Michigan basketball given extra motivation by Ohio State player averaging 0.8 points per game

Tomorrow, the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines and the unranked Ohio State Buckeyes are set to tip off on college basketball's version of The Game.

Unsurprisingly, the Wolverines, who are 17-1 overall and 7-1 in Big Ten play, are heavily favored over the Buckeyes, who are 13-5 overall and just 5-3 against conference opponents, even though the game is being played in Columbus.

However, when taking a trip across state lines, extra motivation from your opponent never hurts, and Ohio State just spoon-fed that motivation to Michigan.

When OSU sophomore forward Colin White was asked about the matchup, he had a comedic take on what would happen on Friday.

Colin White talking trash about Michigan is laughable

"We hate Michigan, so we're coming out for blood," White said on the rivalry game. "We're going up there to win, and we're going to have fun doing it."

For context, White has started in one game in his two-year career for the Buckeyes and this season, is averaging just 0.8 points per game. Yes, you read that correctly. White sure does have a whole lot of smack talk in his arsenal for a player who is averaging less than one point per matchup.

As White and the Buckeyes (who, as a team, have averaged just 83.2 points per game) take on the Wolverines (who have averaged 92.7 points per game so far), his trash talk will only add fuel to Michigan's fire to defeat its rivals.

The last time Ohio State defeated the Wolverines was nearly two years ago, when the Buckeyes pulled off a shocking 84-61 victory. That won't happen this time around as Michigan head coach Dusty May and his squad pull up to Columbus, especially after what White said.

On Friday, Jan. 23, the No. 3 Wolverines and the Buckeyes are scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET, and the rivalry game will be broadcast on FOX.