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No. 3 Ohio State can remain unbeaten at home behind Oden

Dec 19, 2006 - 5:09 PM Iowa St (7-4) at No. 3 Ohio St (9-1) 8:00 pm EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- Freshman Greg Oden has made Ohio State a little more dangerous than originally expected.

Oden looks to continue his solid play for the third-ranked Buckeyes, who attempt to remain undefeated at home Tuesday when they face Iowa State.

After missing the first seven games of the season following wrist surgery, the 7-0 center recorded double-doubles in his two of his first three contests and has blocked five shots in all three. He is also 17-of-19 from the floor, making all 17 consecutively.

The Buckeyes followed their lone loss of the season against North Carolina on November 29 with three straight wins, including Saturday's 72-50 triumph over Cincinnati.

Oden scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Ivan Harris added 13 points and Ron Lewis 10 for Ohio State, which is averaging nearly 84 points this season.

Iowa State opened with six consecutive triumphs before losing four of its last five contests and has played its last five without sophomore center Ross Marsden, who is suffering from mononucleosis.

Wesley Johnson scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Mike Taylor added 13 points and Rahshon Clark 11 for the Cyclones in Saturday's 76-66 defeat to Bradley.

Ohio State posted a 70-67 victory victory over Iowa State last season and has won all four all-time encounters.