NCAA Basketball top 25 power rankings: Texas Tech rises, Baylor and Providence fall
By Joey Loose
21. Ohio State (16-7)
When the NCAA Tournament begins three weeks from now, there’s going to be a flurry of Big Ten teams and Ohio State is going to be one of those teams that can do some damage on the national stage. With a star like EJ Liddell, this Buckeyes squad can go pretty far if Liddell continues to break out. Unfortunately, the rigors of Big Ten play have led to some unfortunate losses in recent weeks for these Buckeyes.
The week did begin on a very solid note, scoring an easy 70-45 home win over Minnesota back on Tuesday night. The defense was stellar, the offense was solid, and Liddell led all scorers with 16 points. Trouble came on Saturday, as Ohio State lost a tough game 75-62 at home against Iowa. 22 points from Malaki Branham was a welcome sight, but they couldn’t contain this suddenly hot Hawkeyes offense.
Ohio State dropped their first home game of the season, which might be a bit concerning, but certainly won’t ruin their season. The Buckeyes sit in solid shape in a tough Big Ten race, with their conference mark still at 9-5. Unfortunately, the road ahead is really tough, with games against Indiana and Illinois coming next week.