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Ohio State basketball 2nd-lowest ranked Big Ten team in preseason polls

By Ryan Stano

Ohio State Buckeyes forward E.J. Liddell (32) takes a three-point shot while guarded by Michigan State Spartans forward Julius Marble II (34) during Sunday's NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference men's basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio on January 31, 2021. Ohio State won the game 79-62.Ceb Osu Mbk Msu Bjp 33
Ohio State Buckeyes forward E.J. Liddell (32) takes a three-point shot while guarded by Michigan State Spartans forward Julius Marble II (34) during Sunday's NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference men's basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio on January 31, 2021. Ohio State won the game 79-62.Ceb Osu Mbk Msu Bjp 33 /
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The preseason polls for the college basketball season have come out and the Ohio State basketball team has made the list. They are the 17th ranked team in the country to start out after flaming out in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as a two-seed a year ago.

The Buckeyes are actually the second-lowest ranked Big Ten team in the polls. Surprisingly, there are only five Big Ten teams ranked. Michigan is ranked 6th, Purdue is ranked 7th, and Illinois is ranked 11th, and Maryland is 21st. Those are the only Big Ten teams to start out the year ranked.

That’s surprising because most years the Big Ten is the best conference in the country. Pollsters much not think that there are that many good teams in the conference this year. Two teams were just outside the top 25 in Michigan State and Indiana, both of which were the next two highest teams receiving votes.

Ohio State is looking to be even better than they were last season. They bring back their entire frontcourt, starters and bench players. They added a backup center in Joey Brunk. Their backcourt is brand new though after losing Duane Washington and C.J. Walker.

I do think the Buckeyes have a chance to make some noise, but it’s time for Chris Holtmann to have some postseason success. He is going to be held to some expectations this season. If he doesn’t make the Sweet 16 this season, there might need to be some conversations had.

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The Buckeyes are going to be a fun team to watch this year. It will be great to see how Holtmann adjusts his roster after some bumps in the road because every Holtmann team has hit a rough stretch at some point in the regular season.

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