Ohio State has the best offense in college basketball, ranking first in the country during the regular season in points per possession, third in field-goal percentage and second in three-point percentage. They ranked fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio and sixth in fewest turnovers per game.

On the other side of the floor, Ohio State, lost two games this year in which guards Jordan Taylor of Wisconsin and E'Twaun Moore of Purdue had career days, scoring 27 and 38 points, respectively, to lead their teams to wins.

That can't happen anymore, and Matta said the players had better understand that.

"We've had a great run thus far," he said, "but one bad game and it's over."