Jim O’Brien’s Quotes from Teleconference – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/8/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
February 8, 1999
On getting 8 Big Ten teams in the NCAA
“I think the way things have changed with the process with how teams get in, we have a real possibility if it all gets done by the numbers and the computers. After you take out the automatic qualifiers, everyone else goes into a bowl and regardless of what conference you are in it will be determined by the RPI and computers. I don’t think conference affiliation plays a big factor.
“The way I look at it (determination) gets done by the numbers (RPI, computer rankings, strength of schedule). If we have eight (Big Ten) teams it should not matter. If that is the way it works we have a chance to get quite a few teams from the Big Ten in the tournament. Quite a few teams have good RPIs right now.”
Guarding Michigan’s Josh Asselin (22 pts., 10 rebs., in last meeting)
“The biggest thing is to keep (OSU junior center) Ken Johnson in the game. He got in foul trouble early and did not play much the last game with them. I think Johnson has to play a lot of minutes. They played exceptionally well. They did a good job and we had a hard time guarding (Asselin). Asselin had his way with us because of his size.”
Difference in Buckeyes from last year to this year
“I think there are a number of things. (Junior guard) Scoonie (Penn) is not a small part. The way we are playing has helped (senior forward) Jason Singleton. A style that goes up and down the court a little more has allowed him to utilize his skills. We also have more players. We lost Carlos Davis and replaced him with three guys, George Reese, Boban Savovic and Brian Brown. Depthwise we are a little stronger as well. We are physically stronger and more mature.”
On the turnaround from last year
“I am very surprised that we are where we are. I never thought going in this year we would find ourselves where we are. Our players have not flinched since we started this season and have been committed to working hard.” On being ranked No. 13 (AP/ESPN/USA Today)
“I have a hard time believing there are not 13 better teams out there than we are. We have done well to this point and have been fortunate to beat some ranked teams. We have some good wins. But I still remain very cautious with where we are with our team.”
Michigan having played Sunday and again Tuesday like Purdue playing Thursday and OSU Saturday
“It is never easy to play Sunday and have one day between and having that day to travel. We were tired in practice yesterday (Sunday) so we backed off. We had a hard game and got back late Saturday. It is hard for Michigan because they have a travel day. Everyone goes through those stages.”
Philosophy change from last year to this season
“We are playing more like I like to play and I think we are pressing more than I did at Boston College but that is because we are more athletic. Our philosophy is similar to how we played at BC this year.”
Changes from a first-year coach to the next
“You have more of an opportunity to get to know your players and them to get to know you. Everything is new. It takes time for guys to get familiar with how you run drills, conduct practices, etc.”
On OSU getting into the NCAA Tournament this year
Unless you win out and we end with 23 wins it is not automatic. There has been some recent situations where people have not got in with 19 or 20 wins. There have been a couple instances with teams having 19 or 20 and not get in. You can’t take anything for granted. We have some wins over ranked opponents. We are just trying to keep a very consistent approach and not let anything else get in the way of that.”
On the positives this season
“The two wins on the road recently (at Illinois 64-61 and at Purdue 80-69) have really helped us. Earlier when we won the Puerto Rico Holiday Classic and started the conference back up (after beating Penn State in November) and won at Wisconsin. Those have all been significant.”
Feb. 8, 1999
Jason Singleton, OSU senior forward on playing Michigan
“Being at home and with our fans that is definitely going to help us. But being the Big Ten, it is not going to be easy, so we have to come out, play aggressive and out work them.”
“I want to go out and play hard. I want my teammates to come out and play hard and if we do that, we can come out on top.”
“We just have to play our game, try to be positive, try to work hard and just try to get a win.”
On the No. 13 ranking in both polls
“We are not really impressed with the polls. We are sticking together right now and by doing that we can be successful in the Big Ten and not worry about the polls. We just need to worry about winning each game.”
“Michigan is a very big team. They are aggressive and physical. They have great guards. We just have to play hard and out play them. It is going to be a great game.”
Michael Redd, OSU sophomore guard
“To beat Illinois and Purdue that is great for our confidence. We have to keep that going and play hard against Michigan.”
“The team is just thinking about Michigan and not the polls. We will let the future determine itself. Hopefully we will keep on winning and stay on pace with Michigan State.”
“Last time against Michigan, they just outplayed us. We are the same team, same roster. It is all about coming out and playing harder.”
“The fans will be behind us and that will help our energy in the game, so hopefully we can turn things around against Michigan.”
“We need to win the rest of our home games. That is the key for us.”
“We have to play better post defense against Michigan and also adjust to the zone.”
Neshaun Coleman, OSU senior guard
“With six games left trying to stay focused is the biggest thing. The games our coming so fast now that you have to be ready right after the game you just played, so the big thing now is just to be ready for Michigan.”
“I have been staying everyday after practice along with Kwadro (Steele) and just shooting and that has help me in staying focused.”
On the game against Michigan
“We need to begin the game with a real good start. I think that was the key for Michigan last time. We need to set the tone that we are going to be aggressive throughout the whole game and play as hard as we can.”
Noting the Purdue Game (2/6)
In two games against the Boilermakers the Buckeyes have nevertrailed in 80 minutes of basketball. Ohio State downed Purdue 72-43in Columbus and 80-69 in West Lafayette. Buckeye junior ScooniePenn had five points with 6:34 to play and Ohio State attempting tohold off a fierce Purdue rally. PU went on a 17-5 run cutting a24-point (65-41) OSU lead to 12 (70-58) with 6:34 to play beforePenn scored Ohio State’s final 10 points on a pair of layups andtwo 3-pointers to secure the Buckeye victory. The Buckeyes woneight games last season and have already improved that mark by ninewins this year (17-6). The record for improving in the win columnfrom one season to the next at Ohio State is 14 from 1958-59(11-11) to 1959-60 (25-3). The Buckeyes won the national title in1960. Ohio State has made two, 10-game improvements 1918-19 (7-12)to 1919-1920 (17-10) and from 1990-91 (17-13) to 1991-1992 (27-4).In five of the seven years in which the Buckeyes have improved inthe win column from one season to next by at least eight games,Ohio State has won or shared the Big Ten title five times. OhioState’s seventh win in the Big Ten is the most since the 1993 teamwent 8-10. The 1993 squad also was the last to secure a winningseason at Ohio State. The Buckeyes were assured a winning campaignafter the win over Illinois (1/30). The sweep of the Boilermakersis the first since the 1992 season when Ohio State won in Columbus(71-59) and at Purdue (71-64). Ohio State has won consecutive roadgames in the Big Ten for the first time since the 1992 season whenOhio State won at Michigan State 78-65 (Feb. 29) and at Minnesota94-63 (March 14). Ohio State has now won three league road gamesthis season, the most since 1992 when OSU won seven. Ohio State nowhas a record of 5-2 against opponents ranked in the AP Top 25. OhioState last won five games against the ranked was in 1992 when theBuckeyes were 5-3 vs. the ranked. Ohio State was 6-9 vs. the rankedin 1989-90. Ohio State has now won two road games vs. rankedopponents for the first time since 1992 when the No. 8 Buckeyes wonat No. 12 Michigan State 78-65 (2/29/92) and at No. 15 Michigan68-58 (2/2/92). After taking a 49-34 lead at the half againstPurdue, the Buckeyes are 15-2 when leading at the half this season.Nine different players scored for the Buckeyes in the first 20minutes against the Boilermakers. Purdue managed just a 37 percent(21-57) shooting effort for the field. Ohio State has now held 13of 23 opponents under 40 percent from the field. Jason Singletonwent over the 900-point mark in his career with 10 at Illinois. Hehas 923 career points after a 6 of 6 effort and 14 points at Purdueto move him closer to becoming the third Buckeye to reach 1,000points this season (Redd, Penn). Senior Neshaun Coleman connectedon three 3-point attempts to give him 133 made 3-pointers for hiscareer. He ranks second all-time in both 3-pointers made andconnected (392). He has made 8 of his last 10 attempts fromthree-point range. Junior Ken Johnson has 63 blocks this season tosurpass his effort last year as a sophomore (58). Johnson’s singleseason total this year is the most since Brad Sellers swatted 97 in1986. Johnson’s averaged this year of 2.7 blocks per game is themost (so far) since Sellers averaged 2.9 in 1986. Michael Reddmoved into the No. 32 spot all-time in career scoring with 15against Illinois. He has scored 1,098 career points after a20-point effort at Purdue (2/6). He needs two points to reach the1,100 scored by Mel Nowell (1960-62). Ohio State has connected onat least one three-point field goal attempt over the last 207games. Neshaun Coleman extended the streak at Purdue with a trey atthe 14:20 mark of the first half.
