Long Journey

Many eyebrows were raised across the sports nation Saturday when top-ranked and undefeated Ohio State was nearly upset by Northwestern at Evanston. The key word is nearly. Conference road games are never easy. When you are rated No. 1 in the country, road games become even tougher as the bull's eye on your back gets bigger and bigger. Northwestern, also, is no slouch. Ohio State is a powerful team. But anyone who thinks the Bucks are going to run the Big Ten table is living in a dream world. There are too many hurdles to clear. The Big Ten is very strong this year. Purdue, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan State all could make deep post-season runs. Penn State, usually a conference cream puff, has staged several Big Ten shockers this winter. Rest assured, Ohio State is one of the premier teams in college basketball. The Buckeyes are good enough -- with good health and a little luck -- to hoist the championship trophy come April. But along the way, The Scarlet & Gray will absorb a few setbacks.