Men’s Basketball Takes on The Fighting Irish – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/15/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 15, 1999
No. 5/6 Ohio State Buckeyes
Probable Starters (0-0)
G 12-Scoonie Penn, 5-10, Sr.
G 22-Michael Redd, 6-6, Jr.
G 13-Brian Brown, 6-3, So.
C 32-Ken Johnson, 6-11, Sr.
F 40-George Reese, 6-7, Sr.
Notre Dame
Probable Starters (0-0)
G 24-Martin Ingelsby, 6-0, Jr.
G 13-Matt Carroll, 6-6, Fr.
C 42-Harold Swanagan, 6-7, So.
F 3-Troy Murphy, 6-10, So.
F 34-David Graves, 6-6, So.
Buckeyes playing in 3rd Preseason NIT
Ohio State will be playing in its third Preseason NIT. The Buckeyes first played in the event to start the 1989 season. OSU fell to DePaul Nov. 15, 1989 at home, 71-53. The Buckeyes then lost in the most recent appearance to Ohio University Nov. 16, 1994 in Columbus, 78-67.
OSU above .500 vs. Preseason NIT field
The Buckeyes have an overall record of 34-31 against the 15 teams in the 1999 Preseason NIT. Four teams, Arkansas State, Fordham, Hofstra and San Francisco have never faced the Buckeyes. Kentucky and OSU have met 19 times, winning 10. Notre Dame and Penn are the two others with 10 or more games against OSU. The Buckeyes are 6-4 against the Fighting Irish and 5-5 vs. Penn.
Ohio State 85-15 in home openers
The Buckeyes have an overall record of 85-15 in home openers for an 85.0 winning percentage. OSU has won its last four and 39 of the last 40. Ohio State was 39-3 (.929) in St. John Arena in home openers. In season-opening contests, the Buckeyes are 79-21 for a winning percentage of .790. Ohio State won its home opener last year in the first game played in Value City Arena, an 89-61 victory over Oakland. Lucas named to SI All-Century Team
Ohio State basketball legend Jerry Lucas (1960-62) was selected to the Sports Illustrated All-Century Team, one of only five players to be so honored. Lucas is joined on the team by Bill Bradley (Princeton, 1963-65), David Thompson (N.C. State, 1973-75), Oscar Robertson (Cincinnati 1958-60) and Lew Alcindor (UCLA, 1967-69). Lucas averaged 24.3 points a game in his OSU career and an astounding 17.2 rebounds a contest. He was a three-time All-America selection and the Big Ten’s only three-time player of the year. Lucas’ 1,411 career rebounds stands as the career record. His 17.2 average also is a career record. He averaged 17.8 rebounds as a senior, which stands as the OSU single season record.
Buckeyes in Top 5 for 1st time since 1992
Ohio State opens the 1999-00 season rated the No. 5 team nationally by the Associated Press. That ranking is the highest since the Buckeyes ended the 1992 season No. 3. Ohio State climbed to as high as No. 10 last year and finished No. 14 in the AP Poll.
Irish face Buckeyes after 26-year absence from competition
Ohio State will open the 1999 Preseason NIT against Notre Dame. The two teams have not met since the 1973 season. The Fighting Irish won the last meeting in overtime Dec. 3, 1973, 76-72. Ohio State is 3-2 in Columbus and in South Bend, Ind., over the course of the series, which began Feb. 12, 1912. OSU last defeated Notre Dame Dec. 4, 1972, 81-75, in overtime.
Buckeyes 5th/6th in preseason major polls
Ohio State is rated No. 4 in the latest AP Poll (11/15) and No. 6 in the ESPN/USA Today preseason list. The Buckeyes received first-place votes in both polls as well. OSU claimed seven No. 1 votes in the AP Poll and two in the ESPN/USA Today Poll.
Several Ohio State opponents rated among nation’s best
Michigan St. (3/2), Kansas (11/11), Illinois (16/18), St. John’s (18/19) and Purdue (23/21) are all rated among the Top 25 in both the AP and ESPN/USA Today preseason polls, respectively. Several other 1999-00 OSU opponents are receiving votes as well. Indiana, Michigan, Iowa and Siena (possible 2nd rnd. NIT) all are receiving votes. Other possible NIT opponents in the Top 25 are Arizona (9/9), Kentucky (14/12), Utah (15/15) and Maryland (RV/23).
Penn named 1st Team AP All-American
Senior guard Scoonie Penn was named to the Associated Press Preseason First Team All-America team. Penn joins Mateen Cleaves, Michigan State, Terence Morris, Maryland, Chris Porter, Auburn and Quentin Richardson, DePaul.
Buckeyes experiment, roll to wins over One World All-Stars, Marathon
Ohio State opened the 1999-00 season with an exhibition win over the One World All-Stars, 82-66. Marathon Basketball provided the competition for the second contest with OSU coming out on top 90-77. The Buckeyes toyed with several lineups in the first half of both games, trailing, 39-34, to One World and leading Marathon, 52-35, at the break. OSU senior George Reese (Columbus, Ohio/Independence) lead the Buckeyes during the exhibition season with 32 points (16.0 ppg.) after a 21-point effort against Marathon. Senior Scoonie Penn (Salem, Mass./Salem) averaged 15.5 points and 3.5 assists. Junior Michael Redd (Columbus, Ohio/West), with 14 points and 10 rebounds vs. Marathon, averaged 14.0 points and 6.0 rebounds. Redd and sophomore Boban Savovic (Montenegro, Yugoslavia) led the team with 4.0 assists per game.
Doherty successful in debut but drops second exhibition with Irish
Sophomore forward Troy Murphy scored 28 points and pulled down 11 rebounds as the Notre Dame men’s basketball team posted a 94-79 exhibition win over the International Select All-Stars. The game marked the head coaching debut for first-year Irish coach Matt Doherty. Notre Dame received a strong game from freshman guard Matt Carroll, who had 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Freshman forward Jere Macura added 13 points and eight boards while junior guard Martin Ingelsby chipped in with 10. Notre Dame then fell 105-81 in the final exhibition of the season (Nov. 11). Murphy had 28 points and 15 rebounds but it was not enough to overcome the 39 points and 13 assists turned in by Marathon’s Darnell Hoskins.
VCA Sold out for 1999-00
The entire 1999-00 home men’s basketball season at Value City Arena is sold out. All 19,100 seats are sold this year, including 4,000 student season tickets. A total of 10,000 student season ticket applications were submitted for the 4,000 available seats. Split season tickets were distributed to 8,000 students who submitted applications this year. Last season 650 student season tickets were sold. The Buckeyes averaged 17,228 fans last season. Ohio State was 14-1 in its first season a VCA.
Penn, Redd earn preseason Big Ten recognition by both coaches and media
Ohio State senior guard Scoonie Penn (Salem, Mass./Salem) was selected as the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year by the league coaches during the conference-sponsored media day.
Michigan State senior Mateen Cleaves was selected by the Big Ten media as its preseason player of the year candidate. Ironically, the coaches tabbed Cleaves the Big Ten Player of the Year at the conclusion of last season while the media selected Penn. Penn along with OSU junior Michael Redd (Columbus, Ohio/West) were both selected as first team all-conference members by both the media and coaches.
The coaches also added Cleaves and Morris Peterson of Michigan State to the first team along with A.J. Guyton of Indiana. The media selected a similar first team but replaced Guyton with Cory Bradford of Illinois. League coaches picked Michigan State to win the conference this year followed by Ohio State, Illinois, Purdue and Indiana. The media picked MSU, Ohio State and Illinois as its top three.
Buckeyes spend last 12 weeks in AP poll
Ohio State spent the final 10 weeks of the 1998-99 season and the first two weeks of 1999-00 ranked among the Top 25 teams nationally in the Associated Press Poll. The Buckeyes finished No. 14 in the AP and No. 4 in the ESPN/USA Today polls. Ohio State is consistently ranked among the Top 10 teams nationally in a variety of preseason polls this year.
Redd, Penn named OSU captains
Senior Scoonie Penn and junior Michael Redd were named team captains during preseason camp. It will be the second season Penn has served in that capacity at Ohio State. He along with seniors Neshaun Coleman and Jason Singleton served last season. Redd will be serving his first season as an OSU captain.
Both Buckeye captains named to Wooden Awards watch list
Scoonie Penn along with running mate Michael Redd were named Wooden Award preseason All-Americans. The OSU guard tandem is among the 25 of the nation’s elite players to be considered for the award.
Penn, Redd listed on several preseason All-America lists
Buckeye senior Scoonie Penn is listed on several first team All-America teams. Some of the publications or preseason pollsters who have deemed Penn among the nation’s best include: Sport Magazine, Athlon Sports, Basketball Times, Street & Smith’s and Blue Ribbon. Lindy’s picks Penn and junior Michael Redd as First Team all-Big Ten Conference selections. Redd has been consistently deemed a second team nomination in most of the preseason publications.
Three new players ready for action, two additional faces sitting out
Three new eligible players will see action this season for the Buckeyes. Sophomore Doylan Robinson (Akron, Ohio/Buchtel) is eligible for the first time this season after sitting out his freshman campaign with the Buckeyes. Freshmen Brent Darby (6-0, River Rouge, Mich./River Rouge) and Slobodan “Cobe” Ocokoljic (Kraljevo, Yugoslavia/Massillon (OH) Washington) also are ready to contribute for the Buckeyes. Cobe (CHO-bay) is a nickname given by OSU’s other Slobodan, sophomore “Boban” Savovic. Two additional players are practicing with the Buckeyes this season but will not be eligible until next year. Sophomores Tim Martin, who played at Kent, and Sean Connolly, a transfer from Providence, are working out with the Buckeyes.
Buckeyes second in NCAA history for one-season turnaround
The Buckeyes left the Final Four with a record just short of the NCAA record for one-season turnarounds. OSU, 8-22 in 1997-98, improved by 16 games (27-9), which is the second best jump by any school since the NCAA began keeping the statistic in 1974. The record (16.5) is held by North Carolina A&T from 3-24 to 20-8 in 1978, Murray State from 4-22 to 23-8 in 1980 and Liberty from 5-23 to 22-7 in 1992 but none made the NCAA Tournament.
Ohio State’s Ninth Final Four
Coach Jim O’Brien guided Ohio State into its ninth Final Four appearance and its first since 1968 when Olympian and Academic All-American Bill Hosket led the Buckeyes to a third-place finish. Ohio State’s nine Final Four appearances – 1939-44-45-46-60-61-62-68-99 – represents the sixth-highest total in NCAA history, trailing only UCLA (15), North Carolina (14), Kentucky (13), Duke (12) and Kansas (10).
From 8-22 to the Final Four
Ohio State was 8-22 and 1-15 in the Big Ten Conference in Jim O’Brien’s first season as coach (1997-98). OSU left the 1999 Final Four with a school-record-tieing 27 wins against just nine defeats. Only one school has had a worse winning percentage one year (OSU’s .266 mark in 1998) and then advance to the Final Four the next year: The 1940 Wisconsin Badgers had a .250 winning percentage (5-15) but bounced back to win the 1941 Final Four.
Ohio State sets record for games played in a single season
Ohio State played in 36 games in 1998-99 (27-9). That total is a school record breaking the 34 games played (19-15) during the 1988-89 season. The Buckeyes advanced to the third round of the NIT Tournament that season before losing to St. John’s in overtime, 83-80 March 23, 1989.
O’Brien enjoyed most successful season as head coach
Ohio State head coach Jim O’Brien directed the Buckeyes to a 27-win season. O’Brien’s previous single-season high for wins came during the 1993-94 season when he guided Boston College to a 23-11 campaign and a trip to the NCAA regional finals.
O’Brien 7th coach to take OSU to the NCAA Tournament
Ohio State head coach Jim O’Brien, the 1999 Big Ten and NABC (Co-) Coach of the Year, is the seventh head coach at Ohio State to guide his team to NCAA Tournament. O’Brien follows Harold Olsen (1939, ’44, ’45, ’46), William “Tippy” Dye (1950), Fred Taylor (1960, ’61, ’62, ’68, ’71), Eldon Miller (1980, ’82, ’83, ’85), Gary Williams (1987) and Randy Ayers (1990, ’91, ’92). O’Brien joins a select group of coaches to have taken two team to the NCAA Tournament after guiding Boston College into NCAA play three times (1994, ’96, ’97). O’Brien is 9-4 in NCAA Tournament play.
Noting the Buckeyes
Ohio State won a school record-tieing 27 games for only thethird time in school history. The previous two seasons are: 1961(27-1) and 1991 (27-4). The 36 games played this season (27-9) is aschool record as well. Ohio State defeated 10 ranked opponents in13 tries. Ohio State had a six game winning streak against teamsranked in the Associated Press Top 25 before falling to No. 3 UConnat the Final Four. The win over No. 4 Auburn (3/18) was OSU’s firstwin over a Top 5 team since the Buckeyes defeated No. 1 IndianaFeb. 23, 1993, 81-77. The win over No. 9 St. John’s gave Ohio Stateback-to-back wins over Top 25 teams for the first time in schoolhistory. The 10 wins over ranked opponents is a school record forsingle season success over ranked foes. Sophomore Michael Redd hasscored 1,361 career points leaving him 48 points away from movingpassed Larry Bolden (1974-77) on the all-time career scoring listat Ohio State. Bolden scored 1,408 points and is currently No. 17on the all-time list. Ohio State head coach Jim O’Brien is now 9-4in NCAA Tournament games after the 4-1 effort in 1999. It wasO’Brien’s first Final Four appearance. Ohio State junior ScooniePenn added to his school records for 3-pointers made and attemptedin a single season with a 2 of 7 outing from long range againstConnecticut. Penn has made 88 of 229 3-pointers. Penn moved up thesingle season assists chart with four against the Huskies. He holdsdown the No. 6 spot with 154. His 70 steals this season is No. 3 onthe all-time list in single season steals. Michael Redd set afreshman scoring record with 658 points as a freshman, the 11thhighest single season scoring mark at OSU. He moved past thateffort with his 22 points against Auburn, 20 vs. St. John’s and 15against UConn to give him 703 as a sophomore. His single seasonpoint total last year ranks No. 6 behind Jerry Lucas’ 710 points in1959-60. Ohio State won 19 more games last season than it did in1997-98 (8-22). The 19-game improvement is an OSU record forturnarounds from one season to the next. Ohio State set a singleseason record for team steals after adding five againstConnecticut. The Buckeyes recorded 297 thefts last year topping the281 recorded during the 1986-87 season. OSU built on its singleseason record for 3-pointers made (218) and attempted (611) after a3 of 14 effort against UConn.. Ohio State senior Ken Johnsonrecorded three blocks against UConn to give him 100 on the season.That total is good for the No 1 spot all time in a single season onthe OSU block charts. Scoonie Penn scored 609 points last yearafter an 11-point effort at the Final Four vs. Connecticut. He andrunning mate Michael Redd (703 points) became only the third OSUduo to score 600 or more in the same season. The Buckeyes haveconnected on at least one 3-pointer in the last 220 games. BobanSavovic extended the streak at the 13:56 mark vs. UConn. The OhioState guard trio of Michael Redd, Scoonie Penn and Brian Browncombined for 53 assists and just 24 turnovers in NCAA Tournamentplay for a 2.4 assist to turnover ratio.
1998-99 Buckeyes one of best OSU offensive teams ever
Ohio State scored 2,695 points this season good for the No. 3 spot all time in scoring at Ohio State. The 1988-89 team is second with 2,720 points. The No. 1 1986-97 squad scored 2,802 points (84.9 ppg.). The Buckeyes averaged 74.9 ppg. this season. In the Top 5 scoring seasons at Ohio State four Buckeye teams reached 100 points at least once in a single game. OSU did not score 100 points last season.
O’Brien earns Big Ten Coach of the Year
Ohio State head coach Jim O’Brien was selected by the Big Ten media as the Coach of the Year in the Big Ten. O’Brien has now won similar league awards in the Atlantic 10 at St. Bonaventure, the Big East at Boston College and now the Big Ten after guiding the Buckeyes in just his second season to a 27-9 overall record and a Big Ten mark of 12-4. O’Brien directed his eighth team into the postseason and his fourth to NCAA Tournament play. O’Brien is the fourth OSU coach to earn Big Ten accolades. Randy Ayers won the honor twice in 1991 and 1992 and Eldon Miller in 1983.
Penn sets 3-point shooting record
Scoonie Penn connected on 88 of 229 (.384) 3-pointers last season to place his name at the top of the single season record list at OSU for made 3-pointers and attempts. After two seasons at Boston College and one at Ohio State, Penn has connected on 192 of 552 3-pointers (.348).
Redd joins 500-point club 2nd time
Buckeye junior Michael Redd reached the single-season 500-point mark for the second time in his career. He scored 658 points as a freshman, the 11th highest single-season scoring mark at OSU. He entered the NCAA Tournament with 604 points and increased that total by 99 to 703. He became the ninth Buckeye to score 500 or more twice. Redd’s single season total last year ranks sixth all time. Only Jerry Lucas has managed 500 or more three times.
Redd just 4th Buckeye to score 600+ points twice, 6th to reach 700
Michael Redd has now eclipsed the 600-point mark in a single season twice. He scored a freshman record 658 points and finished with 703 this season. Only all-time leading scorer Dennis Hopson (690 in 1986 and 958 in 1987), Jerry Lucas (710 in 1960, 671 in 1961, 609 in 1962) and Gary Bradds (672 in 1963 and 735 in 1964) have managed 600 or more twice. Lucas is the only one to do it three times. Redd’s 703 points was the sixth highest single season total in OSU history and only the sixth time a player scored 700 or more in a single season. No player has done it more than once.
Penn reaches 500-point mark
Scoonie Penn reached 500 points with his first free throw of the game against Michigan in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament. He averaged 16.9 points in 1998-99. His 609 points made him just the 31st player to reach 500 points in a single season and just the 16th to score 600 or more. Penn tied for 14th on the single season scoring charts with Jerry Lucas, who scored 609 points in 1961-62.
Redd reaches OSU milestone
Michael Redd (1,361) became just the third sophomore in Ohio State history to reach 1,000 points after his 30-point effort against Purdue (1/19/99). Herb Williams (1978-81) and Jim Jackson (1990-92) are the only other Buckeyes to reach 1,000 points at OSU as sophomores. Only five players have scored 1,000 points in their first two seasons at OSU. In addition to Williams and Jackson, Jerry Lucas (1960-62), Dave Sorenson (1968-70) and Brad Sellers (1985-86) each reached 1,000 points in their second year at Ohio State. Lucas and Sorenson were juniors who were not eligible as freshman and Sellers was a senior. He transferred from Wisconsin.
Redd second quickest to 1,000
Buckeye legend Jerry Lucas (1960-62) reached 1,000 points during a 30-point effort against Northwestern Jan. 14, 1961 in his 38th game as a Buckeye. Michael Redd is just the second Buckeye to reach 1,000 points in less than 50 games. He has played in 65 games at Ohio State and has scored 1,346 points.
Two-year OSU 1,000+ scorers
Career 2-Yr. Gms to Player Pts. Total 1,000 Jerry Lucas 1,990 1,381 38 Michael Redd 1,361 1,361 49 Dave Sorenson 1,622 1,041 52 Herb Williams 2,011 1,069 54 Brad Sellers 1,122 1,122 58 Jim Jackson 1,785 1,067 59
OSU 3-point field goal streak extended to 220
Ohio State has connected on at least one 3-point field goal attempt over the last 220 games. Sophomore Boban Savovic extended the streak at the 13:56 mark of the first half against UConn at the Final Four. The last time an OSU team missed all attempts from 3-point range was Feb. 2, 1992 when the Buckeyes went 0 for 5 in a 68-58 OSU win over Michigan. Buckeye opponents have a streak of 212-consecutive games with at least one 3-pointer made. Michigan went 0-10 from long range March 3, 1992 in an OSU 75-66 victory, marking the last time an opponent was held without a 3-pointer.
Miscellaneous notes
Ohio State finished its inaugural season at Value City Arenawith a 14-1 record, winning the last five games in the home arena.With his 99 points scored in the NCAA Tournament, Michael Reddmoved into 18th place in all-time scoring at Ohio State. Reddcurrently has 1,361 points after just 66 career games. He hasnotched double figure scoring in all but two of those games. OhioState is now 11-3 when Redd (20 vs. St. John’s) and Penn (22)combine for 40 or more points. The Buckeyes are 5-2 vs. Big Tenteams when this feat is accomplished.
