'We're right there': Ohio State faces Grambling after blown opportunity

Grambling will try to extend its winning streak to three games with an eye on a bigger prize when the Tigers play Ohio State on Tuesday in Columbus.

Taking on the Big Ten's Buckeyes (8-3) should help steel the Tigers for the Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule.

"If you are here to do anything besides win the SWAC, then don't even walk through the door," first-year coach Patrick Crarey said on a podcast appearance in the summer. "Stop coming to the gym, turn in your keys and your jersey, you're cooked here. This is about winning the SWAC.

"That's the level of expectation I have from my (administration) because that's what we put on ourselves. My AD, we're talking about our class and he said, ‘You might get a chance to get it done this first year.' Why are we here? We're here to get it done."

The Tigers, who last week defeated 2025 NCAA Tournament team Norfolk State, are led by freshman forward Antonio Munoz. He scored a career-high 23 points in an 81-72 win over Hampton on Friday and is averaging 14.1 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 52.5% from the floor.

The Buckeyes hope to build a big lead to avoid late meltdowns like those in losses to Pitt, Maryland and most recently North Carolina on Saturday, when they trailed the Tar Heels by 11 in the second half, took a three-point lead with 48 seconds to play but fell 71-70.

"This is a team that is capable of being great, but we've got to go get there," Ohio State coach Jake Diebler said. "We've got to break through. We're right there. That's the biggest thing is we've got to go punch down the wall, kick it."

A positive from the loss was freshman forward Amare Bynum scoring 11 points and grabbing six rebounds in his first career start. He may be in the starting lineup vs. Grambling.

"He earned it," Diebler said. "How hard he plays, how tough he plays, he earned it."

--Field Level Media