In the 1940s, Woody Hayes of Ohio State and Michigan's Fritz Crisler and Bennie Oosterbaan contributed to a more balanced rivalry. During this period, Hayes's teams posted a 12-6 record, while Crisler and Oosterbaan led Michigan to a 6-2-2 advantage in the decade.
The 1950 "Snow Bowl" is a memorable game in the rivalry's history, with Michigan winning 9-3 under coach Bennie Oosterbaan. This game demonstrated the impact of coaching strategy, as both teams exchanged numerous punts in challenging weather conditions, hoping for a fumble.
From 1976 to 1978, Michigan dominated the rivalry, winning three consecutive games under coach Bo Schembechler. This period, known as the Ten-Year War, ended in 1978 when Schembechler's record against Hayes stood at 5-4-1. Earle Bruce replaced Hayes and led Ohio State to a more balanced record of 5-4 against Schembechler's Wolverines from 1979 to 1987.
In the 21st century, Ohio State has dominated the rivalry, with an 18-10 record since 2000 (including a vacated 2010 matchup). Urban Meyer, who coached the Buckeyes from 2012 to 2018, won six consecutive games from 2012 to 2019, joining Fielding Yost as the only coaches to achieve this feat.
Michigan's recent success, with four consecutive wins from 2021 to 2023, can be attributed to the coaching of Jim Harbaugh. In 2021, Michigan entered the game unranked, but they dominated Ohio State, winning 42-27. In 2022, Michigan won again with a convincing 45-23 victory, achieving their first back-to-back series victories since 1997. Assistant coach Sherrone Moore played a crucial role in the 2023 win, leading the team during Harbaugh's suspension.
The impact of coaching is evident in the historical records and notable games between the Wolverines and Buckeyes. The rivalry's dynamic has shifted over time, influenced by the strategies, performances, and legacies of their coaches.
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Frequently asked questions
Michigan has won more games in the rivalry, with an overall series lead of 60-51-6. However, Ohio State has dominated in the 21st century, with a 17-5 record since 2000.
Michigan dominated the early years of the rivalry, compiling a 12-0-2 record in non-conference matchups from 1897 to 1912.
The Wolverines have claimed 11 national championships, with their most recent being in 1997. Ohio State has won eight national championships.
