Men’s Basketball Prepares for Army – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/22/1998 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
November 22, 1998
Buckeyes atop Big Ten after 70-62 win over Penn State
Michael Redd scored 21 points and Ken Johnson and Jason Singleton supplied the muscle inside and on defense as Ohio State beat Penn State 70-62 Friday night in the earliest conference game in Big Ten history. Ohio State (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) remained unbeaten on its new home court, the Value City Arena. The Buckeyes play their first six games and eight of their first 10 at home.
Ohio State also took over sole possession of first place in the Big Ten for the first time since 1992. There are no more conference games played until Dec. 30. The game was played before a capacity crowd of 19,500 – the largest crowd ever to see an Ohio State team play and believed to be the second largest ever to see a regular-season Big Ten game.
The teams had tried to schedule the game for late December but were thwarted because the Nittany Lions were committed to play in a holiday tournament. Rather than play three games in one week later in the season, the game was moved to the eve of the Big Ten football finale. Brian Brown came off the bench to score 10 points for Ohio State, which won despite making just 39 percent (26-of-66) of its shots from the field. Calvin Booth led Penn State (1-1, 0-1) with 19 points, while Gyasi Cline-Heard had 12 points and 13 rebounds. Booth had 11 rebounds, but Ohio State still held a 43-36 upper hand on the boards.
Ohio State (4-0, 1-0)
Probable Starters
G 12-Scoonie Penn, 5-10, Jr. G 22-Michael Redd, 6-6, So. C 32-Ken Johnson, 6-11, Jr. F 23-Jason Singleton, 6-6, Sr. F 33-Jon Sanderson, 6-7, So.
Army (0-2)
Probable Starters
G 3-George Tatum, 6-2, Sr. G 11-Babe Kwasniak, 6-0, Sr. C 41-Seth Barrett, 6-4, So. F 42-Joe Clark, 6-5, So. F 4-Jonte’ Harrell, 6-7, Fr.
Noting the game against Penn State
Ohio State has now evened the all-time series with Penn Stateat nine. Penn State had beaten the Buckeyes in seven of theprevious eight contests, including three in a row. Ohio State hadlost four consecutive Big Ten home openers. Their last Big Tenhome-opening win came Jan. 4, 1994, a 72-68 win over Iowa. OhioState also broke an 11-game Big Ten home losing streak. Their lasthome Big Ten win came Feb. 13, 1997, a 55-40 triumph overNorthwestern. Ohio State has now hit three-pointers in188-consecutive games after Brian Brown extended the streak with atrey in the first half. Ohio State last failed to nail athree-pointer on Feb. 2, 1992 in a win against Michigan. The PSUgame marked the first sellout at Value City Arena. It was alsomarked the first Big Ten Conference game at Value City Arena. Thecrowd of 19,500 was the second largest crowd ever to watch a BigTen Conference game. The previous high was 20,176, set Feb. 28,1955 as Minnesota hosted Iowa. It is also the largest crowd everfor an OSU home game. Ohio State is now 48-39 all-time in Big TenConference openers. The Bucks are 33-19 in Big Ten home openers.Michael Redd finished with a game-high 21 points. He has scored indouble figures in 33 of his 34 career games and his last 21.Freshman Brian Brown had his best outing as a collegian, scoring 10points, second-best on the team behind Redd’s 21 points. Browncanned two-of-three from behind the three-point arc, whilecontributing five rebounds in 22 minutes of action. Ohio State is4-0 for the first time since the 1995-96 season, when they wontheir first five contests. The Buckeyes’ four-game home winningstreak is the most since a five-game streak in the 1996-97campaign. The Buckeyes controlled the boards, 43-36. They were lastin the Big Ten last year in rebounding margin (-3), but this yearare outrebounding opponents 148-131.
Buckeyes in midst of four games in seven days
Ohio State is playing its fourth game in seven days today against Army. The Buckeyes began this difficult stretch against Robert Morris last Wednesday then continued against Penn State Friday. Ohio State will continue with a contest against Tennessee Tech Tuesday (8 p.m.) before taking to the road for the first time this season Saturday at Vanderbilt.
Buckeyes own 6-1 record over Army
The series between Army and Ohio State dates back to Feb. 2, 1929 when Ohio State claimed a 44-30 victory over the Cadets in the first meeting between the two institutions. Ohio State won the next year, 31-30, before losing the only game (40-29) in the series Jan. 31, 1931. The Buckeyes won the next four meetings but have not faced Army since Dec. 23, 1966, a 61-59 OSU victory.
Pat Harris in second year at Army
Pat Harris, a 1979 West Point graduate, began his tenure in June of 1997 as head coach at Army. Harris was a four-year letterwinner during his Cadet days under head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Harris was a three-year starter at point guard and helped Army to a 64-42 record during his career. He was a member of the last Army squad to register 20 victories (1976-77) and the team’s most recent NIT appearance (1977-78) as a junior. He is the 28th head coach in the 96-year history of intercollegiate basketball at West Point.
Army enters game with Ohio State 0-2 after loss to Quinnipiac Nate Pondexter hit a fadeaway 10-footer in the lane with 10.4 seconds remaining and Quinnipiac overcame a six-point deficit in the final five minutes after squandering a 13-point second-half lead to defeat Army. The Cadets started slowly, hitting on just 6 of 28 first half field goal attempts (.214) in falling behind 25-16 at the half. Army was particularly cold from three-point range, connecting on just 1 of 14 long-range attempts (.071) over the opening 20 minutes.
The Braves grabbed their biggest lead of the game at 33-20 following an alley-oop dunk by Ivoree Stanley with 17:24 remaining. But Babe Kwasniak drained the first of his three three-pointers on the Cadets’ next trip down the floor, igniting a 14-0 Army tear that provided the West Pointers with their first lead since the game’s early stages at 34-33.
Buckeyes hitting the offensive glass
Ohio State averaged 12.3 offensive rebounds last season during an 8-22 campaign. This year OSU is off to a 4-0 start and are averaging 16.3 offensive boards, and 19.0 in the last two games.
OSU three-point field goal streak extended to 188
Ohio State has connected on at least one three-point field goal attempt over the last 188 games. Freshman Brian Brown extended the streak in each of the last two games.
OSU defense forcing mistakes
The Buckeye defense has forced the opposition to turn the ball over 20 or more times three times this season. In the last three contests, Ohio State has forced 68 miscues in wins over Alabama (26), Robert Morris (24) and Penn State (18). The Buckeyes forced an average of 15.9 turnovers a game last season and 20 or more in seven games. Ohio State foes are averaging 22.0 TOs this season.
OSU 48-39 in Big Ten openers, 55-32 in home conference openers
Ohio State is in its 87th season as a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Buckeyes are 48-39 all-time in league openers. OSU has begun the conference season at home 52 times (33-19) and on the road 35 times (15-20). Overall, Ohio State has a record of 55-32 in home league openers.
Game with Army to be tape delayed on WBNS-TV Channel 10
Because of Sunday NFL telecasts, the game between Army and Ohio State (2 p.m., 11/22) will be televised tape-delayed at midnight Sunday.
Rudzinski to be honored at halftime of Army game (11/22)
Jerry Rudzinski, a 6-2, 225-pound Ohio State linebacker will be honored at halftime by Burger King Corporation as the Division I-A College Football Scholar Athlete of the Week. In honor of his outstanding athletic and academic achievements and his commitment to mentoring the community’s youth, Burger King has donated $10,000 to The Ohio State University general scholarship fund in his name. The award will be presented by Burger King Corporation Franchise Business Manager Jim Ludwiczak and Ohio State Athletics Director Andy Geiger.
Ohio State looks for first 5-0 start since 1995-96
The Buckeyes will be looking to start the season 5-0 for the first time since the 1995-96 season when the Bucks won seven of its first eight contests. After a 5-0 start, OSU fell on the road to Tennessee-Chattanooga 83-70 that season. The last 6-0 start was during the 1991-92 season when OSU won the Big Ten and finished with a 26-6 record.
Buckeye bits…
Ohio State is averaging 40.3 points in the first half of games, 34.3 in the second…The Buckeyes are outscoring opponents 161-120 (+41) in the first half and 137-122 (+15) in the second…OSU is 4-0 when leading at the half…The Buckeye bench has outscored the opponents in each of the first four games, 85-61…The OSU bench has outscored the visitor reserves in each contest this season…Ten Buckeyes have scored in double figures this season, Michael Redd has been in double digits in each game, Scoonie Penn three times…Redd has scored in double figures in 33 of 34 career games, including the last 21…He has four career double-doubles,
Buckeyes hold Robert Morris, Penn State to identical shooting nights
Both Robert Morris and Penn State shot 20-59 from the field (.339) in the last two Buckeye home games. Robert Morris scored just 49 points and the Nittany Lions managed just 62 in losses to the Buckeyes. The Colonials connected on 6 of 17 shots from three-point range while Penn State hi home on 7 of 25 threes.
Buckeye defense holding opponents to less than 40 percent shooting
The Ohio State defense is forcing turnovers and holding the opponent offensive attack in check after four games. Visitors are connecting on just 39.9 percent of their shots (87-218) while the Buckeyes are shooting 45.4 percent (114-251). The Bucks also hold advantages in assists (56-36), blocks (22-7) and steals (40-18).
Three Buckeyes could reach 1,000
Three Buckeyes could reach 1,000 career points this season. Senior Neshaun Coleman (641) needs 359 points and classmate Jason Singleton (740) is just 260 short. Sophomore Michael Redd (736) is 264 shy after his record-setting freshman campaign. Another Buckeye, junior Scoonie Penn, could reach 1,000 points as well for his career. He tallied 738 during two seasons at Boston College. He has scored 62 at Ohio State leaving him 200 shy of 1,000.
Michael Redd scores first Buckeye basket in Value City Arena
The clock showed 18 minutes, 20 seconds remaining in the first half when Buckeye sophomore Michael Redd squared and launched a left-handed three-pointer from the right wing. The attempt found the target, giving Ohio State a 3-0 lead, marking the first official basket made at Value City Arena. For Redd, it was just the start of a 29-point effort in leading the Buckeyes to an 89-61 victory. Redd made the first shot in each of the exhibition openers as well.
O’Brien’s second class signed
Brent Darby, a 6-0, 185-pound guard from River Rouge (Mich.) High School, Slobodan Ocokoljic (o-SOAK-o-litch) a 6-8, 210-pound forward >from Yugoslavia and Massillon Washington (Ohio) High School and Aleksandar Radojevic (Rad-A-yev-itch), a 7-3, 245-pound center, from Herceg Novi, Montenegro, Yugoslavia and Barton County (Kan.) Community College all inked letters of intent last week.
The three make up a class rated among the Top 10 nationally.
Darby is ranked as one of the Top 10 point guards in the country after he averaged 21 points in leading River Rouge to a 27-1 and a state championship last season.
Ocokoljic averaged 16.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and connected on 38 percent of his three-pointers as a junior. He also is rated among the Top 75 players nationally.
Radojevic is believed to be the No. 1 junior college prospect in the U.S. He is from same hometown as OSU freshman Boban Savovic. Radojevic averaged 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds, 2.9 blocks for Barton County last year for a 29-4 squad that ranked No. 3 in NJCAA Division I.
Redd considered for Wooden Award Ohio State sophomore Michael Redd is on the preseason watch list as a candidate for the prestigious John R. Wooden Award, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate player. Redd is among 50 players under consideration this season.
Redd preseason all-Big
Ten selection
Both the Big Ten coaches and media selected the same five players to their preseason all-Big Ten Teams at the annual media day festivities in Chicago (Oct. 25). Ohio State sophomore Michael Redd earned a selection along with Louis Bullock (Michigan), Mateen Cleaves (Michigan State), Evan Eschmeyer (Northwestern) and A.J. Guyton (Indiana). Cleaves was tabbed as the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year.
WBNS to televise three games in Puerto Rico
The Buckeyes will have every game on its 1998-99 schedule televised with the addition of the three games in Puerto Rico Dec. 21-23. WBNS (Channel 10) will air the games tape-delayed at 7 p.m. each night of the tournament. Ohio State will open with Alabama-Birmingham Dec. 21 and will play either N.C. State or Middle-Tennessee State Dec. 22. The opener against UAB will begin at 11 a.m. EST. All OSU games will air live on WBNS Radio (AM 1460 and FM 97.1).
Buckeyes Celebrating 100 Years
Ohio State will celebrate 100 years of men’s basketball during the 1998-99 season. The Buckeyes first fielded a team in 1898, posting a record of 12-4. Since then, OSU has compiled a record of 1,264-902 (.584). Since joining the Big Ten, Ohio State has won or tied for 15 conference titles, winning 10 outright. OSU has an overall record in Big Ten games of 610-599 in 87 years of membership.
Along the way, the Buckeyes have produced 14 All-Americans, three Associated Press players of the year, 13 NBA first round draft picks, eight members of the National Basketball Hall of Fame, two U.S. Olympians and countless others national, international, conference and local award winners and team members.
