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Oden, Ohio State host Tennessee in matchup of ranked teams

Jan 13, 2007 - 2:40 PM No. 20 Tennessee (13-3) at No. 5 Ohio St (13-3) 1:00 pm EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) - Ohio State seems to have a problem with ranked opponents.

The fifth-ranked Buckeyes host No. 20 Tennessee on Saturday and have to answer the question whether they can handle another ranked team.

The Buckeyes (13-3) have lost on the road to North Carolina, Florida and Wisconsin, all of whom were ranked seventh or higher at the time.

Ohio State was beaten by No. 3 Wisconsin, 72-69, on Tuesday, suffering its third loss on the road. Ivan Harris scored 17 points and Ron Lewis added 14 for the Buckeyes, who shot just 38 percent from the field.

Freshman sensation Greg Oden collected 10 points and seven rebounds, including a dunk in the last 10 seconds to get Ohio State within three points. However, guard Jamar Butler, who scored 12 points, missed a potential tying 3-pointer at the buzzer for the Buckeyes, who lost for the first time in three Big Ten Conference games.

The Volunteers (13-3) are coming off their own road loss, falling to Vanderbilt, 82-81, on Wednesday. Chris Lofton scored 29 points and Ramar Smith added 17 for Tennessee, which lost for the first time in 10 games.

Ohio State is 2-0 vs. Tennessee and is 25-23 all-time vs. current Southeastern Conference schools.