Wisconsin-Ohio State hype showcases plenty of firsts

A Buckeyes win would lock up a conference crown and earn a top ranking.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- An avalanche of hype has hit No. 1 Wisconsin and second-ranked Ohio State heading into today's showdown for supremacy in the Big Ten. Both teams are trying to dig their way out of it.
"Treat it the way you want to treat it," Badgers coach Bo Ryan said. "We know how we're going to treat it. We both got ranked because of things we've accomplished. So, play on."
The 4 p.m. matchup (WKBN Channel 27 and WKBN-AM 570) is the first time that either team has been involved in a 1 vs. 2 game. It's the first time Big Ten teams ranked 1-2 have ever met.
Should Ohio State win, the Buckeyes would lock up their second consecutive outright Big Ten title and would likely climb to No. 1 in the Associated Press rankings -- feats they haven't accomplished since 1962.
"It's going to be a crazy atmosphere," Ohio State freshman point guard Mike Conley Jr. said.
The Badgers (26-3, 12-2), ranked No. 1 this week for the first time, won the first meeting 72-59 on Jan. 9 in the Kohl Center. But they dropped behind the Buckeyes in the standings with a 64-55 setback at Michigan State last Tuesday night.
Finales on tap
Wisconsin needs a win to square things in the conference heading into its regular season finale next Saturday at home, a rematch with Michigan State. The Buckeyes, winners of their last 12, close at Michigan.
"We know what's on the line," Badgers forward Brian Butch said. "This is why you play college basketball, this is why you have the opportunities, this is why you work so hard in the offseason."
"Anytime a single season, as far as conference play, can come down to one game, it's hard to really say it's over-hyped," Badgers backup center Jason Chappell said.
There is speculation that this could be the final home game for not just Ohio State seniors Ivan Harris and Ron Lewis, but also prized freshman center Greg Oden. The 7-foot force inside leads the Buckeyes with averages of almost 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocked shots a game.
He would likely have been the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft last year had the league not introduced a rule requiring players to spend at least a year in college before being eligible for the draft.
Coming off a monster year -- although hindered by ongoing recuperation from an injury to the wrist on his shooting hand -- Oden might just be making his final appearance in Columbus.