Men’s Basketball Stays on The Road To Take on The Wildcats – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/14/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 14, 2000
No. 17 Ohio State Buckeyes
Probable Starters (10-3, 2-1)
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 34-Cobe Ocokoljic, 6-8, Fr.
Northwestern Wildcats
Probable Starters (4-10, 0-2)
G 32-Collier Drayton, 6-2, So.
G Ben Johnson, 6-2, Fr.
C Aaron Jennings, 6-11, Fr.
F Tavaras Hardy, 6-8, So.
F Steve Lapore, 6-5, So.
Redd 8 points away from OSU Top 10
Michael Redd is in 11th place all-time at OSU in scoring with 1,564 career points. With eight more points this season, he will crack the OSU Top 10 list in career scoring. Buckeye great Allen Hornyak (1971-73) is currently 10th on the scoring list with 1,572 career points.
Johnson Badgers Wisconsin in win
Ken Johnson’s block party stole the show from Michael Redd and Scoonie Penn. Johnson had 13 points, 14 rebounds and six blocked shots as Ohio State got its first road win of the season by holding off Wisconsin 53-51 Thursday night. Redd and Penn, the Buckeyes’ high-scoring backcourt, went a combined 11-of-30 from the field against the Badgers’ heavy defensive pressure. But Johnson’s offensive rebounding and timely defensive intimidation led the Buckeyes to a tough road win. Johnson limited the Badgers’ inside game and frightened their outside shooters with four second-half blocks. He led the Big Ten in blocks (5.0) entering the game, having blocked seven shots in Ohio State’s last game against Minnesota and he had eight earlier this season against American and Eastern Kentucky. Penn’s driving layup with 1:09 left turned out to be the game-winner, but Ohio State had to survive two missed 3-pointers by the Badgers in the closing moments, including Kirk Penney’s airball with two seconds to play. The Buckeyes forced four turnovers and held Wisconsin to four points the game’s final 5:32. Penn and Redd each had 14 points in a matchup of the Big Ten’s best defensive teams. Mark Vershaw had 16 points to lead the Badgers’ struggling offense, which shot 8-for-27 in the second half. Noting the win over Wisconsin
Ohio State is the only Big Ten team undefeated inWisconsin’s Kohl Center (3-0). The Buckeyes earned theironly Big Ten win if the season in 1997-98 at Wisconsin and won inovertime to launch OSU’s run to the Final Four last year.Ken Johnson, second in the nation in blocked shots, rejected sixBadger attempts to give him 66 on the year after 13 games (5.1). Hehas 13 blocks in the last two games (7 vs. Minnesota). Ken Johnsonrecorded his third career double-double with 13 points and acareer-high 14 rebounds vs. the Badgers. His previous career highof 12 rebounds also came against Wisconsin, last year at the KohlCenter (1/2/99). Ken Johnson recorded his third careerdouble-double with 13 points and a career-high 14 rebounds vs. theBadgers. His previous career high of 12 rebounds also came againstWisconsin, last year at the Kohl Center (1/2/99). Michael Reddrecorded two assists vs. the Badgers to give him 201 for hiscareer.
Redd, Penn, Reese picking up play in Big Ten contests
The Ohio State scoring trio of Michael Redd, Scoonie Penn and George Reese have increased their offensive outputs since Big Ten Conference play began. Redd has upped his scoring from 15.6 to 18.0 ppg. Penn is up to 15.2 to 16.7 ppg and Reese is up from 11.8 to 14.7 ppg. Ken Johnson has increased his rebounding from 6.3 to 9.0 rpg. in league play.
ONN to replay OSU men’s hoops
The Ohio News Network will replay eight Big Ten OSU men’s basketball games this season beginning with the Minnesota contest Jan. 9. Replays begin at 11 p.m. EST the night of the game on ONN. The other games are: Jan. 15 at Northwestern, Jan. 29 vs. Purdue, Feb. 2 vs. Wisconsin, Feb. 9 vs. Iowa, Feb. 12 vs. Penn State, Feb. 19 at Indiana and Feb. 23 vs. Northwestern.
Redd among 30 finalists for Wooden Award, Penn still being considered
Ohio State junior guard Michael Redd is listed among the 30 finalists for the 2000 John R. Wooden Award. Ohio State senior Scoonie Penn is still under consideration but is not listed among the mid-season Top 30.
OSU guards successful at foul line
The OSU guard rotation of Michael Redd, Scoonie Penn, Brian Brown and Brent Darby have been deadly from the foul line this season. Redd has made 30 of 32 shots (.938) followed by Brown (24-29, .828), Penn (42-56, .750) and Darby (11-15, .733). Combined, the four have made 107 of 132 for 81.2 percent accuracy.
Johnson records 200th career block, now 12th on Big Ten list
Buckeye senior Ken Johnson has 224 blocks in his career after swatting six shots against Wisconsin. Johnson is just the second Buckeye and the 12th Big Ten player to reach 200 career blocks. Herb Williams (1977-81) leads OSU and is fourth all-time among Big Ten players with 328 rejections.
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 5.10 shots per game with 66 blocks on the year. As a team, the Buckeyes are first among Big Ten teams in scoring margin (+15.7), rebounding (41.7), field goal percentage defense (.359) and blocked shots (6.92). The Buckeyes are second in scoring defense (58.1), rebound margin (+7.9) and defensive rebounds (27.15).
Penn makes 100th career collegiate start vs. Toledo
Ohio State senior guard Scoonie Penn made the 100th start of his career against Toledo (12/22). 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 49 starts over the last two seasons.
Redd begins another double-figure scoring streak
Ohio State junior guard Michael Redd has appeared in 79 games as a Buckeye. He has failed to reach double figures in scoring just three times, a nine-point effort vs. BYU (12/30/97), an eight-point outing at Michigan (1/16/99) and a career-low four-point outing against Oakland (12/27/99). Redd had scored in double figures in 26-consecutive games before the Oakland game. He scored 10 or more in 34-consecutive contests after the BYU game his freshman season. He has reached double digits in his last four games, including the 14-point effort vs. Wisconsin (1/13/00).
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 (224) 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 5.10 bpg. (66/13 gms.) so far this season.
Redd, Penn reach 1,500 points
The Ohio State guard tandem of senior Scoonie Penn and junior Michael Redd each reached career point 1,500 this season. Redd eclipsed the mark with 19 against American (12/29) and has 1,564 career points, good for 11th on the OSU career list. Penn, who spent two seasons at Boston College, has scored 1,524 career points. Penn tallied 737 while at BC and has 806 at Ohio State.
Team Notes
Ohio State has scored 70 or more points in nine games this season and has an 8-1 record in those games…Since making eight of 11 free throws in the opener against Notre Dame (L 59-57), the Buckeyes have made at least 10 charity tosses in 11 of the last 12 contests…The Buckeyes have made more free throws (189) than opponents have attempted (180)…Ohio State has held 10 of 13 opponents under 65 points this season and has a 9-1 record in those games…OSU has reached double digits in offensive rebounds in all but one game this season (7 vs. Vermont)…Ohio State has blocked at least one opponent shot in the last 50 games (0 vs. Penn State, 2/28/98)–Ken Johnson has started the last 49 games.
Numerically noting the Buckeyes
Scoonie Penn: Penn made his 300th career free throw with a 6-6effort against Minnesota (1/9)…he has made 306 of 406 (.754)career free throws…Penn reached 100 career starts vs. Toledo(12/22)…he has 49 at Ohio State…Penn is closing in on 400career assists…with 56 this year, his career total is 397, 210coming at OSU…he made his 500th career field goal vs. Minnesota(1/9)…Penn has 509 in his career, 266 at Ohio State…Penn playedhis 3,500th career minute vs. Illinois…he has 3,609 minutesplayed in his career…Penn has played 30 or more minutes in 10games this season, including all 40 at Kansas (12/16)…sincefailing to record a steal in the season opener against Notre Dame,Penn has at least one theft in 12-consecutive contests. MichaelRedd: Redd has started all 79 games in his career…he claimed 11thon the OSU career scoring list with 25 points vs. Minnesota(1/9)…Redd has 1,564 career points…Redd is 30 of 32 (.938) fromthe foul line this year…he is a career 64 percent free throwshooter (295-463)…Redd has connected on at least one 3-pointer in12 of 13 games this season (0-2 vs. Oakland)…with five more freethrows made this season, Redd will reach 300 makes for hiscareer…in the rebound category, Redd is nearing the 500 mark…hehas 487 for an average of 6.2 rpg…Redd reached 200 career assistswith two at Wisconsin (1/13)…he has 201 for his career. KenJohnson: Johnson has started the last 49 games at center…Johnsonhas 224 career blocks and is averaging 5.1 bpg. (66) thisseason…Johnson has 18 career games with five or more blocks, hehad three as a freshman, seven last year and eight this season in13 games…Johnson is a career 52 percent shooter from the field(216-416) and is connecting on 59 percent this season (39-66).Brian Brown: Brown has doubled his offensive output this seasonwith an average of 8.9 points a game…he averaged 4.1 as afreshman…he also is shooting nearly 45 percent better from thefoul line…Brown shot just 51.9 percent as a freshman (27-52) fromthe free-throw line…this season, Brown has connected on 24-29(.828)…he has made 19 of 31 field goal attempts (.613) in hislast five games…he has scored in double figures in six games thisseason after reaching 10 points just twice as a freshman. CobeOcokoljic: Ocokoljic cracked the starting lineup vs. Oakland(12/27)…he has played double-figure minutes in eight of 13 gamesand four of the last seven, including a career high 32 minutes vs.American (12/29). George Reese: Reese has doubled his offensiveoutput from a year ago…he averaged 5.5 points last season and isthird on the team this year at 11.8 ppg…he connected on 42percent of his shots as a junior (73-174) but has upped thatpercentage to 50.0 (63-126)…he scored 18-second half points onhis way to a career high 24 vs. Illinois (1/6/00). Brent Darby:Darby made a huge 3-pointer with 7:02 remaining in the second halfvs. Wisconsin (1/13) for his only points of the game…he has made58 percent of his 3-pointers this season (7-12)…seven of his 10field goals this season have been 3-pointers. . Will Dudley: Dudleyis a career 67 percent shooter from the field…he has connected on32-48 shots from the field in 25 career games…he has made 18-27(.667) shots this season.
Blocks, steals excels OSU defense
Ohio State, led by senior center Ken Johnson’s 66 blocks, has rejected 90 shots this season while foes have just 38. Senior guard Scoonie Penn leads the team with 28 steals. OSU leads opponents 78-69 in thefts.
Buckeyes spend last 20 weeks in AP poll
Ohio State spent the final 10 weeks of the 1998-99 season and the first 10 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 17th in the AP and 18th in the ESPN/USA Today polls (1/10/99)
Buckeyes hit the boards early with Columbus connection
Ohio State is averaging 41.7 rebounds a contest, which is 7.9 more than opponents (33.8) after the first 13 games of the season. Junior Michael Redd leads the way with 6.9 rpg. Senior George Reese is next at 6.5 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 57 of 85 (.671) from the field so far this season. Johnson is 39-66 (.591) and Dudley is 18-27 (.667) from the floor in 1999-00. Both, by the way, play the piano.
Wildcats lose home contest with Penn State
Northwestern scored the first basket of Thursday’s men’s basketball game with Penn State, but after that it was all Nittany Lions as they jumped out to a large lead quickly and defeated the Wildcats, 82-49, at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tavaras Hardy got the ’Cats on the board in the first minute on a layup, but PSU answered when Titus Ivory hit a 3-pointer. This spurred the Lions, who quickly extended the lead to 15-4. The crushing blow came in the final 10 minutes of the half, when Penn State held the Wildcats without a field goal while turning a 19-10 lead into a 45-15 halftime advantage. The Wildcats showed a much better side in the second half, but still got outscored 37-34 in the stanza by PSU. One bright spot throughout the night for NU was the play of freshman Brody Deren. In his first game back after missing several weeks with a radial head fracture of the elbow, Deren scored 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Northwestern fell to 4-10 (0-2 Big Ten), while Penn State improved to 9-5 (1-2 Big Ten). Stephens led all scorers with 22 points, while NU’s Johnson chipped in 13 points to complement Deren.
Buckeyes 25-2 when ranked vs. Northwestern
Ohio State has taken an Associated Press Top 25 ranking into 27 games against Northwestern since 1950. The Buckeyes have come away with a 25-2 record (.926) in those games. The last time Northwestern defeated a ranked Ohio State team was in 1989 when the unranked Wildcats won 70-69 over the No. 16 Buckeyes.
Wildcats on 5-game skid
Northwestern opened the season with a win over Chicago State but then dropped five-consecutive contests before a trio of wins over Nicholls State, Jacksonville and Western Carolina. The Wildcats have lost their last five games entering the contest with the Buckeyes. The only common opponent this season has been the Oakland Grizzlies. OSU downed Oakland 76-50, Dec. 27. Oakland defeated Northwestern in Evanston Jan. 2, 60-41.
Johnson, Lepore lead Wildcats
Northwestern freshman Ben Davis (6-2, G, Minneapolis, Minn.) leads the Wildcats in scoring with an average of 12.3 points per game. Sophomore Steve Lepore (6-5, G, North Olmstead, Ohio) is next at 10.9 ppg. Tavaras Hardy (6-8, So., F, Joliet, Ill.) is the team’s leading rebounder with 5.8 rpg.
O’Neill in third season at Northwestern
Northwestern head coach Kevin O’Neill has been at Northwestern for three seasons and has compiled a record of 29-41 (.414). Over 11 seasons as a Division I head coach, he has a record of 169-161. O’Neill coached for five seasons at Marquette and three at Tennessee.
The Northwestern series
Ohio State leads the all-time series with Northwestern 95-44 following a 59-49 win over the Wildcats last year in Columbus (2/20/99). Ohio State leads 38-30 in Evanston and 57-14 in Columbus. Northwestern’s last win in the series was a 70-62 win in Evanston Feb. 21, 1998.
OSU vs. the Big Ten
Ohio State played its 1,200th game against the current alignment of Big Ten teams against Indiana (Jan. 9, 1999). The Buckeyes earned their 600th win over current Big Ten opponents with a 70-62 win over Penn State in the earliest Big Ten game ever played Nov. 20, 1998 in Columbus.
Big Ten Series Records
Illinois 55-93
Indiana 65-92
Iowa 59-66
Michigan 77-67
Michigan State 43-50
Minnesota 68-50
Northwestern 95-44
Penn State 9-10
Purdue 66-77
Wisconsin 77-53
Totals 614-602
OSU 3-point field goal streak extended to 233
Ohio State has connected on at least one 3-point field goal attempt over the last 233 games. Scoonie Penn extended the streak early in the first half against Wisconsin. 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 225-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.
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 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.
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.
