The non-conference slate was kind to the 14th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team. The Buckeyes went 10-1 against out-of-conference opponents, with wins over Cincinnati, Creighton and UCLA. Not bad for a squad picked to finish near the bottom of the Big Ten.
That all changes now, however, as Ohio State shifts its focus to Big Ten play once again. The 20-game conference schedule is grueling, especially considering the strength of the conference top to bottom. And it doesn’t start off easy. Just like last year, the Buckeyes open the new year with a home matchup against No.