Ohio State’s basketball team is starting a new tradition. The idea, however, is one that’s being borrowed from the football team.

Each year Ohio State takes down Michigan on the gridiron — which has been eight straight meetings, by the way — the Buckeye players are rewarded with “gold pants” trinkets as a keepsake of the victory. It’s such a unique incentive that head basketball coach Chris Holtmann thought that something similar for his team would be fun.

According to Buckeye Extra, Holtmann had the idea after being named the head coach at Ohio State and seeing the letter “M” crossed out all across campus the week of the football rivalry. Now, the Buckeye basketball players will have the opportunity to win a “gold jersey” with victories over Michigan on the hardwood.

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But…

The one caveat to earning a “gold jersey” is that the Buckeyes have to sweep the Wolverines in the season series. That’s exactly what Ohio State did during the 2019-20 season.

Ohio State defeated Michigan in the first matchup 61-58 in Ann Arbor and cruised to a 77-63 victory in the rematch in Columbus. Those results earned the Buckeye basketball players their first “gold jerseys.”

Sunday, Ohio State will have an opportunity to earn another “gold jersey.” The 4th-ranked Buckeyes will take on the 3rd-ranked Wolverines in one of the most anticipated B1G hoops matchups of the season. There’s plenty at stake this weekend.

It is the only game between the two teams on the schedule this season.