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2 B1G programs are on shortlist of teams to be ranked in football, basketball

Scott Schultz

By Scott Schultz

Published:

Of the five schools boasting Top-25 Football and Basketball teams, the B1G has two.

Both Ohio State and Wisconsin represent the league, along with Oregon, Texas, and North Carolina.

The Buckeyes, ranked No. 3 in the AP Football poll are currently 4-0 and are an odds-on favorite to win the B1G Championship this season, and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff at the end of December.

The No. 23 OSU basketball team will be opening their season with Illinois State on Wednesday, and are expected to deal with adjusting to playing without former big man Kaleb Wesson — who led the team in scoring last season with 14 points per game.

Wesson also served as an anchor on the defensive end. With the loss of him and his brother, Andre Wesson, Holtmann said he has concerns with Ohio State’s defense as the season approaches.

The Buckeyes and Redbirds tip-off at 1:00 PM Wednesday, Nov. 25.

In Madison, the No. 18 ranked Badgers Football team is coming off a disappointing 17-7 loss to Northwestern, but after dealing with COVID-19 issues at the beginning of the season are still considered one of the top teams.

On the hardcourt, Wisconsin will tip-off the 2020-21 season against Eastern Illinois on Wednesday and are ranked No. 7 in the preseason rankings. The Badgers are hoping to pick up the season where they left off last spring when they won their final eight games to clinch a share of the B1G regular-season title, only to have their B1G and NCAA tournament hopes canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Badgers will return nearly their entire rotation from that team. They finished 21-10 overall and 14-6 in B1G play.

Wisconsin and EIU will tip-off at 9:00 PM on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

Scott Schultz

Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.