Final
No. 3 Ohio St meets No. 4 Florida in prelude to football showdown
Dec 23, 2006 - 5:06 PM No. 3 Ohio St (11-1) at No. 4 Florida (10-2) 4:00 pm ESTGAINESVILLE, Florida (Ticker) -- Before Ohio State meets Florida for the national football championship on January 8, they will have a warmup battle on the hardwood.
The third-ranked Buckeyes aim for their fifth consecutive victory when they visit the defending NCAA champion Gators, who have won 21 straight home games against non-conference foes.
Since setting a season-high in points allowed in a 98-89 loss at North Carolina on November 29, Ohio State has held each of its opponents to less than 60 points in four consecutive victories.
Daequan Cook scored 21 points, Greg Oden added 18 and Mike Conley Jr. 15 for the Buckeyes in Tuesday's 75-50 triumph over Iowa State. All three are freshmen.
Ohio State has not beaten a defending national champ since a 64-61 victory over Michigan in the 1989-1990 campaign. The Buckeyes are 5-21 against the reigning titlist.
Looking to tie the school record for victories before Christmas set last season, Florida will likely be without Al Horford, who has missed the last two games with a sprained left ankle. The 6-10 junior averages 13.2 points and 8.3 rebounds.
Walter Hodge scored 17 points, Joakim Noah added 16 and Corey Brewer 15 for the Gators in Wednesday's 88-67 win over Stetson.
The victory enabled coach Billy Donovan to surpass Norm Sloan for career victories (236) at Florida.
Ohio State has won five of the seven previous meetings against Florida. The teams have not faced each other in 18 seasons.
- NCAA BB
FINAL 1ST 2ND TOTAL
--- --- -----
OHIO ST (3) 29 31 60
FLORIDA (4) 38 48 86 FINAL
Dec 23 5:54 PM - NCAA BB
OHIO ST (3) 29
FLORIDA (4) 38 HALFTIME
Dec 23 4:51 PM
Related News
- Focused, aggressive Jacy Sheldon leading Ohio State women’s basketball into Big Ten play Dec 24
- You’re Nuts: What Christmas gift would you give the Ohio State women’s basketball team? Dec 24
- Uncut Podcast: Zed Key, Devin Royal, and Jake Diebler discuss Ohio State’s blowout win over New Orleans Dec 22
- No. 13 Ohio State women’s basketball gifts Belmont 84-55 defeat Dec 22
- You’re Nuts: What gift is Ohio State men’s basketball hoping to get this Christmas? Dec 22
- On World Basketball Day, Jake Diebler led Ohio State to a win and reflected on how much the game means to him Dec 22
- Game Preview: No. 13 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. Belmont Dec 22
- Ohio State pops the Privateers 78-36 without Holtmann, Okpara Dec 21
- Ohio State Men’s Basketball vs. New Orleans: Game preview and prediction Dec 21
- Bucketheads Podcast: Joe Jackson of “Feed The Post” joins the show Dec 21
- Uncut: Following loss to UCLA, Coach McGuff, Sheldon and Thierry talk next steps for Buckeyes Dec 19
- No. 2 UCLA holds off No. 13 Ohio State 77-71 in exciting finish Dec 18