NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 14: Bruce Thornton #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drives towards the basket between Devin Tillis #11 and Jacari White #6 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half at Bridgestone Arena on February 14, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesJustin GolbaSun, February 15, 2026 at 3:24 AM UTC·4 min readThe Ohio State Buckeyes (16-9) and the Virginia Cavaliers (22-4) traveled to the Music City of Nashville, Tennessee, for the Nashville Hoops Showdown. After a close battle and a back-and-forth game, the Buckeyes could not capitalize late in the game on offense and fell 70-66, falling to earn another Quad-1 victory.
The main storyline coming into this game was the loss of starting guard John Mobley Jr., who has been ruled out indefinitely after sustaining a hand injury against USC. Junior guard Taison Chatman stepped into the starting role for the first time this season in his absence.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Buckeyes came out firing in this one, going up 17-6 and forcing an early Ryan Odom timeout. The run included four quick points, and the Buckeyes started 6-for-9 from the field.
Virginia answered the Buckeyes’ run with a 12-5 run of its own and cut the Buckeyes’ lead to 22-19. The two teams traded baskets back and forth for eight more minutes before Virginia went on a 15-5 run to take a 36-31 lead.
Ohio State went on a quick 6-1 run, and the two teams entered the half tied at 37. Amare Bynum and Bruce Thornton led the Buckeyes with ten points each, and Chance Mallory led Virginia with seven points.
Virginia had 20 bench points in the first half while Ohio State had two bench points.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThornton got the scoring started in the second half, recording a layup and a floater to give Ohio State a 41-37 lead. Virginia answered with a quick 5-0 run to take a 42-41 lead.
The rest of the second half was the two teams trading baskets and defensive stops as the Buckeyes’ largest lead was 59-53, but Virginia answered with an 8-0 run.
Ohio State went cold late, shooting 1-for-9 in the final four minutes, and Virginia took a 65-61 lead. A Devin Royal turnover and a Christoph Tilly three-point miss were all the Cavaliers needed to take hold of the game late.
A couple of Virginia free throws and the Cavaliers won the game 70-66.
Here are eight moments from the Buckeyes’ loss in Nashville:
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJohn Mobley to miss extended timeThe starting sophomore guard for Ohio State suffered a hand injury against USC that required surgery, and Ohio State announced he will miss extended time, but they do expect him back this season. In his absence, Taison Chatman recorded his first start of the season after playing extended minutes the past three games.
Fast start for the BuckeyesOhio State started 6-for-9 from the field and went up on Virginia 17-6 early in the contest behind four points from Taison Chatman and a couple of three-pointers from Amare Bynum.
Virginia quickly answersSince basketball is a game of runs and Virginia is a solid team, the Cavaliers answered the Buckeyes hot start with a 12-5 run of their own to cut the Buckeye lead to 22-19. Another 15-5 run gave Virginia a 36-31 lead late in the first half.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCavaliers dominate bench points in first halfIn the first half, Virginia led Ohio State 20-2
Amare Bynum steps up in Mobley’s absenceWith the second leading scorer on the team sidelined in this one, the Buckeyes needed someone to step up, and it was freshman Amare Bynum in the first half. He recorded ten points, three rebounds, and knocked down two three-pointers to help Thornton with the scoring.
Buckeyes take advantage of turnoversEven though the Cavaliers are a solid defensive team and good at turning teams over, the Buckeyes were the ones who turned the defense into offense in this one. Ohio State recorded 19 points off the first nine turnovers from Virginia, making up for the free-throw discrepancy halfway through the second half.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThornton takes matters into his own handsAfter recording 10 first-half points, Bruce Thornton recorded eight of the Buckeyes first 10 second-half points and 16 of the Buckeyes’ first 22 second-half points as he chases the all-time scoring record.
Devin Royal picks up his fourth foulIn a game where the Buckeyes’ bench was already thin, starting forward Devin Royal picked up his fourth foul with nine minutes left in the game and did not return until four minutes were left in the game. Even though he was struggling in the field, he is still the third leading scorer and second leading rebounder for Ohio State.
Virginia dominates the rebounding battleVirginia dominated on the glass in this one, out-rebounding the Buckeyes 40-26 overall and 12-6 on the offensive glass.
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