Markus Burton Set to Test Ohio State’s Defense

Burton is one of the top guards in the ACC and is rapidly becoming one of the top guards in the country.

As a freshman during the 2023-24 season, Burton averaged 17.5 points, 4.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 33.8 minutes per game in 33 games. He shot 42.1% from the field, 30.0% from three-point range, and 82.1% from the free throw line.

Last season, as a sophomore, he averaged 21.3 points, 3.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 33.7 minutes per game in 26 games. He shot 44.2% from the field, 37.5% from three-point range, and 84.8% from the free throw line.

So far this season, he is averaging 19.3 points, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 rebounds per game on 47.5% shooting from the field. He has scored 24, 13, and 21 points in Notre Dame's three games so far this season.

He was selected Third-Team All-ACC in 2024 and Second-Team All-ACC in 2025. He was named the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2024 and was also named to the ACC All-Rookie Team in 2024. Burton was a 2023 three-star prospect in Indiana (according to 247Sports) and attended Penn High School. He was named Indiana Mr. Basketball as a senior after averaging 30.3 points per game in the state.

Since he's a prolific three-level scorer, it'll take a team-wide effort to slow him down. We could see Gabe Kapp play more in this matchup, as he's been the Buckeyes' best on-ball defender so far this season. Kapp will have to be at his best to slow Burton down, but if he does, the Buckeyes' chances of winning will increase as Burton is their leading scorer.

In the Fighting Irish's first two games, Burton played only 27 and 18 minutes in two explosive games, but Eastern Illinois managed to hold on in the third, where Burton played 38 minutes, shooting 8 of 19 from the field and 1 of 6 from three-point range, scoring 21 points.

He will likely play almost the entire match on Sunday as well, likely 36-38 minutes and possibly even the full 40 minutes, as the Fighting Irish don't have a deep rotation. In their last matchup, only seven players played 10 or more minutes.

Bruce Thornton and John Mobley will start at guard for Ohio State, and they will be tasked with starting against Burton until Cupps or Colin White comes on. The Buckeyes play mostly man-to-man defense, but I wouldn't be surprised if some zone defense is also incorporated to give Burton a different style and disrupt Notre Dame's offense.

According to KenPom, Ohio State has struggled defensively so far this season, ranking 87th in defensive efficiency. Notre Dame's offense ranks 58th, according to KenPom. However, the Buckeyes are coming off their best defensive game of the season against App State, where they won 75-53.

Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler has emphasized that the Buckeyes' defense must be better - something that was emphasized this offseason, and this is the best game and player to prove it early in the season.