No. 2 Purdue is gearing up to take on Ohio State as they aim to solidify their lead in the Big Ten race for the regular-season title. The Boilermakers have been dominant lately, winning nine consecutive games since their loss to Nebraska in January. Their impressive performance has earned them the early No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament selection committee's eyes.

Led by standout player Zach Edey, Purdue boasts a 2.5-game lead over Illinois in the conference standings, putting them in a favorable position as they enter the final stretch of the regular season. On the other side, Ohio State is facing challenges after parting ways with longtime coach Chris Holtmann this week due to a disappointing season.

Ohio State is currently struggling and stands one game away from the bottom of the Big Ten standings. With associate coach Jake Diebler now at the helm on an interim basis, the Buckeyes are hoping for a turnaround as they prepare to take on the Boilermakers. Diebler will have his work cut out for him in his first game as acting head coach in the Big Ten.

The game between Purdue and Ohio State is set to take place on Sunday at the Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, and will be broadcasted on CBS. While Purdue enters the matchup as the favorite, Ohio State will be looking to capitalize on their home court advantage and potentially close the gap in the conference standings.

With Purdue coming in strong and Ohio State looking to defy the odds, fans can expect an exciting showdown between these Big Ten rivals as the race for the conference title heats up.