If you're asking did Ohio State Buckeyes win, the answer depends entirely on which court or field you’re looking at right now. It is Sunday, January 18, 2026, and the Buckeyes have been busy.
Honestly, if you're a fan of the men's basketball team, you’re probably breathing a massive sigh of relief today. Just yesterday, January 17, the Buckeyes took down UCLA with an 86-74 victory at the Schottenstein Center. It was a big one. They needed it. After a frustrating road trip out west where they dropped a game to Washington (74-81) on January 11, coming back home and handling the Bruins felt like a statement.
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The football team, however, is a different story. Their season just wrapped up a few weeks ago, and it was a bit of a heartbreaker. After a perfect 12-0 regular season—including a dominant win over Michigan—things went south in December. They lost the Big Ten Championship to Indiana and then fell to Miami in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
The Men’s Basketball Rollercoaster: Did Ohio State Buckeyes Win Yesterday?
Yes. They absolutely did.
The January 17 matchup against UCLA was exactly what coach Jake Diebler needed to see. The Buckeyes put up 86 points, showing a level of offensive fluidness that was MIA during their trip to Seattle. You've got to look at the scoring distribution; it wasn't just one guy carrying the load.
But let’s be real: this season has been a total seesaw.
- Jan 17: W vs UCLA (86-74)
- Jan 11: L at Washington (74-81)
- Jan 8: W at Oregon (72-62)
- Jan 5: L vs #10 Nebraska (69-72)
- Jan 2: W at Rutgers (80-73)
The loss to Washington was particularly annoying for fans. The Buckeyes looked sluggish in the second half, and the Huskies basically just out-hustled them on the glass. Coming back and beating UCLA doesn't erase that, but it keeps them firmly in the middle of the Big Ten hunt.
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Right now, the men's team sits at 12-5 overall and 4-3 in the conference. They aren't at the top of the standings, but they aren't out of it either. The defense is still a "work in progress," to put it politely.
Looking Ahead
They don’t get much time to celebrate. Minnesota is coming to Columbus on January 20. If they want to prove the UCLA win wasn't a fluke, they have to take care of business at the Schott.
Women’s Basketball is Currently Dominating
While the men are fighting for consistency, the Ohio State women’s basketball team is basically a buzzsaw.
They played Penn State on January 14 and absolutely dismantled them. The final score was 108-84. Scoring 100+ points in a Big Ten game is no small feat, and they made it look easy.
This team hasn't lost a game in January. They beat Maryland on the road (89-76), took down Illinois (78-69), and crushed Rutgers (71-49). They are playing with a kind of confidence that makes them look like legitimate Final Four contenders.
If you are checking the schedule for their next move, they head to New Jersey tomorrow, January 19, to face TCU at the Prudential Center. It’s a bit of a weird mid-season non-conference-ish vibe, but it’s a big stage.
The Football Hangover: What Happened in the Playoffs?
A lot of people asking did Ohio State Buckeyes win are actually looking for the final word on the football season.
It’s been a weird few weeks in Columbus. On one hand, Ryan Day finally got the monkey off his back by beating Michigan 27-9 in Ann Arbor on November 29. That usually buys a coach a decade of goodwill. But then December happened.
The Big Ten Championship on December 6 was a disaster. They lost to Indiana 10-13 in a game that felt like it was played in a mud pit, even though it was indoors at Lucas Oil Stadium. The offense just... stopped.
Then came the Cotton Bowl on December 31.
Facing Miami (FL) in the CFP Quarterfinals, the Buckeyes just couldn't find the end zone when it mattered. They lost 14-24.
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Why the 12-2 Season Feels Like a Loss
For most programs, 12-2 is a dream. For Ohio State, it's a "what if" season.
They started the year by beating #1 Texas (14-7) in a defensive slugfest. They rolled through the Big Ten. They were ranked #1 for a huge chunk of the season.
Losing the two biggest games at the very end—the conference title and the playoff game—has left a sour taste. The defense was elite all year, but the offensive line struggles that people whispered about in September finally caught up to them in December.
Actionable Insights for Buckeyes Fans
If you're following the teams through the rest of the winter, here is what you actually need to keep an eye on:
- Watch the Men's Basketball Perimeter Defense: They are giving up way too many open threes. If they don't fix this by the time they play Michigan on January 23, it’s going to be a long night in Ann Arbor.
- Women's Basketball Seeding: At this rate, they are playing for a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Every Big Ten game now is about maintaining that resume.
- Football Transfer Portal: Since the season is over, the real "game" is in the portal. Keep an eye on the offensive line departures and arrivals. That was the Achilles' heel this year.
- Upcoming Schedule: Mark your calendars for January 20 (Men vs Minnesota) and January 22 (Women vs Indiana). The Indiana game for the women will likely be the game of the year in the Big Ten.
Basically, if you’re asking did Ohio State Buckeyes win, the answer is a resounding "Yes" for the basketball teams lately, but a lingering "No" for the football squad. The vibes in Columbus are currently 50% "We're a basketball school now" and 50% "Is it Spring Ball yet?"