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AP Top 25 College Basketball Scores: #2 Ohio State Buckeyes Pound the Minnesota Golden Gophers
The #2 Ohio State Buckeyes (24-3) primed themselves to become the new number one team in the nation after easily beating the Minnesota Golden Gophers (9-18) 85-67. With the Florida Gators losing yesterday to Vanderbilt the likely scenario would be for the Buckeyes to assume the top spot.
Greg Oden scored 19 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in the win while Mike Conley Jr. finished with 10 assists and 5 steals.
Minnesota stayed close with the Buckeyes for much of the first half and trailed by two with just under six minutes remaining but Ohio State closed the half on a 15-5 run to go into the locker room with a 43-31 advantage.
The second half proved to be too much for the Gophers to handle as they never got closer than seven points. Ohio State responded to Minnesota’s minor charge with a 19-4 run to stretch their lead to 66-44.
Ohio State has a shot at earning the AP top spot for the first time since 1945. Their only road block could be their Big 10 rival Wisconsin. The Badgers may grab the top spot after their victory on Saturday. Wisconsin beat Ohio State earlier this year. Either way next Sunday Ohio State plays host to the Badgers in a game that will more than likely be a #1 vs. #2.
Ohio State now sits at 12-1 in the Big 10 tied with Wisconsin. Minnesota dropped to 3-10 in conference play.
