Men’s Basketball Hosts The Rockets Wednesday Night – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 21, 1999
No. 16 Ohio State Buckeyes
Probable Starters (5-2)
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.
Toledo Rockets
Probable Starters (6-4)
G 23-Sammy Bacino, 6-2, So.
G 22-Justin Hall, 6-3, So.
G 21-Chad Kamstra, 6-1, Sr.
C 43-A.J. Shellabarger, 6-9, Fr.
F 33-Greg Stempin, 6-8, Jr.
Penn, Redd, Johnson, Buckeyes leading Big Ten in several categories
Ohio State senior center Ken Johnson is leading Big Ten players in blocks this season. Johnson is sending back 5.29 shots per game with 37 blocks on the year. Senior Scoonie Penn is leading league players in assists with 5.29 a contest. Junior Michael Redd is the conference’s best free-throw shooter. He has connected on 19 of 20 freebies for a .950 shooting percentage. As a team, the Buckeyes are first among Big Ten teams in scoring margin (+18.9), rebounding (43.4 rpg.), field goal percentage defense (.348), blocked shots (.7.1 bpg.) and assist to turnover ration (1.23). The Buckeyes are second in rebound margin (+9.1) and turnover margin (.5.14) and defensive rebounds (27.8).
Penn schedule to make 100th career collegiate start vs. Toledo
Ohio State senior guard Scoonie Penn will be making his 100th start of his career against Toledo. Penn has started every game in which he has appeared over two seasons at Boston College and two at Ohio State. As an Eagle at BC, Penn started 56 games from 1995-97. To date at OSU, Penn has 43 starts over the last two seasons.
Redd on double-figure scoring streak
Ohio State junior guard Michael Redd has appeared in 73 games as a Buckeye. He has failed to reach double figures in scoring just twice, a nine-point effort vs. BYU (12/30/97) and an eight-point outing at Michigan (1/16/99). Redd has scored in double figures in 25-consecutive games since the game at Michigan. He scored 10 or more in 34-consecutive contests after the BYU game his freshman season. Redd has scored in double figures in 38-consecutive home games (17 as a freshman, 15 as a sophomore and six as a junior). Redd is the only Buckeye to score in double digits in all seven games this season.
Johnson likely has made final move on OSU career swat chart
Ohio State senior center Ken Johnson likely made his final assault on the Buckeye career blocked shots chart with his eight-rejection night against Eastern Kentucky, which moved him into second-place all-time at Ohio State in career blocks. Johnson trails the 328 recorded blocks by Buckeye great Herb Williams (1978-81). Johnson averaged 1.9 bpg (58/30 gms.) as a sophomore, 2.8 bpg. (100/36 gms.) as a junior and 5.3 bpg. (37/7 gms.) so far this season. Even if Johnson were to average 5.3 blocks a game this season, the Buckeyes would have to play 25 games for Johnson to tie the record. OSU has 20 regular season games remaining and at least one in the Big Ten Tournament.
Five Buckeyes reach double figures in 72-40 win over Eastern Kentucky
Coach Jim O’Brien said Ohio State players are tired after following its last three games. Eastern Kentucky grew tired of watching its shots get swatted back. Ken Johnson blocked eight shots in the Buckeyes’ 72-40 victory over the Colonels last Sunday. Ohio State blocked a total of 13 shots, two under the team record and the most by a Buckeye team since 1981. The Colonels, who came in making 49 percent of their shots from the field, managed only 15 field goals in 62 attempts (24 percent). Eastern Kentucky, which had won four straight, went 7:42 in the first half and 13:32 of the second without a point. Most of that ineffectiveness was a reflection of Johnson’s activities inside. Johnson’s career-high eight blocks were one fewer than the team record shared by Brad Sellers and Herb Williams. No Buckeye has blocked as many shots in a game in 13 years. The 6-foot-11 senior now has 195 career blocked shots to take over second place behind Williams’ unreachable 328. The Colonels came in averaging 81.4 points a game but Perry said Johnson’s intimidation took them out of their game. Michael Redd, Scoonie Penn and George Reese each scored 11 points and Brian Brown and Brent Darby had 10 for the Buckeyes. Chris Garnett and Whitney Robinson each had 10 points for the Colonels, who hit only 3-of-20 from 3-point range. Lavoris Jerry’s follow with 14:43 left in the opening half drew Eastern Kentucky to 14-11. But that was it for the Colonels’ offense for almost eight minutes. They missed their next 12 shots as the Buckeyes reeled off 13 straight points for a 27-11 lead. Five players scored during the Ohio State spurt, with Reese hitting the first five points. Ohio State, which led 36-21 at the half, was ahead 42-29 after the Colonels’ Robinson hit a basket off an Ohio State turnover with 16:44 remaining. Eastern Kentucky didn’t score again until the 3:12 mark on a layup by Robinson, missing 23 consecutive shots from the field while the Buckeyes ran off the next 20 points.
Noting the win over Eastern Kentucky
Ohio State improves to 5-2 on the season with the win. TheBuckeyes remain unbeaten vs. the Ohio Valley Conference (7-0) andEastern Kentucky (2-0). Ken Johnson blocked a career-high eightshots in the contest. The eight blocks are the most in 13 years,dating back to Brad Sellers’ record-tying nine blocks vs. LouisianaTech in the 1986 NIT semifinals. Sellers shares the records withHerb Williams, who blocked nine shots vs. Iowa in 1980. Johnson nowhas 195 blocked shots in his career. He takes over sole possessionof second place on the all-time list, moving past Brad Sellers(187). Only Herb Williams (328) owns more blocked shots thanJohnson. As a team, OSU blocked 13 shots – the second-most in OhioState history and the most in 18 years. OSU’s performance ties the13-block performance vs. Iowa (3/7/81) and is two shy of the recordof 15, set vs. Iowa on Feb. 23, 1980. The 40 points allowed by theBuckeyes are the least since giving up 40 to two teams in the1996-97 season – Northwestern (2/13/97) and Alabama State(12/18/96). The low before those performances was 38, set vs.Delaware (1/11/60) during the 1959-60 National Championship season.Will Dudley swatted four shots in the game, setting a career high.His previous high was one, which he has set several times. OhioState hit 15 of 17 free throws (88.2%), including all 12 attemptsin the second half. The performance is OSU’s best ever at ValueCity Arena, breaking the previous high of 81 percent, set vs.Vermont earlier this year. The Buckeyes held an opponent to lessthan 60 points for the fifth time this season. The Colonels’19-point second half was the lowest scoring half of any opponentthis season. Ohio State has now connected on at least onethree-point field goal over the last 227 games. Michael Reddextended the streak with a trey at the 12:23 mark of the firsthalf. For the second time this season, Ohio State placed fivescorers in double figures – Michael Redd (11), Scoonie Penn (11),George Reese (11), Brian Brown (10) and Brent Darby (10). OSU hashad at least four scorers in double figures in each of the lastfive games. With his 11-point performance, Michael Redd has scoredin double figures in all but two of his 73 career games. BrentDarby scored a career-high 10 points in the contest. He had fourpoints entering the game. Darby also drilled his first two careerthree-pointers. Doylan Robinson grabbed a career-high ninerebounds, doubling his season total of nine. His previous high wasfour, set vs. Duquesne (12/4/99). Brian Brown scored 10 points inthe game – his fourth straight double-digit scoring performance.
Redd/Penn closing in on 1,500 points
The Ohio State guard tandem of senior Scoonie Penn and junior Michael Redd are each closing in on career point 1,500. Redd has 1,470 career points, good for 15th on the OSU career list, leaving him 30 points shy of 1,500. Penn, who spent two seasons at Boston College, has scored 1,455 career points. Penn tallied 737 while at BC and has 718 at Ohio State.
Numerically noting the Buckeyes
Scoonie Penn: Penn is closing in on 100 career starts…he has99 including 43 at Ohio State..Penn is closing in on 400 careerassists…with 37 this year, his career total is 378, 191 coming atOSU…500 career field goals will be reached with 20 more thisseason, Penn has 480 in his career, 237 at Ohio State. MichaelRedd: Redd has started all 73 games of his career…he reached 100career 3-pointers made with three at Kansas (102-316)…he claimed15th on the OSU career scoring list with 20 points at Kansas…Reddhas 1,470 career points…Redd is 19 of 20 from the foul line thisyear. George Reese: Reese has nearly doubled his offensive outputfrom a year ago…he averaged 5.5 points last season and is thirdon the team this year at 11.1 ppg. Reese needs 25 points to reach300 at Ohio State. Ken Johnson: Johnson has started the last 44games at center…Johnson has 195 career blocks and is averaging5.3 bpg. (37) this season…Johnson has 15 career games with fiveor more blocks, he had three as a freshman, seven last year andfive this season in seven games…Johnson is a career 52 percentshooter from the field (199-382) and is connecting on 69 percentthis season (22-32). Will Dudley: Dudley is a career 68 percentshooter from the field…he has connected on 26-38 shots from thefield in 22 career games.
Blocks, steals excels OSU defense
Ohio State, led by senior center Ken Johnson’s 37 blocks, has rejected 50 shots this season while foes have just 19. Senior guard Scoonie Penn leads the team with 13 steals. OSU leads opponents 42-32 in thefts.
No DQs are Ok with OSU
Ohio State has not had a player foul out this season and has not had a player disqualified since Jason Singleton fouled out in the Big Ten Tournament loss to Illinois last season (March 6, 1999). OSU has gone 12-consecutive games without a disqualification. OSU guard Scoonie Penn has not fouled out of a game in his last 48 contests (last vs. Villanova 2/27/96 while at Boston College). The OSU starting five (Redd (1), Penn (0), Johnson (1), Reese (1) and Brown (1)) have combined for just four ejections in the last two seasons.
Buckeyes spend last 17 weeks in AP poll
Ohio State spent the final 10 weeks of the 1998-99 season and the first seven weeks of 1999-00 ranked among the Top 25 teams nationally in the Associated Press Poll. The Buckeyes finished 1998-99 No. 14 in the AP and No. 4 in the ESPN/USA Today polls. OSU is currently 16th in the AP and 20th in the ESPN/USA Today polls (12/20/99)
Buckeyes hit the boards early on with Columbus connection
Ohio State is averaging 43.4 rebounds a contest, which is nearly 10 more than opponents (34.3) after the first seven games of the season. Junior Michael Redd leads the way with 7.6 rpg. Senior George Reese is next at 7.3 rpg. Both Redd and Reese hail from Columbus.
Centers click for Buckeyes
The OSU center position, made up of senior Ken Johnson and sophomore Will Dudley, has combined to shoot 34 of 49 (.694) from the field so far this season. Johnson is 22-32 (.688) and Dudley is 12-17 (.706) from the floor in 1999-00. Both, by the way, play the piano.
Rockets hit Columbus following win over Youngstown
Prior to its game at Youngstown State (a 63-57 Rocket win), Toledo traveled to Ohio University to begin a stretch of games vs. four-consecutive schools in the state of Ohio, all on the road. The Rockets did not get the streak off on the right foot with a loss to the Bobcats, 66-57. Junior forward Greg Stempin led the way for Toledo with 16 points and seven rebounds. Both teams shot poorly from the field (40 pct. for UT and 37 pct. for OU) but the Bobcats connected on 18 of 35 free throws while the Rockets made just 3 of 12 attempts. OU also won the battle of the boards 51-34. After facing Ohio State in the third game of UT’s state tour, the Rockets travel to Xavier for a Dec. 30 contest. Against Youngstown, Stempin again led the way with 27 points and nine rebounds. Justin Hall added 17 points and 14 rebounds for Toledo.
Rockets 6-4 following win over Youngstown
Toledo opened the season with a win over George Mason (82-74) but then ran into Michigan State. The Spartans held Toledo to just 33 points in a 78-33 route in East Lansing. Southwest Missouri State then handed the Rockets a 68-59 defeat. Toledo regrouped for wins over Florida International (75-62) and Oakland (74-65) at the Hawaii Pacific Classic. Appalachian State then downed the Rockets 68-65 at the Marquette Coca Cola Classic before Toledo defeated Western Michigan (71-59) in the consolation game. Oakland then hosted the Rockets in a regular season contest but fell for the second time, 76-50. Toledo then lost to Ohio University in Athens, 66-57 before heading to Youngstown State (W 63-57).
Stempin thrusts Rockets
Toledo junior Greg Stempin leads the Rockets at 19.2 points per game and 9.6 rebounds. Two other Rockets also average double figures in scoring, sophomore Justin Hall (14.7 ppg.) and senior Chad Kamstra (10.7 ppg.).
Joplin in fourth season at Toledo
Stan Joplin is in his fourth season as Toledo’s head coach. Joplin played at Toledo from 1976-79 before becoming an assistant at Kent (1983-84), Toledo (1985-90) and Michigan State (1991-96). He has coached Toledo to a 53-39 record at Toledo and has won the Mid-American Conference West division last year. The Rockets were 19-9 last season. He helped Toledo as a player advance to the NCAA Sweet 16 as a senior. He was a part of four NCAA Tournaments and a pair of NIT appearances at Michigan State. .
Ohio State 4-4 vs. Toledo
Ohio State and Toledo first played Dec. 26, 1918 in Toledo with the Rockets claiming victory, 30-27. The first four games were played in Toledo. The Rockets made their first trip to Columbus Dec. 17, 1975. The Buckeyes won that meeting 76-72. OSU returned to Toledo Nov. 30, 1975 and lost 64-58. OSU took the lead in the series in 1998 with an 84-74 win Dec. 3 but had the series tied last year with a 64-63 loss on the road. OSU is 2-4 in Toledo and 2-0 in Columbus.
Ohio State 47-13 vs. the MAC
The game with Toledo will be the 61st meeting for Ohio State with a member of the Mid-American Conference. The Buckeyes have played every member of the league at least once and have put together a 47-13 (.770) record against the conference. The Buckeyes have played every member of only six conferences–ACC, Big East, Ivy League, MAC, PAC 10 and the Big Ten. OSU vs. the MAC
Akron 6-1
Ball State 2-1
Bowling Green 3-2
Central Michigan 1-0
Eastern Michigan 1-0
Kent State 4-0
Marshall 1-0
Miami (OH) 4-1
Northern Illinois 1-0
Ohio University 17-4
Toledo 4-4
Western Michigan 3-0
Totals 47-13
Ohio State owns winning record over Ohio Division I schools
The Buckeyes have an overall record of 55-20 (.733) over the Division I Ohio universities. None of the 11 intrastate rivals has a winning record over OSU. Only Cincinnati (4-4) has split with the Buckeyes.
Akron 6-1
Bowling Green 3-2
Cincinnati 4-4
Cleveland State 4-1
Dayton 3-2
Kent 4-0
Miami, Ohio 4-1
Ohio University 17-4
Toledo 4-4
Wright State 2-0
Xavier 2-1
Youngstown State 2-0
Totals 55-20
Redd leads Big Ten teams in free throw shooting
Ohio State junior Michael Redd has connected on 19-20 of his free throws this season. He leads all Big Ten players from the foul line with .950 shooting percentage. He is a career 63 percent foul shooter (284-451). As a team, the Buckeyes are shooting 72 percent (117-163) from the line this season.
OSU 3-point field goal streak extended to 227
Ohio State has connected on at least one 3-point field goal attempt over the last 227 games. Junior Michael Redd extended the streak with a trey early in the first half against Eastern Kentucky. 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 219-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.
Home Sweet Home
Ohio State will play nine of its first 10 games at home, including 7 of 8 contests in December. The only road trip before Big Ten play begins Jan. 6 on the road at Illinois was the matchup at Kansas.
1999 Final Four banner unveiled
A banner celebrating the 1999 Final Four appearance by the Ohio State men’s basketball team was unveiled in a pregame ceremony Nov. 29 vs. Vermont. The banner will hang at Value City Arena throughout the 1999-00 season and then will be moved to the Ohio State practice facility. The banner was raised by 1998-99 captains Neshaun Coleman and Jason Singleton.
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.
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.
VCA sold out for 1999-00 Big Ten season
The entire 1999-00 home Big Ten 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.
Buckeyes sign three for 2000-01
Jim O’Brien, Ohio State head men’s basketball coach, announced the signing of three highly recruited players to be added to the Buckeye program. Matt Marinchick (Hudson, Ohio), Velimir Radinovic (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) and Zach Williams (Middle Village, N.Y.) all signed letters of intent Nov. 11.
Marinchick (Ma-RIN-chick), a 6-10 center from Hudson (Ohio) H.S. is ranked No. 20 nationally at his position by Athlons Sports. He led his high school team with 12.8 points per game as a junior.
Radinovic (VEL-ah-mere Ra-DIN-o-vich) is a 7-0 center/forward from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Last season, he averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds at T.A. Blakelock High School in Toronto.
Williams, a 6-6 power forward comes to Ohio State as the No. 4-ranked player in New York. Williams, of Christ the King High School, averaged 15 pts. and 8 rebs on his high school team that was ranked No. 3 in the nation last season
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.
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.
