Men’s Basketball Squares Off Against No. 9 Jayhawks – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 21, 2000
Game Notes in .PDF format
Opponent: No. 9 Kansas
Site: Value City Arena (19,100)
Game Time: 4:15 p.m. (EST)
TV: CBS
Local TV: WBNS 10 TV
TV Talent: Craig Bolerjack (P-by-P)
Clark Kellogg (Color)
Radio: OSU Radio Network (63 stations)
Local Radio: WBNS FM-97.1 AM-1460
Radio Talent: Paul Keels (P-by-P)
Ron Stokes (Color)
Ohio State Buckeyes
Probable Starters (8-2)
G 4-Brent Darby, 6-1, So.
G 21-Boban Savovic, 6-5, Jr.
G 13-Brian Brown, 6-4, Jr.
C 32-Ken Johnson, 6-11, Sr.
F 33-Zach Williams, 6-7, Fr.
No. 9 Kansas Jayhawks
Probable Starters (9-1)
G 13-Jeff Boschee, 6-1, Jr.
G 10-Kirk Hinrich, 6-3, So.
C 44-Eric Chenowith, 7-1, Sr.
F 4-Nick Collison, 6-9, So.
F 0-Drew Gooden, 6-10, So.
Brown earns Big Ten honor
Ohio State junior guard Brian Brown was selected the co-Big Ten Men’s Basketball Player of the Week after he led a group of five OSU players who averaged double figures last week in wins over St. John’s and Morehead State at Value City Arena. It is Brown’s first Big Ten Player of the Week award as a member of the Buckeyes. Brown paced Ohio State with a 14.0 scoring average, which included game-high scoring honors (18 pts.) in the 71-58 home win over St. John’s. Brown connected on 65 percent of his shots from the field (11-17) last week while averaging 5.5 assists and 2.0 steals. Brown shared honors with senior Roy Boone of Wisconsin.
O’Brien reaches career win No. 300
Jim O’Brien earned career win No. 300 as a collegiate head coach with the 93-62 win over Morehead St. (12/16/00). O’Brien is 301-257 (.539) in 19 seasons as a head coach. He has a record of 66-40 (.6123), including a record of 58-18 (.763) over the last three seasons with the Buckeyes. O’Brien spent 11 seasons at his alma mater, Boston College. His teams compiled a record of 168-166 record with six postseason appearances, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament in his last four years. O’Brien started his career at St. Bonaventure, where in four seasons, his teams posted a record of 67-51 (.568). His 100th career win came against Maine Dec. 6, 1988 (87-59) with No. 200 coming against Hartford Dec. 23, 1995 (106-67). O’Brien won both those games at Boston College.
Williams scores career-high 19 points in win over Robert Morris
Brent Darby scored seven of his 15 points in a 27-2 first-half run as Ohio State stretched its winning streak to six in a row by beating Robert Morris 88-46. It was the fourth time in the last six games that Ohio State held an opponent under 52 points. Zach Williams scored 19 points to lead the Buckeyes. Cobe Ocokoljic had 11 points and Will Dudley 10. Ken Johnson set the tone early, blocking the Colonials’ first two shots. Johnson finished with seven. No one from Robert Morris hit double figures. Tyler Bacon hit three 3-pointers for nine points. Robert Morris was still in the game, trailing 19-13 on Eric Casey-Ford’s shot inside with 7:32 left in the half. But then Ohio State scored 27 of the next 29 points, pounding the ball inside for layups and – when that wasn’t an option – hitting shots behind the arc. The Buckeyes hit four consecutive 3-pointers during the spurt and made all nine of their shots from the field overall before.
Noting the win over Robert Morris
Ohio State improves to 36-3 during its two-plus seasons atValue City Arena. The Buckeyes are undefeated (7-0) this year athome. Ohio State extended its streak of consecutive games with atleast one 3-point goal made when Brent Darby canned a shot frombehind the arc at the 19:15 mark of the first half. Ohio State hasconnected on at least one 3-point goal in 260-consecutive games.Ken Johnson started his 102nd career game, moving into solepossession of seventh place on the all-time games started ledger.He passed Troy Taylor (101, 1982-85). Johnson is one of eightplayers in Ohio State history to eclipse 100 starts in his Buckeyecareer. Johnson blocked seven shots in the contest, giving him 359for his career, which is third all-time in the Big Ten. Johnsonstands six blocks behind Iowa’s Acie Earl (1989-93, 365). Johnsontopped his average of 3.7 blocks per game in the first four minutesof the first half. Zach Williams scored a career-high 19 points inthe contest, topping his previous high of 16, set vs. Valparaiso(11/25). Williams also connected on a career-best nine shots fromthe field. Boban Savovic has hit 7-of-12 shots from 3-point rangeover the past three games. Savovic drilled both of his 3-pointattempts vs. Robert Morris. Ohio State is 6-0 all-time when BrentDarby scores 10 or more points, including a 3-0 mark this season(Florida State, Denver, Robert Morris). Darby scored 15 points vs.the Colonials. Ohio State has held a double-digit lead in everygame it has led at halftime. The Buckeyes are 8-0 in thosecontests. Ohio State is 8-0 when outrebounding its opponent. TheBuckeyes outrebounded Robert Morris 37-27. The Buckeyes held RobertMorris to a season-low 46 points. The Colonials’ previous low was51, set at Missouri-Kansas City (11/26). The 42-point margin ofvictory also was the Colonials’ most lopsided loss of the season.Ohio State has held 5 of its seven opponents at home this season tounder 20 points in the first half. Ohio State is 4-0 all-time vs.Robert Morris and 9-1 against teams representing the ColonialAthletic Association.
Bombs Away
Ohio State has connected on 50 percent or better from 3-point range in four of its last five games, including its last three. OSU has connected on better than 50 percent five times for the season, including a 66.7 percent (10-15) effort in the opening round win over Florida State (11/23/00) in Alaska. Ohio State reached the 50 percent mark in 3-point shooting five times all of last season and finished the year at 31.8 percent (145-456).
Buckeyes look for 7th-consecutive win Ohio State will be looking to win for the seventh-consecutive time when the Buckeyes face Kansas. Ohio State last won seven in a row in the middle of last season from Jan. 9 to Feb. 6 when the Buckeyes rattled off eight-consecutive victories.
Homestand longest since 1910
Ohio State is in the midst of a nine-game homestand and a span of 12 home games in 13 outings. The homestand began vs. Eastern Kentucky (W 90-44, 12/2/00). The Buckeyes then hosted Denver (W 83-46, 12/7/00), Massachusetts (W 54-51, 12/10/00), St. John’s (W 71-58, 12/13/00), Morehead State (W 93-62, 12/16/00) and Robert Morris (W 99-46, 12/20/00). The homestand continues with Kansas (12/23/00), Coppin State (12/30/00) and Northwestern (1/3/01). The last time Ohio State hosted nine-consecutive games was at the start of the 1910 season when OSU played at home for the first 10 games of the season in an 11-1 campaign. The Buckeyes were 9-1 in that homestand. The Buckeyes are currently 6-0 in the most recent home streak.
Ohio State to host NCAA Tournament 1st, 2nd rounds in 2004
The Ohio State Department of Athletics, along with Nationwide Arena and the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, has been selected to host the 2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds, the NCAA announced Dec. 7. Ohio State will serve as the host institution for the 2004 Midwest Region early round contests. The games will be played at Nationwide Arena March 19 and 21, 2004.
Johnson, Brown No. 1 in Big Ten
Ohio State senior Ken Johnson (Detroit, Mich./Henry Ford) holds No. 1 spot in the Big Ten with an average of 4.00 blocks a game (40). Junior Brian Brown (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin) is No. 2 in steals (2.30).
Robinson out 2-4 weeks
Doylan Robinson (Akron, Ohio/Buchtel), a junior guard, will be out 3-4 weeks recovering from injuries sustained as a passenger in a traffic accident Sunday, Dec. 3. Robinson suffered several lacerations to his face and right hand. He is expected to recover fully. Robinson has played in five games to date for the Buckeyes. He is averaging 2.0 points and 1.8 rebounds in 8.4 minutes a game.
Buckeyes lead the Big Ten in defense
Ohio State rates No. 1 among Big Ten teams in field goal percentage defense (.358) and is No. 2 in scoring defense allowing just 56.1 points a game and No. 3 in rebounding defense, allowing foes just 29.4 rebounds a game. The Ohio State offense is No. 2 in scoring margin, with a 20.3 scoring advantage over opponents, field goal percentage .492 (276-561) and turnover margin (+3.3).
Johnson No. 1 on OSU career swat chart
Ken Johnson has 40 blocks on the season for a career total of 359, which places him first all-time at Ohio State in career rejections. Johnson passed Herb Williams (1978-81) at the Great Alaska Shootout. Johnson averaged 1.9 bpg. (58/30 gms.) as a freshman, 2.8 bpg. (100/36 gms.) as a sophomore and 5.37 bpg. (161/30 gms.) in 1999-00. He has an average of 4.0 blocks a game this season.
Johnson moving up career starts list
Ken Johnson has started 102 career games as a Buckeye since the 1997-98 season. He is one of only eight Buckeyes to reach 100 or more career starts. Currently No. 7 all-time, Johnson will next overtake Jim Smith (1978-81) at No. 6 with 105 starts.
Gregory returns
The game today marks the return to Columbus for Kansas senior Kenny Gregory, a former Independence High School standout. Gregory has missed the last several games for the Jayhawks with a stress fracture but is expected to be in the lineup against the Buckeyes.
Gregory leads KU
Gregory enters the game today as the leading scorer for the Jayhawks with an average of 17.0 points a game. He leads five KU players in double figures. Forward Drew Gooden follows with 16.4 ppg., ahead of center Eric Chenowith (13.2 ppg.), forward Nick Collison (12.9 ppg.) and guard Kirk Hinrich (11.3 ppg.). Chenowith is the leading rebounder at 9.5 rpg. Gooden is close at 8.1 rebounds a contest. Gregory is third at 7.7 rpg.
Chenowith Paces Kansas In 92-69 Win Over Visiting Tulsa
Kansas, minus three of its top eight players, rallied behind senior center Eric Chenowith to beat Tulsa, 92-69, in its lone home game in the month of December last Saturday in Allen Fieldhouse. Chenowith put up 24 points – one off his career-high – to go with 14 rebounds and three blocks. Sophomore Drew Gooden chipped in with 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while forward Nick Collison poured in 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting in the game. Point guard Kirk Hinrich led the ‘Hawks with six assists, while also hitting five 3-pointers on the night. The win ended KU’s non-conference home slate with a record of 6-0 and marked the Jayhawks’ 14th straight non-league win in Allen Fieldhouse. Dante Swanson paced the Golden Hurricane with 21 points.
Noting the Jayhawks
Kansas returns five starters to a team that went 24-10 and lostin the second round of the NCAA Tournament to top-seeded Duke lastseason. With an all-time record of 1,721-735, Kansas joins Kentuckyand North Carolina as the only three schools to amass 1,700all-time wins. Roy Williams’ career record of 338-83 gives him awinning percentage of .803-good for third place among all activeDivision I head coaches with at least five years experience. KUsophomore Nick Collison played with OSU’s Ken Johnson on the U.S.Men’s Select team which scrimmaged against the “Dream Team” inHawaii over the summer. Kansas has received an NCAA Tournament bid11-consecutive years, and has won 17-consecutive NCAA Tournamentfirst round games. Columbus native Kenny Gregory, in addition tofellow KU seniors Luke Axtell and Eric Chenowith, was named to theWooden Award’s preseason Top 50 list in August. OSU’s Ken Johnsonalso is on that list. The Jayhawks are 9-1 to open the season forthe first time since the 1997-98 campaign. KU’s only loss in itsfirst 10 games was to Maryland in Washington, D.C. Kansas ended thehome portion of its non-conference schedule with a record of 6-0.The Jayhawks boast 14 straight non-conference wins in AllenFieldhouse. KU has played its last three games without its leadingscorer, Kenny Gregory, a native of Columbus, and its last two gameswithout forward Luke Axtell. Both hope to return vs. Ohio State..The `Hawks are averaging 92.7 points in six games at AllenFieldhouse, while putting up just 77.3 points in four games awayfrom Lawrence. KU’s 92-69 win over Tulsa last Saturday marked theteam’s only home game in the month of December…The Jayhawks’ nextfour games are away from Allen Fieldhouse. Buckeye head coach JimO’Brien scored 24 points in a 78-62 win over the Jayhawks to helpBoston College advance to the second round of postseason NIT onMarch 16, 1969. Kansas assistant coach Ben Miller (Springfield)attended Worthington High School in Ohio. Miller’s father, Eldon,amassed a record of 176-118 as head coach of the Buckeyes from1977-1986.
Buckeyes looking to even score vs. Kansas, Big 12
Kansas has a one-game lead (4-3) in the series history between the two schools. Overall, the Buckeyes are 19-20 against teams representing the Big 12 Conference. The teams last met in Lawrence last season. Kansas prevailed 80-67. The Buckeyes last claimed victory over the Jayhawks Dec. 29, 1986 in Honolulu, Hawaii 79-78 in overtime. The Buckeyes are 1-1 vs. KU in Columbus. The Jayhawks last played at Ohio State Dec. 22, 1983. The Buckeyes won that game 79-74. Kansas won the first game in the series 35 years ago to the day (12/23/65) at St. John Arena 81-68.
Baylor
Colorado
Iowa State 3-0
Kansas 3-4
Kansas State 0-2
Missouri 4-5
Nebraska 4-2
Oklahoma 3-4
Oklahoma State 0-2
Texas 1-0
Texas A&M 1-1
Texas Tech
Totals 19-20
Leading the Buckeyes
Junior Brian Brown leads the Buckeyes offensively with a scoring average of 14.3 points per game. He also has been deadly accurate from the foul line, hitting 27-of-32 attempts for a shooting percentage of 84 percent. He leads the team in minutes played (32.4, mpg.). Junior Boban Savovic leads the team in 3-point shooting (16-33, .485). Ken Johnson is the team’s leading rebounder with 6.1 a game. He is the most accurate Buckeye from the field as well hitting 56 percent of his shots (40-72). Brown leads in assists with 44 and steals 23.
OSU opponents fare well in polls
Seven 2000-01 Buckeye opponents are rated among the Top 25 in the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls. Another four are receiving votes. Michigan State (2/2), Illinois (5/5), Kansas (9/9), Syracuse (12/10), Wisconsin (16/15), Alabama (17/18) and Iowa (19/21) are rated in the Top 25 in both polls. Penn State, Indiana, Purdue and Minnesota all are receiving votes in at least one of the polls. Ohio State received two votes for Top 25 consideration in the latest AP poll (12/18/00).
Johnson reaches 300 career blocks, 3rd on Big Ten list
Buckeye senior Ken Johnson has 359 blocks in his career after swatting one Morehead State shot. Johnson is third in Big Ten history in career blocks. Acie Earl of Iowa (1989-93) is the next target at No. 2 with 365 career blocks.
Big Ten Career Blocked Shots leaders 1. Calvin Booth, PSU 1995-99 428 2. Acie Earl, IOWA 1989-93 365 3. Ken Johnson, OSU 1998- 359 4. Joe Barry Carroll, PUR 1977-80 349 5. Herb Williams, OSU 1977-81 328
Big Ten Season Blocked Shot leaders 1. Ken Johnson, OSU 1999-00 161 2. Calvin Booth, PSU 1997-98 140 3. Jim Pitts, NU 1965-66 123 4. Acie Earl, Iowa 1991-92 121 5. Acie Earl, Iowa 1990-91 106 6. Joe Barry Carroll, PUR 1977-78 105 7. Calvin Booth, PSU 1995-96 101 8. Ken Johnson, OSU 1998-99 100 9. Dean Garrett, IND 1987-88 99 10.Roy Tarpley, MICH 1985-86 97 Brad Sellers, OSU 1985-86 97
Johnson led nation in blocks, average fifth in NCAA
Ohio State center Ken Johnson led the Big Ten and the nation in blocks in 1999-00. Johnson sent back 5.37 shots per game with 161 blocks on the year. Johnson has the fifth highest block per game average in NCAA history. His total of 161 is the seventh most in a single season in NCAA history.
NCAA Single Season Blocks Avg. 1. #Adonal Foyle, Colgate 1997 6.43 2. #Keith Closs, C. Conn. St. 1996 6.36 3. #David Robinson, Navy 1986 5.91 4. Adonal Foyle, Colgate 1996 5.69 5. #Ken Johnson, OSU 2000 5.37 # Led nation in blocks.
Big Ten coaches, media select Johnson preseason First Team All-Big Ten
The Big Ten men’s basketball coaches and league media chose Ken Johnson (Sr., Detroit, Mich./Henry Ford) as a preseason First Team All-Big Ten selection. The announcement was made Oct. 30 at the annual Big Ten Men’s Basketball media day. Johnson joins Cory Bradford (Illinois), Charlie Bell (Michigan State), Kirk Haston (Indiana) and LaVell Blanchard (Michigan) on the squad selected by the coaches. The media selected the same squad with the exception of Haston. Joe Crispin of Penn State filled that spot. Johnson, who averaged nearly eight points, over six rebounds and 5.4 blocks a game last year as a junior, is the only senior on Ohio State’s squad this season.
A change in lineup
Ohio State used its second starting lineup of the season with sophomore Sean Connolly starting in place of sophomore Brent Darby against Eastern Kentucky. Darby had a slight knee sprain but did play vs. the Colonels. According to STATS Inc., Ohio State was among just six schools to use just one or two different starting lineups in 1999-00. Hawaii used the same starters all season. Ohio State, Southern Illinois, St. John’s, Vermont and Wofford used just two lineups in 1999-00.
2-year home record rates high at OSU
Ohio State has compiled a 36-3 (.923) record over three seasons in Value City Arena. The Buckeyes were 14-1 in the inaugural season in VCA (1998-99) and notched a 15-2 record at home in 1999-00. In back-to-back seasons in which the Buckeyes have won at least 25 combined home games, the OSU record from 1999-00 of 29-3 stands fourth all-time for home record in consecutive seasons. The 1962-63 teams posted a 25-0 record during a span of 50 home games in which the Buckeyes were undefeated from 1960-64.
Ohio State home record in back-to-back seasons Seasons 2-yr. home Rec. Win Pct. 1962-63 25-0 1.000 1991-92 30-1 .968 1990-91 27-2 .931 1999-00 29-3 .906 1985-86 26-5 .839 1982-83 25-5 .833 1986-87 26-7 .788 1985-86 26-5 .781
OSU 3-pt FG streak extended to 260
Ohio State has connected on at least one 3-point field goal attempt over the last 260 games. Brent Darby extended the streak early in the first half against Robert Morris (12/20/00). 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 252-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.
OSU vs. the Big Ten
The Buckeyes open the Big Ten season Jan. 3, 2001 at home against Northwestern. The Buckeyes have more victories over the Wildcats (97) than any other league school. Ohio State has 78 wins each over Michigan and Wisconsin. Illinois has the most wins over the Buckeyes with 94. This will be the 89th season of Big Ten play for Ohio State in men’s basketball.
Big Ten Series Records
Illinois 56-94
Indiana 66-92
Iowa 59-67
Michigan 78-67
Michigan State 44-51
Minnesota 69-50
Northwestern 97-44
Penn State 11-11
Purdue 67-77
Wisconsin 78-53
Totals 625-60
Johnson on watch list for Naismith Award
Ken Johnson, a senior on the Ohio State men’s basketball team, is among 30 preseason candidates for the 2000-01 Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year Award. The Naismith Awards program, now in its 33rd year, honors the outstanding college basketball players in the United States. The program was founded by the Atlanta Tipoff Club, an organization dedicated to recognizing the achievements of student-athletes in basketball. Charlie Bell (Michigan State), Cory Bradford (Illinois) and Mike Kelley (Wisconsin) also represent the Big Ten on the list.
Wooden Award a possibility for Johnson
Johnson is a candidate for the John R. Wooden Award, which began its Silver Anniversary celebration with the announcement of the Top 50 Preseason Candidates for the 2000-01 All-American Team in late August. Founded in 1976, The John R. Wooden Award is the nation’s pre-eminent trophy given annually to the most outstanding collegiate basketball player in the United States.
Johnson helps Olympic team prepare for Gold in Sydney
Ken Johnson was selected as one of 12 collegiate players who gathered to practice against the 2000 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball team last summer in Maui, Hawaii. Johnson was the only true center on the 2000 USA Basketball Men’s Select team and its tallest player at 6-feet 11-inches. The Select team scrimmaged the Olympic team each day during the week-long camp. The camp ended with a nationally-televised (NBC) contest Sept. 2 at the University of Hawaii Stan Sheriff Center.
Three student-athletes added for 2001-02 season Jim O’Brien signed one of the best recruiting classes of his coaching tenure Nov. 8, the first day of the fall men’s basketball signing period.
Matt Sylvester (Loveland, Ohio/Moeller), Terence Dials (Youngstown, Ohio/Boardman) and Brandon Fuss-Cheatham (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) all signed NCAA National Letters of Intent to play for Ohio State.
Sylvester, a 6-foot-7-inch, 200-pound wing forward, is considered to be among the top two players in Ohio. He is ranked by Prep Spotlight Magazine as one of the Top 60 players in the country. Sylvester played for the powerful Cincinnati AAU program. As a junior, he averaged 22.0 points and 8.0 rebounds. As a sophomore, Sylvester helped guide Carl Kremer’s Moeller squad to a Division I State Championship.
Dials, the second recruit from Ohio to sign with the Buckeyes, is a 6-foot-9-inch, 240-pound power forward/center. He gives the Buckeyes an athletic big man. As a junior, Dials averaged 18 points, 12 rebounds and 4.0 blocks.
Fuss-Cheatham (6-1, 190) is the No. 1-ranked point guard in the Midwest by Vince Baldwin of Midwesthoops.com and the No. 6 nationally-ranked point guard. He also is considered a Top 30 all-around player in the high school class of 2001. He averaged 21.3 points, 4.5 assists, 4.0 steals and 3.1 rebounds as a junior. He shot 59 percent from the field (279-476) and 77 percent (123-160) from the free-throw line. He has been Blackhawk’s starting point guard since his freshman season. The Cougars are 85-11 during that time. Over the last two seasons, Blackhawk is 62-4 with two conference championships and a state title.
