The women's basketball team finds out if the crown fits tonight.

The new No. 1 Lady Lions (13-0, 5-0 in the Big Ten) meet No. 17 Ohio State (11-4, 4-1) at 7:30 p.m. today in Columbus.

Coach Rene Portland wants to insure that her team's stay at the top isn't fleeting. One loss dropped Tennessee to No. 2. Iowa's stay at the top was much shorter -- it never happened.

"It's a perfect example of maybe looking past somebody, and that was a good lesson for us. Tennessee did not practice at Rutgers the day before -- they went to a play in New York," Portland said. "We're student-athletes, but not the day before a game. That catches you."

The Lady Hawkeyes' expected ascension was prevented by a loss to Indiana on Friday. Iowa was expected to move into the top spot after Tennessee's loss, but the Hoosiers' upset victory came before the weekly poll got to press.

"That lesson has to be heard loud and clear," Portland said. "Don't look past anybody."

The Lady Lions handed Ohio State a 97-80 loss at Rec Hall last season before losing in Columbus, 73-71.

"In both cases our bench beat their bench," Portland said. "We have to know that some of those kids are now strong forces --some of them are still there."

Junior guard Katina Mack agreed that the bench will be pivotal as to who comes out on top.

"It should be a great game --very aggressive," she said. "I think defense is going to be the key."

Portland hopes the graduation of Ohio State guard Averrill Roberts, who averaged 15.4 points a game last season, might make the difference. But sophomore forward Katie Smith will be just as dangerous for the Buckeyes.

Portland coached Smith on the USA Women's Junior World Championship team last summer.

"We played at Vanderbilt with no air conditioning, and that gym was hotter than hell," Portland said. "Other kids were complaining and getting drinks and whining, and she played like it was the national championship game every practice."

Smith is averaging over 20 points a game to lead the Ohio State team. Mack said Smith is hard to guard. Making sure no one else steps up for the Buckeyes is one of Portland's goals.

"(Smith) brings the best out in everybody. It's exciting for our players -- they're wondering who's going to get to play her," Portland said. "That has to be the ultimate compliment, to play a kid like that."

Note:

-- The status of junior guard Carla Coleman is questionable for today. Coleman suffered severe lower back strain after losing her balance on a lay-up against Michigan.