Buckeyes crack AP Poll after Maui Invitational

On3 imageby:Andy Backstrom11/28/22

andybackstrom

COLUMBUS — Ohio State has dipped its foot into the AP Top 25 after going 2-1 and taking fifth place in the Maui Invitational. The Buckeyes (5-1) clocked in at No. 25 in Monday’s AP Poll.

Ohio State is one of six Big Ten teams in the top 25 right now. The others are No. 5 Purdue, No. 10 Indiana, No. 16 Illinois, No. 20 Michigan State and No. 22 Maryland.

Head coach Chris Holtmann’s Buckeyes rolled to three straight home victories to start the year, beating Robert Morris, Charleston Southern and Eastern Illinois. Then they made the trek to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational, where they were greeted by a now-No. 24 San Diego State squad.

Ohio State couldn’t sync up its offense and defense in the 88-77 loss. The Buckeyes, who shot 9-of-30 in the opening frame, scored 51 points in the second half, except so did the veteran-heavy Aztecs.

But Holtmann’s crew righted the ship defensively the next day against Cincinnati. Ohio State gave up just 53 points to a Bearcats team that logged 93 the night before against now-No. 4 Arizona. The Buckeyes forced 14 Cincinnati turnovers and scored 24 points off those turnovers. What’s more, the Bearcats finished with zero fastbreak points and just four assists.

Ohio State’s most impressive performance of the early-season tournament, however, came against then-No. 21 Texas Tech. Sixth-year forward Justice Sueing turned in the best game of his Buckeyes career in front of family and friends at the Lahaina Civic Center. The Honolulu native recorded a personal-best 33 points, eight rebounds and five assists, guiding Ohio State to its first win over a ranked opponent this season.

Ohio State handled a Texas Tech defense that, at times, can be suffocating and still ranks 19th nationally in KenPom adjusted defensive efficiency. The Red Raiders hung around, but Sueing and Co. held them off for an 80-73 victory.

The Buckeyes were No. 17 in last year’s preseason AP Poll. They weren’t ranked to start the 2022-23 campaign. But Holtmann’s new-look group — equipped with three transfers and four impact freshmen — has looked promising so far.

Ohio State resumes play at No. 17 Duke Wednesday.

READ: Despite resilient second half, Buckeyes fall to No. 17 San Diego State

READ: Defensive turnaround leads Ohio State past Cincinnati

READ: Justice Sueing’s career day fuels Buckeyes win over No. 21 Texas Tech

Lettermen Row has the entire Week 4 AP Top 25 Poll (Nov. 28) below:

  1. Houston
  2. Texas
  3. Virginia
  4. Arizona
  5. Purdue
  6. Baylor
  7. Creighton
  8. UConn
  9. Kansas
  10. Indiana
  11. Arkansas
  12. Alabama
  13. Tennessee
  14. Gonzaga
  15. Auburn
  16. Illinois
  17. Duke
  18. North Carolina
  19. Kentucky
  20. Michigan State
  21. UCLA
  22. Maryland
  23. Iowa State
  24. San Diego State
  25. Ohio State

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