ESPN predicts Ohio State basketball will win three…

ESPN predicts Ohio State basketball will win three more games in 2023, but which ones?

It has not been a banner year for the Ohio State basketball team. The season started out on a pretty good note, but the tune went flat a couple of games into the Big Ten season.

The Buckeyes are 11-14 overall and 3-11 in the conference. OSU has provided Minnesota with its only win of the season within the Big Ten.

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What’s worse is the young team seems to be regressing instead of getting better. OSU has dropped 11 of the last 12, including its last six despite a schedule that has been much more favorable the last week and a half.

Ohio State has six regular-season games left, and you have to wonder if it’ll win another game during this campaign. As we’ve done in the past, we thought we’d check in with the ESPN BPI matchup predictor to see what it says about the remainder of the Buckeyes season. Believe it or not, it projects OSU to win three of its last six games.

Here’s how ESPN predicts the season to play out and what three teams the Buckeyes will find a way to beat from here on out.

Thursday, Feb. 16, at Iowa

Jan. 21, 2023; Columbus; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Isaac Likekele (13) makes a shot while defended by Iowa Hawkeyes forward Kris Murray (24) during the second half of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Iowa Hawkeyes at Value City Arena. Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

How it Breaks Down

Predicted Winner | Iowa
Win Probability | 64.9%
Running predictive record | 11-15 (3-12 in Big Ten)

Sunday, Feb. 19, at Purdue

Jan. 5, 2023; Columbus; Ohio State Buckeyes center Felix Okpara (34) grabs a rebound away from Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) during the second half of the NCAA men’s basketball game at Value City Arena. Purdue won 71-69. Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

How it Breaks Down

Predicted Winner | Purdue
Win Probability | 82.0%
Running predictive record | 11-16 (3-13 in Big Ten)

Thursday, Feb. 23, vs. Penn State

Feb. 7, 2018; University Park, Pennsylvania; Penn State Nittany Lions mascot and cheerleaders dance on the court during a stoppage in play against the Maryland Terrapins at Bryce Jordan Center. Eric Firestine-USA TODAY Sports

How it Breaks Down

Predicted Winner | Ohio State
Win Probability | 76.8%
Running predictive record | 12-16 (4-13 in Big Ten)

Sunday, Feb. 26, vs. Illinois

Jan. 24, 2023; Champaign, Illinois; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Tanner Holden (0) drives the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0) during the first half at State Farm Center. Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

How it Breaks Down

Predicted Winner | Ohio State
Win Probability | 59.8%
Running predictive record | 13-16 (5-13 in Big Ten)

Wednesday, March 1, vs. Maryland

Jan. 8, 2023; College Park, Maryland; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Justice Sueing (14) is guarded by Maryland Terrapins forward Donta Scott (24) in the first half at Xfinity Center. Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports

How it Breaks Down

Predicted Winner | Ohio State
Win Probability | 60.9%
Running predictive record | 14-16 (6-13 in Big Ten)

Saturday, March 4, at Michigan State

Feb. 12, 2023; Columbus, Ohio; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Brice Sensabaugh (10) works around Michigan State Spartans forward Malik Hall (25) during their NCAA Men’s Division I game at Value City Arena. Brooke LaValley/Columbus Dispatch

How it Breaks Down

Predicted Winner: Michigan State
Win Probability: 55.2%
Running predictive record | 14-17 (6-14 in Big Ten)

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