COLUMBUS, OHIO — It's reached the point that even Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien doesn't blame his 20th-ranked Buckeyes for being confident.
"I don't think we're cocky. I don't want our guys to be cocky," O'Brien said after the Buckeyes beat Michigan, 69-47, Thursday night for their 13th consecutive Big Ten victory. "We have to be realistic about what's ahead. But they think they can play with a lot of teams right now."
Ohio State's Will Dudley, back, defends Michigan's LaVell Blanchard. Ohio State won Thursday at Columbus, Ohio.
Brian Brown scored 17 points, Brent Darby had 16 and Boban Savovic added 15 in Ohio State's most lopsided win over its chief rival in 34 years. The Buckeyes beat the Wolverines 103-70 on Jan. 20, 1968.
"I think it was our worst performance of the season," Michigan coach Tommy Amaker said.
Ohio State (15-2, 6-0) won its ninth in a row overall. The Buckeyes have not lost in the Big Ten since falling 70-67 at home to Indiana almost a year ago.
Savovic had seven assists and four rebounds as Ohio State maintained its one-game lead over Indiana in the conference.
As the margin rose in the second half, Ohio State's student section chanted, "Just like football." The Buckeyes won last November's game, 26-20.
"It was even better because it was on ESPN and we're on top of the Big Ten," Brown said.
Lavell Blanchard had 11 points for Michigan (7-9, 3-4), which was plagued by scoring lapses against Ohio State. The Buckeyes came into the game seventh in the country in points allowed (58.7).
The Wolverines went 31/2 minutes without scoring in the first half, almost four minutes in the middle of the game and another five minutes in the second half.
No. 1 Duke 88, Boston College 78
Boston Carlos Boozer tied his career-high with 28 points and Duke opened a 29-point first-half lead in coasting to the win. The Blue Devils (17-1) have won five consecutive games by an average of almost 20 points since their loss, to Florida State, on Jan. 6. Troy Bell scored 26 points for Boston College (14-5), which lost for the fourth time in its last six games.
No. 7 Virginia 93, VMI 59
Charlottesville, Va. J.C. Mathis had career-highs of 20 points and 15 rebounds in 29 minutes, and Virginia beat Virginia Military Institute for the 22nd consecutive time. The Cavaliers (14-2) improved to 99-15 in the series despite playing without starting center Travis Watson and guard Adam Hall, who were both nursing injuries. Freshman Jason Conley had 25 points for the Keydets (6-12), who lost for the eighth time in nine games.
No. 17 Stanford 86, No. 13 UCLA 76
Los Angeles Julius Barnes scored 23 points for the Cardinal (12-4, 5-2 Pac-10), who won for the fifth straight time on UCLA's court and beat a ranked opponent for the first time this season. Matt Barnes had 20 points for the Bruins (13-5, 5-3), who have lost two in a row for the first time this season.
No. 16 Gonzaga 93, San Francisco 73
Spokane, Wash. Blake Stepp scored 21 points and Dan Dickau added 19 for the Bulldogs (17-3, 4-1 West Coast Conference), who improved to 39-1 at home over the past four years, including 22 straight wins.
Washington 97, No. 19 Oregon 92
Seattle Doug Wrenn scored a career-high 32 points, including six over the final 1:19, for the Huskies (8-11, 2-7 Pac-10). Frederick Jones scored 27 points and Luke Ridnour matched his career high with 23 for the Ducks (14-5, 6-2), who had won four straight.
No. 22 Miami 76, Villanova 58
Miami Darius Rice had 30 points and 10 rebounds lead the Hurricanes (18-2, 5-2 Big East).
Gary Buchanan had 15 points for Villanova (10-6, 3-4).
California 92, No. 23 USC 91, OT
Los Angeles Shantay Legans' three-pointer with three seconds left in overtime lifted Cal. Legans scored the final five points for the Bears (14-3, 5-2 Pac-10), who are off to their best start in 42 years. Cal reserve Brian Wethers, who finished with 24 points, hit a three-pointer with 4.6 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 79. Sam Clancy led USC (14-4, 6-2) with 26 points.
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