Buckeyes

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The sting of getting ousted from the NCAA tournament hadn’t gone away, not yet.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — During Ohio State’s journey to the Final Four last season, Aaron Craft learned the importance of focusing on the next 40 minutes, not the three-week trip.

Arizona and Ohio State reaching the West Region’s semifinals was not much of a surprise. Both are loaded with talent, have great coaches and were relatively high seeds.

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) -- Aaron Craft dribbled in place at the top of the arc, watching to see if any of his Ohio State teammates were getting open near the basket for a game-winning shot.

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Sam Thompson had career highs with 20 points and 10 rebounds on Friday night, part of a dominating performance by Ohio State’s front line, and the Buckeyes ran away to a 95-70 victory over Iona in the second round of the West Regional.

CHICAGO (AP) -- Aaron Craft dominated down the stretch for Ohio State and just about left his coach speechless in the process.

COLUMBUS — Ohio State coach Thad Matta is busily preparing his team for what promises to be, based on a crazy season of upsets and close calls involving its national powerhouses, a crazy Big Ten tournament.

COLUMBUS — Ohio State’s spring football practice is starting a week earlier than it has in the recent past, which is probably a good thing since OSU fans can’t wait to see what happens next.

COLUMBUS — For a change, Michigan State and Ohio State aren’t playing for a trophy.

COLUMBUS — Having just dispensed with their first losing streak -- a meager two games -- in the past three years, the 13th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes get little time to rest.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Tim Hardaway Jr. brought Michigan back with a relentless streak of 3-point shooting, then blocked a shot by Aaron Craft in the final seconds of overtime to give the third-ranked Wolverines a 76-74 victory over No. 10 Ohio State on Tuesday night.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- In the middle of the hand-to-hand combat that is a typical Wisconsin-Ohio State game, Deshaun Thomas took over.

Three years ago, Ohio State’s football recruiting class included Bradley Roby, Christian Bryant, Johnathan Hankins, Corey Brown, Carlos Hyde, Andrew Norwell and Drew Basil.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Deshaun Thomas was stopped only by a teammate.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) -- Deshaun Thomas scored 22 points to lead No. 15 Ohio State to a 74-64 victory over Purdue on Tuesday night.

The thought first came to mind a few weeks ago. Notre Dame in 2012 is Ohio State in 2002.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Redshirt freshman Ben McLemore scored 22 points and No. 9 Kansas proved it was more than just a bully at home by beating seventh-ranked Ohio State 74-66 on Saturday.

OLUMBUS — The guy they call “Big Hank” is taking a big, early jump to the next level.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Mission half accomplished.

COLUMBUS — The celebration of Ohio State’s 12-0 season was just getting underway around Ohio Stadium and in the many other places where OSU football victories are celebrated when the talk turned to what the chances are that the Buckeyes can go unbeaten again next year.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Urban Meyer and the football seniors got the longest ovation on the eve of "The Game."

COLUMBUS — Sixty-eight years. That’s how long it has been since an Ohio State football team finished a football season unbeaten and had nothing to look forward to except next season.

COLUMBUS – When the football season began, the talk was that Ohio State’s season-ending game against Michigan would be its bowl game, its consolation prize because it was ineligible for postseason games.

MADISON, Wis. — Defensive end John Simon earned a place in Ohio State football history with four quarterback sacks in the Buckeyes’ 21-14 overtime win at Wisconsin on Saturday.