Ohio State Men's Basketball: Buckeyes Looking Dominant As Well

The majority of the news tonight surrounded the University of Connecticut women's basketball team. The Huskies won their 89th straight game, surpassing UCLA Bruins' men's basketball program for most consecutive games without a loss (from 1971-1974, UCLA, under then head coach John Wooden, had won 88 straight games.)

And while that feat in itself is impressive, the UConn women's dominance in the last decade (they also won 70 straight at from 2001-2003) has meant there has been less parity in the women's game than the men's, where the last team to go a full season undefeated was Indiana in 1976.

However, there was another team that took the hardwood tonight that looked equally dominant tonight—the Ohio State men's basketball team, led by senior David Lighty's 29 points, absolutely dominated the UNC Asheville Bulldogs tonight in Value City Arena on their way to a 96-49 victory. 

Even though UNC Asheville was not as tough as some of the other opponents that the Buckeyes have faced this season, it was the manner in which Ohio State collected its almost 50 point victory that gave a reason for pause. 

Ohio State was able to play all six reserves for parts of the game tonight, as freshmen Deshaun Thomas, Jordan Sibert and Lenzelle Smith, Jr. little used in some of the other Buckeyes victories, contributed 21, 14 and eight minutes respectively. And Thomas' 13 points was good for third on the team tonight behind Lighty's 29 and William Buford's 14.

There is still a lot of basketball to be played, but there is talk that Ohio State (11-0) could become the first men's basketball program since those '76 Hoosiers to finish a season undefeated. 

That no program has been able to do that in more than 30 years speaks to how hard the feat is, yet these Buckeyes seem special.

Led by standout freshman Jared Sullinger, who entered the game averaging over 18 points and 10 rebounds a contest, the Buckeyes are undefeated after 11 games for the first time in Thad Matta's career as head coach. And it hasn't been just Sullinger either; sometimes senior guard Jon Diebler ends up leading the team in scoring, or its Lighty like tonight or even junior guard William Buford. 

More than Ohio State's scoring, however, is there ability to be patient and pass the ball.  Ohio State's 20 assists tonight is a testament to coach Thad Matta's philosophy of working the ball around to get the best possible shot.

So, can the Ohio State men's basketball team go undefeated? 

The odds are against it happening, but, if they continue playing like they did tonight, then that impossibilty might become attainable.