Tough tests just keep coming
22nd-ranked West Va. up next for No. 2 Buckeyes
RALEIGH, N.C. — Chris Holtmann has already seen his Ohio State team claim three wins against marquee nonconference opponents. The second-ranked Buckeyes have a chance to get another before getting into the bulk of their Big Ten schedule.
Fresh off a victory against Kentucky, the Buckeyes face No. 22 West Virginia on Sunday in Cleveland in one of two games on this week’s AP Top 25 schedule matching a pair of ranked teams.
Ohio State (11-1) beat now-No. 10 Villanova by 25 points on Nov. 13, then opened the December schedule by going to North Carolina and winning by the same margin to give Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams his most lopsided home loss in Chapel Hill.
Then came a win against Kentucky in the CBS Sports Classic in Las Vegas, Nevada, over the weekend, a game that saw the Buckeyes shoot 50% while holding the Wildcats to 34.5% after halftime. Ohio State led for nearly 33 minutes of the 40-minute game.
It’s the type of schedule that Holtmann believes has challenged his players for what’s ahead and is a selling point in recruiting.
“We still want to have games that are going to grab the attention of our fans and probably more importantly are going to engage our players and challenge them,” Holtmann said before the Kentucky win.
Ohio State entered the week as KenPom’s top-ranked team, ranking sixth in adjusted offensive efficiency (113.9 points per 100 possessions) and fifth in adjusted defensive efficiency (86.2 points allowed per 100 possessions).
The Buckeyes’ only loss came Dec. 15 at Minnesota. And their marquee wins could help them secure a high seed in the NCAA Tournament come Selection Sunday, if they keep winning.
“I’ve said it after big wins, I’ve said it after tough losses: you’re not defined by any (particular) one game in college basketball,” Holtmann said. “What you’re really defined by is how you progress and grow as the season goes on.”
BLUEGRASS STATE BATTLE: Louisville and Kentucky have both been part of the revolving door at No. 1 in the AP Top 25 this season. Now they’re preparing to meet in Saturday’s renewal of the instate rivalry at Rupp Arena in Lexington.
The third-ranked Cardinals (11-1) have lost six of seven meetings with the 19thranked Wildcats (8-3), who fell 13 spots in Monday’s poll after losing to Utah in Las Vegas, followed by the Ohio State loss.
SAFE THIS WEEK: Top-ranked teams have quickly suffered losses after taking over the top spot. The good news for new No. 1 Gonzaga is the Zags are guaranteed to make it through the week without a stumble.
That’s because the Zags don’t play until hosting Detroit Mercy next Monday after another poll has been released.
Gonzaga (13-1) became the sixth different team to hit No. 1 this season on Monday, marking the first time that’s happened before New Year’s Day. The record for most teams to reach No. 1 in a season is seven, set in 1982-83. And so far, no team that stood at No. 1 this season won more than twice before stumbling.
The Zags have won five straight since suffering their only loss to No. 14 Michigan in the championship game of the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas on Nov. 29.
HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY: No. 21 Washington (10-2) is headlining the Diamond Head Classic field in Honolulu.
The Huskies opened the tournament by beating Ball State on Sunday, then beat host Hawaii late Monday. That sent Washington into the championship game set for Christmas Day, where the Huskies will face Houston.
WATCH LIST: Wichita State (10-1) is the leading vote-getter among unranked teams, finishing 13 points behind No. 25 Iowa in the latest poll. The Shockers are off until hosting Abilene Christian on
Sunday before opening American Athletic Conference play next week.
Further down the list, Indiana (11-1) hosts Arkansas on Sunday in a matchup between power-conference teams, while Liberty (14-0) carries its perfect record into LSU on Sunday in a game that could secure more votes for next week with a win.
Late Monday games
UTEP 71, BALL STATE 70: In Honolulu, Bryson Williams registered 16 points as UTEP edged past Ball State in a losers’ bracket game in the Diamond Head Classic.
Efe Odigie added 12 points and Kaden Archie had 11 for UTEP (9-3).
Jarron Coleman, Ishmael El-Amin, and Tahjai Teague each scored 14 points for the Cardinals (6-6).
No. 21 WASHINGTON 72, HAWAII 61:
Also in the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu, Isaiah Stewart had 26 points and 13 rebounds to lead Washington over Hawaii in the tournament semifinals.
Quade Green added 11 points and seven assists for the Huskies (10-2), who moved up one spot in the AP Top 25 poll this week.