After being picked to finish near the bottom of the Big Ten in 2017-18, Ohio State finds itself in a spot few predicted they would be this season: ranked in the Associated Press poll.

Following a 68-46 win over Rutgers on Sunday, the Buckeyes checked into the AP poll ranked No. 22 on Monday, their first appearance in the poll since Week 17 of the 2014-15 season.

RANKED.



The Buckeyes check in at No. 22 in this week's @AP_Top25.#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/dFaSvg3xLi — Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) January 15, 2018

The Buckeyes earned 29 votes in last week's AP poll, but failed to crack the Top 25, despite a win over No. 1-ranked Michigan State on Jan. 7.

Ohio State (15-4) currently sits atop the Big Ten standings alongside Purdue, with identical 6-0 conference records. The Boilermakers (17-2) check in at No. 3 in the AP poll, winners of their last 13 games. Following a win over Michigan State on the road, Michigan also cracked the Top 25, coming in one spot behind the Buckeyes, ranked No. 23 in the country. The Spartans fell to No. 9.

The Buckeyes, who have won 10 of their last 11 games, will look to keep their hot streak going on Wednesday night when they travel to Rosemont, Ill. to take on Northwestern. Tip is set for 9 p.m.