Ohio State walked into Crisler Center in a similar situation as Michigan basketball. Long runs without wins and some unexpected losses. Neither team near the top of the Big Ten standings are barley considered each week when the rankings come out despite significant victories early on.
The Buckeyes began the season with wins over 10th ranked Villanova, the Big Ten’s punching bag North Carolina, and a 106-74 domination of Penn State. But in their last nine games, six were defeats.
Michigan was riding a two-game win streak, the last being on the big stage as a ‘home game’ at Madison Square Garden.