Sharpshooting Buckeyes launch into Top 25 rematch with Texas A&M

Texas A&M is bracing for a major test with Ohio State arriving Friday night for a matchup of Top 25 teams in College Station.Texas A&M (2-1) dropped from No. 13 to 23 in the Associated Press poll after a season-opening upset loss at UCF. The Aggies regrouped quickly over their past two games. The Aggies dispatched East Texas A&M and Lamar by 26 or more points heading into their first shot at a ranked opponent.The 21st-ranked Buckeyes (2-0) are preparing to face a second ranked foe in three games to open this season and early returns indicate Ohio State can stick around as a challenger because of its perimeter shooting.Texas A&M beat Ohio State last season 73-66 in Columbus, Ohio.Ohio State beat then-No. 19 Texas 80-72 in Las Vegas on Nov. 4, which vaulted the Buckeyes into the Top 25. Ohio State backed that ranking up by handling Youngstown State 81-47 on Monday.The Buckeyes showed off their balance and depth with five players scoring in double figures in that win, highlighted by Aaron Bradshaw and John Mobley Jr., who each had 16 points. Ohio State shot a staggering 45.5 percent from 3-point range and pressured the perimeter well on the opposite end, limiting Youngstown State to only 23.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc.Two areas where the Buckeyes know they must improve if they are to remain unbeaten are rebounding and turnovers.Ohio State outrebounded the Penguins 41-29 overall, but gave up 13 offensive rebounds.The Buckeyes also committed 15 turnovers in each of their first two games. More miscues could feed right into Texas A&M’s defense, which has recorded a combined 18 steals over its past two contests.

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