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No. 1 Ohio St opens Big Ten tourney vs. Michigan

Mar 9, 2007 - 2:23 PM Michigan (21-11) vs. No. 1 Ohio St (27-3) 12:00 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) - Ohio State's dependence on its youth movement paid big dividends this season.

The top-ranked Buckeyes can set a single-season record for victories and win their 15th consecutive game when they face Michigan in Friday's quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference Tournament.

After returning one starter and four letter winners from last year's team, coach Thad Matta won his second straight conference Coach of the Year title by relying primarily on first-year standouts Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook.

The trio combined with senior Ron Lewis to help the Buckeyes post a 15-1 mark in conference play en route to their second straight Big Ten regular-season title and 17th all-time.

Ohio State is 6-6 in conference tournament play, including the 2002 championship and a loss to Iowa in last year's title game.

The Buckeyes are quite familiar with Michigan after posting a 65-61 victory in Sunday's regular-season finale. Despite foul trouble, Oden scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half and Lewis added 16.

Ohio State can complete a three-game sweep of the Wolverines and win its 28th game, surpassing the school mark set in 1960-1961, when it finished second in the NCAA Tournament.

Michigan got an opportunity for a quick rematch against its archrival with Thursday's 49-40 triumph over Minnesota.

Dion Harris scored 14 points and was the only player to score in double figures for the Wolverines, who won despite shooting just 27 percent (13-of-48) from the floor.

The winner faces either Purdue or Iowa on Saturday.