Ohio State attempting to figure out what went wrong in embarrassing effort at Wisconsin

Ohio State players watch the final seconds of play in their 71-49 loss to Wisconsin in an NCAA college basketball game on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis) (The Associated Press)

Minnesota head coach Tubby Smith disputes a call during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Cedar Rapids Gazette, Brian Ray) (The Associated Press)

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The word kept coming up again and again as Ohio State players spoke about their most recent outing: Embarrassing.

That's how Lenzelle Smith Jr. and Sam Thompson repeatedly described the 18th-ranked Buckeyes' effort, mindset, defense and overall performance in Sunday's 71-49 trashing at Wisconsin on Sunday.

Smith said it appeared the Buckeyes felt they could just roll out of bed, warm up a little bit and manhandle the Badgers in Kohl Center, where they lose about as often as coach Bo Ryan cracks a smile.

Now a bewildered coach Thad Matta is expecting Ohio State (18-7, 8-5 Big Ten) to regroup and play much better when it hosts another enigma of a team, Minnesota (18-8, 6-7), on Tuesday night in a game which could have major ramifications come tourney time.