Quotes and Notes from Northwestern Game – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/20/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
February 20, 1999
Quotes – Ohio State vs. Northwestern Attendance: (18,686)
Northwestern head coach Kevin O’Neill
“We obviously played better defensively. We played well enough defensively to win. When you have 26 turnovers, you’re not going to win. We didn’t take care of the ball. We are no secret. People have figured us out – double Eschmeyer. We’re a little hooked if we can’t get Eschmeyer the ball.”
“They did everything right. Our advantage is Eschmeyer. He’s taken away when there’s fouls not called.”
“If we came here 50 times this year, we’d lose 48. We’re 6-8 in the league and we’d be 0-14 without him. Eschmeyer is a big part of our foundation. He’s been nothing but great for us.”
Northwestern center Evan Eschmeyer
“That is a typical game for me. People are going try to be physical, a lot of grabbing. Ohio State was really aggressive. They changed up the double teams on me. I think we did a good job, but we lost too many opportunities.”
“In fairness to the refs, this is a pretty tough game to call. I felt there was a lot more holding and grabbing, and pretty much just more physical.”
“We weren’t crisp today. They had a couple runs. I thought we did better defensively than in the last three losses we’ve had.”
“Ohio State, I think is the most athletic team in the Big Ten. Scoonie Penn does a great job running the ball.”
[Regarding the NCAA Tournament] “We are still right there. It is not a big concern for us. We just want to keep on improving ourselves.”
Ohio State head coach Jim O’Brien
“We are developing the ability to play a lot of different styles. It’s hard to play these slow games. You don’t have many opportunities to score. We had to change things on the fly.”
“You can hope to contain Eschmeyer, but you can’t stop him. We are happy he only took five shots. Our pressure had something to do with that, especially in the second half. He had to play in the backcourt with the ball. Our pressure wore them down.” “Neshaun helped win this game for us. You have to be happy for Jason and Neshaun. They have stuck with this program through its down times and now as seniors they are getting the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament.”
“Scoonie was in absolute control out there. He is so quick with the basketball. It’s just fun to watch him play.”
Game Notes – Ohio State vs. Northwestern
* Ohio State now holds a 95-44 series edge over Northwestern after the 59-49 win. The Buckeyes have now beaten the Wildcats 20 consecutive times in Columbus, dating back to the 1977 season. OSU leads the all-time series in Columbus 57-14.
* Ohio State has now defeated nine different teams in the Big Ten for the first time since Penn State was introduced as the Big Ten’s 11th member. The Buckeyes last defeated nine different teams in Big Ten play during the 1990-91 season, when the OSU notched at least one win over every Big Ten squad.
* The Buckeyes have won 11 games in the Big Ten. OSU last accomplished that feat during the 1992 season when they went 15-3. OSU has managed double-digit wins in the league 24 times and only four times in the last 14 years (1990, ’91, ’92, ’99).
* OSU has now won six straight games in Big Ten play for the first time since a six-game streak from Feb. 26, 1992 to March 14, 1992. The last time the Buckeyes won more games in a row in conference play was a streak from Feb. 3, 1991 to March 3, 1991, when the Buckeyes rolled off eight straight conference wins.
* Ohio State has now hit a three-point goal in 211 consecutive games. Scoonie Penn extended the streak with a trey midway through the first half. Penn has extended the streak 10 times this season.
* With the win, Ohio State head coach Jim O’Brien now has a winning record (29-28) during his two-year tenure at OSU.
* Neshaun Coleman scored a season high 16 points in the contest. His previous high was 11, set in the season opener (11/13/98) against Oakland University.
* Coleman continued his move up the Ohio State career three-point shooting charts, as he drilled three of seven three-point attempts. He is now 140 of 417 and stands second in both three-point goals made and attempted, trailing Jamie Skelton by four and five, respectively.
* The stingy Ohio State defense held Naismith, Robertson, and Wooden Award candidate Evan Eschmeyer to a season-low 10 points and three field goals, while forcing him to commit five turnovers, one off his season high. Eschmeyer’s previous season lows were 11 points and three field goals against Iowa (1/3/99). The Wildcats’ center is averaging 20.2 points per game (third in the league) and 11.0 rebounds per game (first in the league).
* OSU’s defense also forced 26 Northwestern turnovers, the most the Buckeyes have forced in Big Ten play. OSU’s season-high for turnovers forced is 27, set against Army (11/22/98). The Buckeyes held Northwestern to just seven points over the last 9:11 of the contest.
* After nailing six of 13 three-point attempts, Ohio State is now on the brink of breaking school records in both categories. The Buckeyes are just one made three-pointer away from breaking the school record of 160, set during the 1994-95 season. OSU is just two away from breaking the three-point goals attempted record of 458, set last season.
* Michael Redd scored 13 points in the contest, marking the 55th time in his 57 career games that he has broken into double figures. He also added a team-high six rebounds.
