The AP released their latest Men’s Basketball poll on Monday and Ohio State (17-4, 8-0) came in at No. 13 in the poll. That is a 9-spot jump from last week’s poll that had OSU No. 22 overall. This is the highest the Buckeyes have been ranked in the AP Poll since they were No. 12 for two weeks in December of 2014.
Purdue remains at No. 3 as OSU’s trip to West Lafayette looms early next month. Michigan State is up three spots to No. 9. Michigan is the only other Big Ten team ranked, coming in at No. 25.
| 1 |  | Villanova (63) Record: 18-1 | PV Rank 1 Points 1,623 |
| 2 |  | Virginia (1) Record: 18-1 | 2 1,537 |
| 3 |  | Purdue (1) Record: 19-2 | 3 1,499 |
| 4 |  | Record: 17-2 | 5 1,439 |
| 5 |  | Record: 16-3 | 10 1,338 |
| 6 |  | Record: 17-3 | 9 1,243 |
| 7 |  | Record: 16-3 | 6 1,217 |
| 8 |  | Record: 18-3 | 11 1,180 |
| 9 |  | Record: 17-2 | 12 1,087 |
| 10 |  | Record: 16-4 | 15 1,014 |
| 11 |  | Record: 16-4 | 14 974 |
| 12 |  | Record: 14-4 | 4 917 |
| 13 |  | Record: 17-4 | 22 787 |
| 14 |  | Record: 15-4 | 8 763 |
| 15 |  | Record: 17-4 | 13 610 |
| 16 |  | Record: 19-2 | – 571 |
| 17 |  | Record: 15-4 | 7 547 |
| 18 |  | Record: 16-3 | 20 474 |
| 19 |  | Record: 17-2 | 17 470 |
| 20 |  | Record: 14-5 | – 366 |
| 21 |  | Record: 15-4 | 16 353 |
| 22 |  | Record: 13-5 | 21 260 |
| 23 |  | Record: 18-3 | – 190 |
| 24 |  | Record: 15-3 | – 189 |
| 25 |  | Record: 17-5 | 23 123 |
The point in the season when mental toughness over talent starts to weigh of surging “upstarts.” The last 2 games on the road were not dominating performances but, they were wins that showed this team can win even when the star is a little bit off. Even that star with his shooting struggling didn’t go in a corner and sulk feeling sorry for himself. He kept his head in the game and played terrific defense, was tough on the boards and looked over the court to try to find the hot hand.
Those team first concepts I think have kept the other players engaged and hungry. Other Buckeyes have responded by stepping up to the plate.
This is a big test against another surging program in Nebraska tonight. They can’t get bit by the success bug and fall off.
Give credit to where credit is due.Coach Holtman has this team playing at a really high level and his players have responded extremely well. Even though there are still some issues he has his team believing and fighting their way through the issues. They’ve already far exceeded expectations and they’re a pleasant surprise.
From the pressure of trying to prove the critics wrong, to the pressure of expectations. What’s this team made of? I’m hoping it’s solid gold.
Go Buckeye Hoops!
Bucks have beaten two ranked teams–#6 MSU and #25 TSUN–and 3 of their four losses are to the #10, #15 and #18 teams. Folks are taking notice.
I’m just hoping that tonight, having just played in NYC on Saturday, the Buckeyes won’t take the court with tired legs and find shots they usually make falling short against Nebraska. But it’s great to see them getting recognition – so far, deservedly so – that was lacking the last couple of years.
GO BUCKS!
Wow! The higher we climb, the better the seed and the bigger the target on the back. One game at a time, that’s how we got at 13! Go Bucks!