A Buckeye Night to Remember – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/27/1998 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 27, 1998
After 42 years, 577 games and a host to more than 6.5 million fans, St. John Arena closes its basketball doors after the OSU/PSU game.
Ohio State (8-20, 1-14) vs. Penn State (14-11, 7-8) Date: Saturday, Feb. 28, 1998 Time: 8:00 p.m. (EST) Site: St. John Arena (13,276); Columbus, Ohio Series History: The all-time series consists of 16 games with each team winning eight times. Coach Jim O’Brien: 16th year, 243-237; 1st year at OSU, 8-20 Coach Jerry Dunn: 3rd year, 45-35; 3rd year at PSU, 45-35 Key Buckeyes: Michael Redd (21.6 ppg; 6.6 rpg; 2.9 apg); Carlos Davis (8.6 ppg; 4.4 apg); Neshaun Coleman (6.3 ppg; 2.4 apg) Key Nittany Lions: Pete Lisicky (15.0 ppg; 61 “3s”); Calvin Booth (11.4 ppg; 6.4 rpg; 4.2 blks); Jarrett Stephens (14.1 ppg; 6.0 rpg) TV: ESPN-Plus will produce the game for lpcal broadcast in Ohio & Pa. with WBNS 10 TV airing the game locally. Jay Crawford and Bill Hosket will call the action. Radio: WBNS AM (1460) and FM (97.1) will carry the game to the 56-station statewide radio network with Dwight Burgess and Ronnie Stokes describing the action. Ohio State Buckeyes Vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Ohio State Probable Starters 33 Jon Sanderson F 6-6 Fr. 9.1 pts. 5.4 reb. 2.0 asts. 44 Eric Hanna F 6-7 Sr. 1.0 pts. 1.0 reb. 9 Games 32 Ken Johnson C 6-11 So. 6.5 pts. 4.1 reb. 1.9 blks. 22 Michael Redd G 6-5 Fr. 21.5 pts. 6.6 reb. 2.9 asts. 21 Carlos Davis G 6-4 Sr. 8.6 pts. 4.4 reb. 4.4 asts. Penn State Probable Starters 33 Titus Ivory F 6-4 Fr. 5.0 pts. 2.5 reb. 23 “3s” 54 Carl Jackson F 6-8 So. 1.9 pts. 1.9 reb. 54.5 FG% 52 Calvin Booth C 6-11 Jr. 11.1 pts. 6.3 reb. 4.3 blks. 3 Joe Crispin G 6-1 Fr. 9.7 pts. 1.8 reb. 36 “3s” 32 Pete Lisicky G 6-4 Sr. 15.9 pts. 2.4 reb. 60 “3s”
Ohio State hosts the Penn State Nittany Lions Saturday at 8 p.m. in a game that will forever be remembered in Ohio State history as the final collegiate game in 42-year-old St. John Arena. After 577 games and before audiences numbering over 6.5 million, St. John Arena will become more of a home for Ohio State’s prominent Olympic sports while OSU’s two basketball teams and up-and-coming ice hockey team move across Olentangy River Road to begin play next season in the 19,500-seat Jerome E. Schottenstein Center.
A Night to Remember
A pregame reception for all the former Buckeyes who played in St. John Arena will be held at French Field House prior to the game. Those same individuals will be honored at halftime, forming a ring around the court prior to the introduction of a very special and dear guest. Additionally, the final game ticket was printed larger than usual and it will not be torn at the gate so it can be kept as a souvenir. There will be 13,276 free souvenir game programs, featuring 32 pages of St. John Arena history. And, following the game, Gene Millard, who scored the very first basket in St. John Arena against Butler on Dec. 1, 1956, will make the last basket in St. John Arena.
Honoring the Seniors
Prior to the game, Ohio State will honor five seniors who will make one final appearance on the St. John Arena floor. Those five are:
Starting point guard Carlos Davis, a four-year letterman who has worked hard and started every game. He ranks second in the Big Ten in assists at 4.4 per game and he also supplies 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He is majoring in sport and leisure studies. Eric Hanna, a three-year member of the team who was rewarded for his hard work with a scholarhip this quarter. A two-time OSU Scholar-Athlete, he is majoring in marketing and transportation logistics. Byron Wilson, a transfer student who is majoring in marketing and will graduate prior to the completion of next season. A two-year member of the team, he will start his career this summer with an internship in the business office of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. Kevin Schimming and Mark Neustadt, managers who will each graduate with a degree in marketing and transportation logistics.
All-Right! Finally!! Yes!!!
Neshaun Coleman, Michael Redd and Jon Sanderson combined to hit eight straight free throws in the final 57 seconds – the first two by Sanderson snapped a 54-all tie – to secure Ohio State’s 61-56 win over Wisconsin in Madison that snapped school record losing streaks of 20 games (in the Big Ten), 17 games (overall) and 19 games (consecutive road losses). Coleman scored a season-high 19 points and hit four consecutive free throws in the final 19 seconds. The first two extended a 57-54 lead and the last extended a 59-56 lead. Starting in place of Jason Singleton, who was home with an ailing grandfather, Coleman was OSU’s offensive spark with a career-high tieing five three-point field goals. Sanderson hit four “threes” and matched Coleman with 19 points. Redd finished with 16. The two teams were tied at 34-all at halftime but both struggled in the second half. OSU shot just 23 percent from the field but was able to hit 14 of 22 free throws in the half. Wisconsin, which shot just 30 percent for the game, hit only 21 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes. More on the Buckeye Win In addition to scoring 19 points, Neshaun Coleman grabbed a season high five rebounds, dished four assists and had just one turnover in 38 minutes. Carlos Davis tied his career high with 10 rebounds, including five defensive boards in the second half. Michael Redd had six rebounds, three assists and three steals. And Eric Hanna came off the bench and played 10 quality minutes (two points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal) for one of his “greastest moments ever as an Ohio State Buckeye.” Ohio State committed just 10 turnovers total for the game.
Ohio State vs. Penn State
Penn State has been part of two closings this year. It closed out Wisconsin’s UW Fieldhouse Jan. 14, losing 76-57. This game will mark the 12th Big Ten Conference game in this series and the 17th game overall dating back to the first contest in 1951. Ohio State won the first four Big Ten games, but Penn State has won six of the last seven contests to tie the all-time series at eight wins apiece. Five of the previous 11 Big Ten games have been decided by three points or less. Penn State has two wins – in 1995 and 1996 – in eight tries in St. John Arena.
12 Days Ago…
Ohio State played one of its best halves of basketball followed by one of its worst and ended up losing at Penn State, 90-81, Feb. 16 in State College. The Buckeyes led by 15 at the break behind 56 pct. shooting, offensive balance and only three turnovers. But in the first 3:23 of the second half, PSU exploded on a 17-2 run to tie the score at 44-all, and when the game had ended the Nittany Lions had blitzed the Buckeyes for 63 second half points. Michael Redd had 28 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals and Jon Sanderson had 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists to lead Ohio State. Penn State was sparked by Jarrett Stephens, who scored 22 points and grabbed 9 rebounds off the bench, and Pete Lisicky, who scored 20 and dished 12 assists. Calvin Booth blocked six shots.
Michael Redd: Nos. 1, 1 & 16
Michael Redd is bidding to become the eighth Buckeye to lead the Big Ten in scoring (conference games only). The last two to do so were Jim Jackson in 1992 and Dennis Hopson in 1987. Redd is averaging 21.6 ppg to rank first in the Big Ten, 16th nationally and first among all freshmen. Redd has smashed five OSU freshman records: Jim Jackson’s points record (Redd now has 601), Derek Anderson’s steals (56), Herb Williams’ field goals (223), Alex Davis’ three-point field goals (42) and Troy Taylor’s free throws (113). Redd will also smash Jackson’s frosh scoring average record at the end of the season.
More Game Notes & Good Stuff
It is uncertain whether Jason Singleton will play in the season finale due to the grave condition of his grandfather….The Buckeyes have played in six straight games decided by nine points or less….Ohio State will play either Iowa, Indiana or Penn State Thurs., March 5, at 7 p.m. EST in the first round of the Big Ten tournament….OSU has committed just 13.5 turnovers the last 12 games and just 11.3 turnovers the last four….Jon Sanderson’s improved play has sparked the Buckeyes. He has averaged 15.1 ppg the last six games and he has hit 18-of-40 three-point attempts (45 pct.)….Carlos Davis set a career high with six steals vs. Penn State, which ties for the third-most in a game in school history..NEshaun Coleman has averaged 12.6 ppg the last three games. He has made 14 consecutive free throws….Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center, Ohio State’s new home beginning next season, will house 19,500 fans per game and be the sixth largest collegiate basketball facility in the nation.
’97-98 Buckeyes
21 Carlos Davis
In his St. John Arena finale….has started all 28 games at point guard…gave a wonderful effort all season at point guard, without ever previously playing the position on a regular basis…worked hard and tried to do the things O’Brien has asked…second in the Big Ten with 4.4 assists per game and has led OSU 20 times…averages 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds…rarely displays emotion…has come back strong from crushing ending vs. Indiana with career-high-tieing 10 rebounds in win Wed. over UW and 11 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and only 1 turnover last Saturday vs. NU…his turnover inside of 10 seconds to play in a tie game enabled IU to score winning points…had played a masterful game vs. IU (14 points, 3 steals) until that final possession…had 9 points, 7 assists, career-high 6 steals and only 1 TO Feb. 16 vs. PSU…15 points, 3 assists and 5 boards vs. IU on Jan. 10…had solid 10-point, 8-rebound, 6-assist, 1-turnover game Feb. 7 vs. Purdue…solid FT shooter (58-88; .659)…career-best 14 three-point FGs this season…dished career-high 9 assists vs. Kent…tied career-high with 10 rebounds in win over Southern Cal…the veteran on the team with 90 games played and 44 starts…majoring in sport and leisure studies…22 years old.
3 Neshaun Coleman
Team captain…first man off the bench…has played in all 28 games and is improving…has scored 38 points the last three games (12.7 ppg), hitting 13-of-22 from field…started for third time this year and sparked win over Wisconsin with season highs of 19 points and 5 rebounds… tied career high with 5 “threes” and helped clinch win with 4-for-4 effort at foul line in final 19 seconds…has hit 14 straight free throws…scored 10 points and hit a “three” that gave OSU a 70-69 lead over IU last Thursday, and finished with 10 points, 3 assists…played outstanding at Michigan, scoring 12 including 9 in second half, and he led OSU from 16 down with 2 “3s” and 3 free throws…has just 15 TOs the last 12 games and plays over 25 minutes per game…averages 6.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game…in Dec., had career high 8 assists in 20 minutes vs. Cal State Northridge; 13 points and 3 assists vs. SW La. and 8 points and 4 rebounds vs. USC…had arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle Nov. 7 to remove a small area of detached bone…had both ankles ‘scoped after last season to remove bone chips…third at Ohio State with 111 three-point field goals – and needs 2 to pass Chris Jent – and second with 337 three-point FG attempts… started all 27 games in ’96-97, averaging 9.1 points…81-game vet with 36 starts…majoring in communications…21 years old.
50 John Lumpkin
Plays around the development of first-year players Johnson and Herron…has played 75 minutes in 12 Big Ten games…best offensive game this year was 4 points Feb. 7 vs. Purdue…had season high 12-minute stint Jan. 28 vs. Illinois…just 13 min. the last four games…joined the team Jan. 5 after completing junior season as starting tight end for 10-3 Buckeyes…caught 17 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns, including 50-yard TD in the Sugar Bowl…scored 14 points at IU last year and recorded his career-high 12 rebounds vs. IU in 1995…on a football scholarship, but has joined basketball team three times in last four years in time for the Big Ten season…has played in 48 OSU basketball games with all of them Big Ten games…entered season with career averages of 3.7 pts and 3.1 rebs…has a career-high 16 points, vs. Mich. State last year…a right foot stress fracture kept him off the hardwood in 1995-96…is majoring in marketing…21 years old.
23 Jason Singleton
Team’s second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder missed Wisc. game and may miss PSU game due to grandfather’s illness…the lone returning starter from last season…6 points in last outing (Sat. vs. NU)…had been hot with three straight 11-or-more scoring games including fine efforts vs. IU (14 points, 5 rebounds) and first PSU game (15 points and 9 rebounds with four of those boards offensive)…at times is aggressive and incredibly athletic, but has been up and down in the Big Ten (six games with 7 or fewer points and 5 with 15 or more; 4 games with 6 or more rebounds and 5 with 2 or less)…recorded second career double-double with 16 points and career high tieing 10 rebounds (7 offensive) in first Iowa game…was hot with 17 points, 6 rebounds and career-high 4 steals in first Purdue game and followed that with 15 and 17 points, respectively, vs. Minnesota and Illinois…has led the team in scoring five times…struggles from the free throw line (34-95; .358)…scored career-high-tieing 23 points (plus 8 rebounds and 5 assists) vs. Kansas and had 20 points vs. Brigham Young…kicked off season with 23-point game vs. Kent… recorded his first career double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds vs. Rider… averaged 9.1 ppg last season…had 15 points and four dunks against Kentucky…has played in 81 games over last three years and started 49 times… majoring in communications…21 years old.
24 Damon Stringer
Will red-shirt the season due to a stress fracture in his lower back and have two years of eligibility starting next fall…the fracture is healing and OSU physicians are optimistic of his return next fall…third-team all-Big Ten last year…led the team in scoring, assists and steals in each of his first two years…sixth at OSU with 89 career treys…has 712 career points, a 13.2 per game average…also has 245 assists and 93 steals…set an OSU freshman record with 125 assists…54 games played and 52 starts…majoring in sport and leisure studies…20 years old.
32 Ken Johnson
Back in starting lineup vs. Wisc. after coming off the bench for three games… 3 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks vs. Wisc…. played well against Penn State in first game off bench with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocked shots…a self-taught musician (piano) who is still learning the game but his presence is needed on the court…had an aggressive, 9-point, 4-rebound (three offensive) game vs. Indiana Jan. 10…averaging 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and is second in the Big Ten with 1.9 blocks per game…has a five-year OSU high 54 blocked shots including five vs. Rider, Cal State Northridge and BYU…has blocked 4 vs. Iowa and Wisconsin…had a career high 14-point game vs. Michigan State…has recorded a rebound high of 8 four times, most recently vs. Illinois…finished strong in wins over Chattanooga and Southern Cal with 10 points in each game…majoring in art and computer graphics…19 years old.
54 Shamar Herron
Has played in 26 games and started three games (first start was vs. Penn State)…averaged 14 min. per start, but totalled just three points and three rebounds…came of bench vs. Wisc….averages 1.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 11.4 minutes per game…had one of his best efforts of the year Feb. 7 vs. Purdue with 6 points, 4 offensive rebounds and 1 block in 13 minutes…scored 4 points and had 4 rebounds in in first Wisconsin game…spells Ken Johnson…had first strong game statistically as a young collegian with 5 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocked shots and 22 minutes vs. Toledo…missed almost a month of pre-season practice due to a stress reaction in his right femur (due to overuse)…has not declared a major field of study…19 years old.
22 Michael Redd
16th nationally in scoring and the leading freshman scorer in the nation at 21.6 ppg…strong candidate for Big Ten Freshman of the Year…leads the Big Ten in scoring, 8th in rebounding (6.6), and T4th in steals (2.0)…scored 28 in first Penn State game with 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals…scored 16 in win over Wisc….pleasant all-around game of 19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals last Thu. vs. IU…has 20 20-point games and six with 28 or more…has broken five OSU frosh records, including Jim Jackson’s record for most points…will shatter a sixth record with his season scoring average…the subject of opponents’ defense every game, but maintains composure and averages Big Ten best 21.3 ppg in Big Ten play…leads Big Ten guards with five double-doubles, including 20 points and 11 rebounds in first game vs. Michigan and 28 points (19 in second half) and 10 rebounds in first IU game…scored 25 with 5 rebounds and 3 steals in first Purdue game and had 18 and 9 in second game vs. Purdue… scored 23 points in G1 vs. Wisconsin… has also doubled-up with 26 points and 10 assists vs. Toledo; 23 points and 10 rebounds vs. South Florida; 20 points and 12 rebounds vs. SW Louisiana… scored 20 and grabbed 7 rebounds despite being hounded all night by Kansas guards… scored season-high 30 vs. USC, the first Buckeye frosh to score 30 in 20 years…has 28-point scoring games vs. Cal State Northridge and Rider…worked his way to a 24-point, five-rebound game vs. Vanderbilt…has solid break-down skills and can bury the lonesome jumper…drives strong to the hoop… majoring in communications… 18 years old.
33 Jon Sanderson
26-game starter who is one hot Buckeye …has scored from the outside and been strong offensively down low as well…has scored 106 points (15.1 avg.) the last seven games and has hit 18-of-40 three-point attempts (45 pct.)…scored 19 in win over Wisc., incl. 5-of-6 from FT line in 2nd half…scored 21 points with 5 rebounds vs. Penn State; 21 points and 7 rebounds vs. Iowa; 13 points and 4 assists vs. Michigan; career-high 24 points and 5 rebounds vs. Purdue (and shot 5-of-7 from three-point range)…in the Purdue game, he became first player other than Redd or Singleton to lead Bucks in scoring…team’s third-leading scorer (9.1) and second-leading rebounder (5.4)… had solid 12-point, team-high 6-assist and six-rebound game in the Big Ten opener with Wisconsin…grabbed seven defensive rebounds vs. Kansas…scored 15 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished 4 assists in win over USC…hit 5-of-6 FTs in final 47 seconds vs. USC…scored a career-high 17 points plus had 12 rebounds for his first collegiate double-double vs. Cal State Northridge…pulled down 14 rebounds – 13 of them defensive – vs. Toledo…had a game-high nine rebounds vs. Vanderbilt in addition to 12 points and two blocks… majoring in business…19 years old.
44 Eric Hanna
In his third year as a walk-on member of the team…hard work and effor paid off when O’Brien put him on scholarship for his final quarter…played 10 min. vs. Wisc., including 5 in first half, and finished with 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal…played a career-high 12 minutes vs. Michigan State…has played 40 minutes in nine games so far this year…buried a 25-foot “three” at the buzzer vs. Michigan…majoring in marketing and transportation logistics…22 years old.
25 Brad Hosket
Has missed entire season due to pain from inflammation in his lower back…walked on to the team…majoring in business…born June 28, 1977.
55 Kwadjo Steele
Has played in 19 games for 64 minutes…set Big Ten high with 13 minutes vs. Purdue…grabbed three defensive rebounds vs. Boilermakers… helped spark comeback vs. BYU by scoring 3 points and recording a steal…3 points, 5 FGAs & 3 offensive boards in 3 min. vs. Minn….played 13 minutes vs. Kent… vastly improved player…works hard… walked on last year…majoring in zoology…20 years old.
52 Byron Wilson
Has played in seven games for a total of 16 minutes…in second year as a walk-on to the program…will not compete next year as he will graduate prior to end of the season…will intern with the Carolina Panthers business office this summer…transferred from North Carolina A&T…majoring in marketing…21 years old.
Career Highs
Carlos Davis Highs… Points: 22 vs. George Mason, ’94-95 Rebounds:10 (3x), last vs. Wisc., ’97-98 Assists: 9 vs. Kent, ’97-98 Steals: 6 vs. Penn State, ’97-98 “Threes”: 3 vs. Drexel, ’94-95 Neshaun Coleman Highs… Points: 21 vs. Iowa, ’96-97 Rebounds:5 vs. South Florida, ’96-97 Assists: 8 vs. Cal State North., ’97-98 Steals: 3 vs. USC, ’97-98 “Threes”:5 (3x), last vs. Wisc., ’97-98 Jason Singleton Highs… Points: 23 vs. Kent & Kansas, ’97-98 Rebounds: 10 (2x), last vs. Iowa, ’97-98 Assists: 5 (2x), last vs. Kansas, ’97-98 Steals: 4 vs. Purdue, ’97-98 Blocks: 2 (2x), last vs. SW La., ’97-98 Ken Johnson Highs… Points: 12 (2x), last vs. Toledo, ’97-98 Rebounds: 8 (3x), last vs. BYU, ’97-98 Offensive: 4 (2x), last vs. BYU, ’97-98 Defensive: 6 vs. Rider, ’97-98 Blocks: 5 (3x), last vs. BYU, ’97-98 Michael Redd Highs… Points: 30 vs. USC, ’97-98 Rebounds: 12 vs. SW Louisiana, ’97-98 Assists: 10 vs. Toledo, ’97-98 Field Goals:13 vs. USC, ’97-98 “Threes”: 5 vs. Chattanooga, ’97-98 John Sanderson Highs… Points: 24 vs. Purdue., ’97-98 Rebounds: 14 vs. Toledo, ’97-98 Assists: 6 vs. Wisconsin, ’97-98 Steals: 2 vs. Toledo, ’97-98 Threes”: 5 vs. Purdue, ’97-98 Shamar Herron Highs… Points: 6 vs. Purdue, ’97-98 Rebounds: 6 vs. Toledo, ’97-98 Offensive: 4 vs. Purdue, ’97-98 Blocks: 3 (2x), last vs. NMSU, ’97-98 Minutes: 22 vs. Toledo, ’97-98 John Lumpkin Highs… Points: 16 vs. Mich. State, ’96-97 Rebounds: 12 vs. Indiana, ’94-95 Assists: 2 vs. Minnesota, ’94-95 Blocks: 1, vs. So. Cal, ’96-97 Minutes: 37 vs. Mich. State, ’96-97
Starting Lineups (Record): Singleton, Sanderson, Johnson, Redd, Davis (7-15) Singleton, Sanderson, Herron, Redd, Davis (0-3) Singleton, Redd, Johnson, Coleman, Davis (0-2) Sanderson, Redd, Johnson, Coleman, Davis (1-0) Games Led OSU in Scoring*: Redd (21), Singleton (5), Sanderson (2), Coleman (1) Games Led OSU in Rebounding*: Redd (11), Singleton (7), Sanderson (6), Davis (3), Johnson (2) Games Led OSU in Assists*: Davis (20), Coleman (7), Redd (6), Sanderson (4), Singleton (2) Double Figure Scoring Games: Redd (27), Singleton (17), Davis (10), Sanderson (9), Johnson (7), Coleman (4) 20-Point Scoring Games: Redd (20), Singleton (3), Sanderson (3) Double Figure Rebounding Games: Redd (4), Sanderson (2), Singleton (2), Davis (2) Slam Dunks: Redd (15), Singleton (14), Johnson (13), Davis (6), Sanderson (3), Herron (2), Coleman (1) OSU’s Record When . . . Playing ranked teams 0-8 Leading at the half 6-5 Trailing at the half 0-13 Tied at the half 2-2 Leading with 5:00 left 8-2 Trailing with 5:00 left 0-18 In overtime 0-0 Out-rebounding opponent 4-6 Opp. out-rebounds OSU 4-14 Shooting 50 pct. or better 4-1 Shooting less than 50 pct. 4-19 Opp. shoots 50 pct or better 0-8 Opp. shoots less than 50 pct. 8-12 OSU shoots better than opp. 8-5 Opp. shoots better than OSU 0-15 OSU scores 70 or more 4-5 OSU scores less than 70 4-15 Opponent scores 70 or more 2-14 Opponent scores less than 70 6-6 OSU has 15 or less turnovers 4-10 OSU has more TOs than opp. 3-7
