The Ohio State basketball team played more like the team we saw through most of the season on Thursday night. The Buckeyes looked much more engaged, energized, and locked in against the Michigan State Spartans in an 80-69 victory in front of the home fans in Value City Arena on Thursday night.
The effort was led by four Buckeyes in double figures, but the leading scorer in the game was freshman Malaki Branham who continued his late-season assault on the Big Ten with 22 points. His game was again efficient and varied, but it was one play in particular that brought the house down.
With Ohio State already up 72-60 and the game seemingly in hand late, Branham got a quick first step to his left, beat his man, and found a little resistance at the rim. No matter. Branham went up with his left hand and finished over two Spartan defenders in a play that showed off his athleticism, length, and finishing ability.
.@MalakiBranham with the tough 😤 finish at the rim.
CC: @OhioStateHops pic.twitter.com/i8foXoTMep
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 4, 2022
With the way Branham is playing as of late, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he jumped to the NBA after just one season, but if he doesn’t, it sure is going to be fun continuing to watch him mature as a sophomore. As it is, we should all take in and enjoy what he’s doing as a freshman.
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