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No. 2 Ohio St. can extend longest Big Ten win streak in 36 years

Feb 18, 2007 - 3:02 PM No. 2 Ohio St (23-3) at Minnesota (9-17) 1:00 pm EST

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Ohio State has been on a roll in Big Ten Conference play and can not afford to let up.

The second-ranked Buckeyes try to win their 10th consecutive conference game and 11th in a row overall Sunday in their only matchup of the season with Minnesota.

Since its lone loss in Big Ten play, a 72-69 defeat to Wisconsin on January 9, Ohio State (23-3, 11-1 Big Ten) has won nine straight against conference foes and can tie its longest Big Ten streak since 1971. The school record is 27 in a row from 1960-1962.

The Buckeyes nearly squandered a 21-point halftime lead in Wednesday's 64-62 victory over Penn State. Freshman sensation Greg Oden scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Ron Lewis added 12 points.

Ohio State needs a win to tie Wisconsin for first place in the Big Ten race. The Buckeyes again meet the Badgers next Sunday.

The Golden Gophers (9-17, 3-9) have struggled this season under interim coach Jim Molinari, who took over November 30 following the resignation of Dan Monson. They have lost four in a row and nine of their last 11.

Minnesota is coming off Wednesday's 75-62 defeat against Wisconsin. Lawrence McKenzie made 4-of-6 3-pointers to score 21 points and Spencer Tollackson had 13 for the Golden Gophers.

Ohio State has won seven of the last 10 meetings against Minnesota, including a 67-53 victory on February 4, 2006.