Should Michigan Basketball vs Ohio State be a protected rivalry? We asked fans this question, and the results are in.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Michigan Wolverines fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Earlier this week we asked fans about the current state of Michigan Basketball’s rivalry against Ohio State.
The programs only faced off once this year due the Big Ten expanding to 18 teams with the additions of Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington to the conference. The Big Ten league schedule now features 20 games — teams play seven teams once at home and seven others once on the road while playing three others both home and away. Michigan has just one protected basketball rivalry, and that’s against Michigan State, allowing for home-and-away tilts each year against the Spartans.
Should Michigan Basketball’s rivalry against Ohio State be protected? The results of that question are in and fans are divided.
53% of fans think the rivalry should be protected while 47% don’t think it should be.
Michigan head coach Dusty May and Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler both recently stated they’d like to see this rivalry protected and for the Big Ten to guarantee two regular season matchups between the two programs.
There’s no doubt that Michigan vs Michigan State is a bigger basketball rivalry, but Michigan vs Ohio State still can be an electric atmosphere. Michigan vs Ohio State in Columbus was epic this year, with the Wolverines holding off the Buckeyes at the buzzer and winning 86-83. It was the kind of matchup that left a lot of fans wanting a rematch, including May and Diebler.
How did you vote this week? Let us know in the comments and come back next week for another edition of SB Nation Reacts.