The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE - The Louisville Cardinals are coming off their biggest win of the season, but coach Rick Pitino said a bigger test begins with today's game at Ohio State.

The No.24 Cardinals (7-1) are ranked for the first time since January 2000 after their 81-63 rout of Kentucky at Freedom Hall last Saturday.

Now, Louisville plays three of its next four games on the road, where it has won only four times in 15 games in two seasons under Pitino.

"They're very excited with the Kentucky win; they're very excited to be in the Top 25. All I told them was that it could be very short-lived when you go on the road," Pitino said.

The Cardinals have played only two road games this season.

The Buckeyes (7-3) have averaged 83 points in their last four victories at Value City Arena. Since shooting 32 percent in a 69-49 loss at fourth-ranked Pittsburgh, the Buckeyes have shot 47 percent or better in their last four games, all at home.

Louisville has played its last four games at home and held each of its opponents below 40 percent.