Ohio State and Northwestern Square Off Wednesday Night – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/22/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 22, 2000
No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes
Probable Starters (18-5, 9-3)
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.
Northwestern Wildcats
Probable Starters (5-20, 0-12)
G 5-Ben Johnson, 6-2, Fr.
G 32-Collier Drayton, 6-2, So.
C 55-Aaron Jennings, 6-11, Fr.
F 33-Tavaras Hardy, 6-8, So.
F 14-Steve Lepore, 6-5, So.
Redd earns Big Ten Co-Player of the Week
Ohio State junior Michael Redd had his best game as a Buckeye in one of the most important games of the season for the Ohio State. Redd recorded season highs in points (28), rebounds (10), assists (5), steals (3), free throws (11), free throws attempted (15) and minutes (38) in an 82-71 road win at No. 10 Indiana (2/19). Redd recorded his 10th double-double of his career in leading all scorers in the IU game. He also was tops in assists and steals among all players in that game. For the week, which included a road loss to No. 5 Michigan State, Redd averaged 23.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 37 minutes in consecutive road games against Top 10 teams. He also helped the Buckeyes remain in the hunt for a Big Ten title, keeping the Buckeyes within striking distance of No. 1 Michigan State.
Penn closing in on OSU 1,000 point club
In just his second season in Columbus, Ohio State senior guard Scoonie Penn is nearing the 1,000 club at Ohio State. Penn will be the 38th player in OSU history to reach 1,000 career points with seven more this season. Penn scored 609 as an OSU junior and has 374 this year. Penn could become just the second player to record 1,000 points in his only two seasons as a Buckeye. Brad Sellers (1985-86) was the first to do so with 1,122 points in his career. Ohio State a win away from back-to-back 10+ win seasons in the Big Ten
Jim O’Brien has guided the Buckeyes to a 9-3 record in the Big Ten after completing the conference schedule with a 12-4 record last year. The Buckeyes finished second in the league a year ago and remain in the running for the league title this year. The Buckeyes, with one more Big Ten win this year, will post back-to-back 10+ win seasons in the Big Ten for the first time since 1991, ’92. OSU was 15-3 in both seasons tying for the Big Ten Title in 1991 and earning it outright in 1992.
Buckeyes outlasts Indiana in Bloomington
Michael Redd and Ohio State muscled their way past Indiana. Redd scored a season-high 28 points, including five free throws in the final two minutes, as the No. 7 Buckeyes held off the No. 10 Hoosiers 82-71 in their foul-plagued Big Ten showdown. Redd added 10 rebounds. George Reese also had a double-double for Ohio State with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Officials called 58 personals with four Buckeyes and two Indiana players fouling out. The teams combined to shoot 87 free throws and misses proved costly to the Hoosiers, who went into the game leading the Big Ten in free throw accuracy. Indiana, which was shooting nearly 90 percent, missed 17 of 44 attempts. Kirk Haston, an 80 percent shooter, was 3-for-11. A.J. Guyton led Indiana with 27 points, becoming the fifth player in school history to score 2,000 points. He finished the game with 2,007. Guyton matched his career high of 11 free throws in 12 attempts. However, he had only one point in the final 13 minutes as fatigue appeared to set in. The victory boosted Ohio State (18-5, 9-3 Big Ten) in its bid to end Michigan State’s run for a third consecutive conference championship. Scoonie Penn contributed 15 points to the victory. Indiana overcame an early poor-shooting effort to trail 36-35 at halftime. The Hoosiers hit just one of their first eight shots from the field and the only five of the first 12 free throws. Ohio State was whistled for a season-high 30 fouls and the 28 fouls by Indiana also was a season-high. The loss was the first in conference play at home for Indiana, which has lost three straight against the Buckeyes.
Noting the win over Indiana
– Ohio State junior guard Michael Redd scored a season-high 28 points while grabbing 10 rebounds to record his 10th career double-double. Redd added season-highs in assists (5), steals (3), minutes (38), free throws made (11) and attempted (15).
– Senior George Reese scored 11 points and a season-high 10 rebounds to notch his first career double-double.
– The last time a pair of OSU players recorded double-doubles in the same game was Dec. 12, 1995 when Shaun Stonerook (12 pts./12 rebs.) and Jermaine Tate (19/12) did so in a 92-87 win over George Mason in Columbus.
– Michael Redd started his 89th career game vs. IU, claiming the No. 10 spot in the OSU record book. Redd has started every game of his OSU career, and can move into a tie with Jay Burson (1986-89) for ninth place on that list with five more starts.
– Freshman Brent Darby tied his career high with 12 points. He was perfect from the field (4-4) in connecting on a career-high four 3-pointers. The came in succession in the second half vs. the Hoosiers.
– Senior Scoonie Penn moved to with seven points of 1,000 at Ohio State. He will become the 38th Buckeye to record 1,000 career points and just the second to do so in two seasons as a Buckeye.
– Ohio State won back-to-back games at Assembly Hall for the first time. The win was only OSU’s fourth in 28 tries in the history of the facility. The Buckeyes have won the last three meetings against the Hoosiers, the longest streak since the 1969-70 seasons. OSU last won back-to-back games in Bloomington Jan. 4, 1969 (90-82) and Feb. 14, 1970 (100-83).
– Four OSU players fouled out against the Hoosiers. The Buckeyes entered the game with just two foul outs the previous 22 games.
– Ohio State’s last basket came on a George Reese layup with 5:33 remaining to give the Buckeyes a 71-65 advantage. OSU then connected on 11 of 16 FTs to secure the win.
– Ohio State last defeated an AP Top 10 team on the road Jan. 2, 1997 at Michigan. The unranked Buckeyes defeated No. 8 Michigan 73-71 in Ann Arbor. The Buckeyes are 50-100 (.333) all time vs. Top 10 teams.
– Ohio State has led at the half 13 times this season. OSU has a 12-1 record in those games.
– Michael Redd and Scoonie Penn have combined for over 40 points 18 times in the last two seasons. OSU is 14-4 in those games. The All-America candidates have combined for 40+ points four times this season, including the last two games, and have led OSU to a 3-1 record this season when scoring 40 or more.
– Michael Redd is now No. 7 all-time at OSU in field goals made with 647. He needs three more to pass No. 6 Jay Burson’s (1986-89) 649. Redd also is closing on Burson in career scoring. Redd needs 16 points to take over Burson’s No. 6 spot in career scoring (1,756).
– Four OSU players fouled out against the Hoosiers. The Buckeyes entered the game with just two foul outs the previous 22 games.
– Ohio State connected on 30 of 43 free throw attempts against the Hoosiers. The last time an OSU team made 330 FTs was Feb. 24, 1996 when the Buckeyes went 31-37 at the line in an 82-69 win over Northwestern on the road. OSU last went to the line 40+ times Dec. 16, 1995 when the Buckeyes were 30-43 against Seton Hall in a 105-96 win.
– Ken Johnson added to his school single-season block record with a rejection against the Hoosiers. He leads the nation and the Big Ten with 126 this season. Johnson has 284 blocks in his career and trails Herb Williams, OSU’s all-time blocked shot leader, by 44 blocks. Johnson is sixth on the Big Ten career list for blocked shots and is second on the single-season list, 14 behind Calvin Booth’s (PSU) 140 in 1997-98. Johnson’s blocks per game average of 5.47 this season is the 5th highest (to date) in NCAA history.
Johnson records 200th career block, now 6th on Big Ten list
Buckeye senior Ken Johnson has 284 blocks in his career after swatting one against Indiana (2/19). Johnson is just the second Buckeye and the 12th Big Ten player to reach 200 career blocks. Johnson is currently sixth in Big Ten history with 284 rejections. Herb Williams (1977-81) leads OSU and is fourth all-time among Big Ten players with 328 rejections. OSU’s Brad Sellers is the next target on the all-time Big Ten list. Sellers recorded 307 career blocks at Wisconsin and Ohio State from 1981-86. Johnson will become just the sixth Big Ten player to record 300 blocks with 16 more this season.
Big Ten Career Blocked Shots leaders 1. Calvin Booth, PSU 1995-99 428 2. Acie Earl, IOWA 1989-93 365 3. Joe Barry Carroll, PUR 1977-80 349 4. Herb Williams, OSU 1977-81 328 5. Brad Sellers, WIS-OSU 1981-86 307 6. Ken Johnson, OSU 1998- 284 7. Roy Tarpley, MICH 1982-86 251 8. Kevin McHale, MINN 1976-80 235 9. Greg Stokes, IOWA 1981-85 229 10.Randy Breuer, MINN 1979-83 228
Big Ten Season Blocked Shot leaders 1. Calvin Booth, PSU 1997-98 140 2. Ken Johnson, OSU 1999-00 126 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, Buckeyes leading nation, Big Ten in several categories
Ohio State senior center Ken Johnson is leading Big Ten players and the nation in blocks this season. Johnson is sending back 5.47 shots per game with 126 blocks on the year. Johnson has the fifth highest block per game average in NCAA history as of Feb. 22. As a team, the Buckeyes are first among Big Ten teams in field goal percentage defense (.371) and blocked shots (6.78). The Buckeyes are second in turnover margin (+2.86).
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 5.47 6. #Keith Closs, C. Conn. St. 1995 5.35 7. #Shaquille O’Neal, LSU 1992 5.23 8. #Shawn Bradley, BYU 1991 5.21 9. Theo Ratliff, Wyoming 1995 5.14 # Led nation in blocks. Johnson is current national leader with 125.
OSU to honor Lucas, retire No. 11
The Ohio State Department of Athletics will officially retire the No. 11 in men’s basketball to honor three-time All-American Jerry Lucas (1960-62). The ceremony will take place at halftime of the Ohio State vs. Northwestern game Feb. 23 in Columbus. Lucas led the Buckeyes to the 1960 National Championship, the NCAA runner up in 1961 and 1962, three Big Ten titles and a 78-6 record during his career. A relentless rebounder, he owns the OSU career rebound record (1,411), single season (17.8 rpg.) and career (17.2 rpg.) records for rebound average.
Redd, Redd average over 17 ppg. vs. Wildcats
Junior Michael Redd and senior Scoonie Penn each have averaged 17 points a contest against the Wildcats. Redd has faced Northwestern three times and Penn just twice.
O’Brien guides 10th team to 17+ wins
Ohio State head coach Jim O’Brien has led his 10th team to the 17+ win-plateau with the victory over Indiana (2/19) giving the Buckeyes an 18-5 record this year. In nine previous seasons when an O’Brien-coached team reached 17 wins, the squad advanced to postseason play eight times, including the Final Four last year when OSU was 27-9 overall. The only season one of his teams did not go to the postseason with 17+ wins was his second campaign at St. Bonaventure when his 18-13 squad of 1983-84 did not advance. O’Brien has taken four teams to the NCAA Tournament and four to the NIT.
Buckeyes take care of the ball
Ohio State averages just 12.8 turnovers a game this season while opponents are giving it up 15.5 times a contest. Ohio State senior guard Scoonie Penn is averaging just 2.1 turnovers a game in 34.5 minutes of playing time a contest, or just one turnover for every 16.2 minutes played. Sophomore Brian Brown averages just 1.6 turnovers a game in 28.4 minutes per game or one TO every 17.8 minutes.
Penn edges closer to 3-point record
Neshaun Coleman, a captain last season, set the all-time record for 3-pointers made in a career with 147 during OSU’s run through the Final Four last year. Scoonie Penn could break that mark in just two seasons in Columbus with eight more this season. He has a career total of 140, which includes his OSU single-season record of 88 made last year. His 52 made this year ranks seventh behind the 55 made by Damon Stringer (1997) and Jamie Skelton (1993).
Penn nears Top 10 in assists
With five more assists this season, Scoonie Penn will move into the Top 10 in career assists at Ohio State. He will be added to this list in just two seasons. Penn dished out 154 assists as a junior and has 99 this season. Dennis Hopson (1984-87) currently holds the No. 10 spot with 258 career assists. Penn has 253.
Redd enters Top 10 list for career starts
Ohio State junior guard Michael Redd started his 89th career game against Indiana (2/19). Redd, in less than three full seasons, is 10th all-time in career starts. Redd has started every game of his OSU career.
Three of five OSU losses come in final three seconds
Ohio State (17-5) has lost three games this season on opponent shots that fell in the final three seconds of the game. The first was in the season opener vs. Notre Dame when the Buckeyes battled from a four-point deficit with 54 seconds to play to tie the game at 57 with 18 seconds left. The Irish’s David Graves then hit an off-balance shot from the left side at the buzzer for a 59-57 ND victory. OSU then battled from 10 down with 5:47 left to tie the score at 77 vs. Illinois with five seconds to play on a Brian Brown tip-in. UI’s Frank Williams then launched a straight-on 3-pointer that fell at the buzzer to give the Illini an 80-77 victory. Iowa won with three seconds to play on a Kyle Galloway 3-pointer from the left corner after OSU came back from 10 down to tie the game at 64 with seven seconds to play. OSU did come out on top at St. John’s this season after battling from 10 down with 2:49 to play to take a 65-64 lead with 23 seconds left on a pair of Scoonie Penn free throws. Penn then blocked a 3-point attempt by SJU’s Erick Barkley to preserve the win.
2-year home record rates high in OSU history
Ohio State has compiled a 27-3 (.900) record over the last two season in Value City Arena. The Buckeyes were 14-1 in the inaugural season in VCA last season and so far boast a 13-2 record at home in 1999-00. In back-to-back season in which the Buckeyes have won at least 25 wins at home, the current record of 27-3 stands fourth all-time for home record in consecutive seasons. The 1962-63 teams posted a record 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 27-3 .900 1985-86 26-5 .839 1982-83 25-5 .833 1986-87 26-7 .788 1985-86 26-5 .781
Redd closing on Burson for No. 6 spot in OSU career scoring
Michael Redd is in 7th place all-time at OSU in scoring with 1,741 career points after a 28-point effort against Indiana (2/19/00). Redd trails No. 6 Jay Burson (1986-89) by 15 points. Burson ended his OSU career with 1,756 points.
OSU vs. the Top 10
Ohio State played its fourth Top 10 team of the season against the No. 10 Hoosiers of Indiana (2/19/00). The Buckeyes lost 80-67 earlier this season to No. 8 Kansas in Lawrence but ended then-No. 10 MSU’s 21-game Big Ten winning streak with a 78-67 victory Jan. 20 in Columbus. Michigan State avenged its loss in Columbus with an 83-72 win over the Buckeyes (2/16). The Buckeyes then downed No. 10 Indiana on the road 82-71 (2/19). All-Time, Ohio State has a 50-100 record against teams ranked in the AP Top 10.
OSU record when ranked in Top 10
No. 7 Ohio State opened the season ranked No. 4 but fell to No. 15 following a 59-57 loss to Notre Dame in the opening round of the NIT. Ohio State has a record of 191-50 (.793) in games when the Buckeyes are ranked among the Associated Press Top 10 teams in the nation.
Ohio State owns edge in big games
When Ohio State is ranked and plays a ranked opponent, the Buckeyes have a 52-37 record all-time. OSU has taken an Associated Press ranking into games against ranked foes six times this season.
Penn, Redd battle for scoring lead
The Ohio State guard duo of Michael Redd and Scoonie Penn each have lead the Buckeyes in scoring this season. Redd is the current leader at 16.5 ppg. Penn is currently second with 16.3 points per game. Redd has scored 380 points followed by Penn with 374.
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.
Penn passes BC total in games played at OSU
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 59 starts over the last two seasons.
Redd begins another double-figure scoring streak
Ohio State junior guard Michael Redd has appeared in 89 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 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 14 games.
Johnson likely has made final move on OSU career swat chart but…
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 (284) at Ohio State in career blocks. Johnson trails the 328 recorded blocks by Buckeye great Herb Williams (1978-81) by 45. Johnson averaged 1.9 bpg (58/30 gms.) as a sophomore, 2.8 bpg. (100/36 gms.) as a junior and 5.47 bpg. (126/23 gms.) so far this season. If he keeps up his current pace he could still reach Williams’ record. Ohio State has at least five games remaining (four regular season, one in the Big Ten Tournament). Johnson could reach the record on his current pace in nine games.
Redd, Penn eclipse 1,700 career points
The Ohio State guard tandem of senior Scoonie Penn and junior Michael Redd reached 1,700 career points against Michigan State. Redd has 1,741 career points, good for seventh on the OSU career list. Penn, who spent two seasons at Boston College, has scored 1,720 career points. Penn tallied 737 while at BC and has 993 at Ohio State.
Team Notes
Ohio State has scored 70 or more points in 14 games this season and has an 12-2 record in those games…Ohio State has held 13 of 22 opponents under 65 points this season and has an 12-1 record in those games…Ohio State has blocked at least one opponent shot in the last 60 games (0 vs. Penn State, 2/28/98)-Ken Johnson has started the last 59 games…an OSU player has scored in double figures 84 times this season…Michael Redd has 22, Scoonie Penn 21 and George Reese 15…four different players have reached the 20-point plateau with Redd leading the way with five followed by Penn lead with four, Reese has three 20+ games…Penn is the only Buckeye with a 30-point game this season, he did so against Michigan State (30 pts.) Feb. 16…eight times a player has reached double digits in rebounding led by Ken Johnson with four followed by Redd with three…the Buckeyes are 12-1 when leading at the half and have come back to win six of 10 games when trailing at the break…when the OSU bench outscores the opponent bench, the Buckeyes are 14-2 but are still 4-3 when the opposing bench holds the advantage…the Buckeyes are 7-3 in games decided by 10 points or less and 11-2 in games decided by 11 or more points.
Numerically noting the Buckeyes
– Scoonie Penn: Penn reached 100 career starts vs. Toledo (12/22)…he has 59 at Ohio State…Penn has played 30 or more minutes in 20 games this season, including the last 13 and all 40 at Kansas (12/16)…Penn had a streak of 19-consecutive contests with at least one steal halted vs. Penn State (2/12)…he has 204 thefts in his career, 116 at Ohio State…a small but mighty rebounder, Penn is averaging 4.5 boards a contest this year…he has 428 career rebounds (3.7 rpg.)…he has connected on 82 percent of his free throws in the last seven games (51-62).
– Michael Redd: Redd has started all 89 games in his career…he claimed seventh on the OSU career scoring list with 14 points vs. Wisconsin (2/2)…Redd has 1,741 career points…Redd is 66 of 83 (.795) from the foul line this year…he is a career 64 percent free throw shooter (331-514)…In 13 games this season, Redd has made all attempts from the foul line, including the first five games this season (16-16)…Redd has connected on at least one 3-pointer in 18 of 23 games this season…he has 545 career rebounds for an average of 6.1 rpg.
– Ken Johnson: Johnson has started the last 59 games at center…Johnson has 284 career blocks and is averaging 5.47 bpg. (126) this season…he set a single-game school record with 11 blocks at St. John’s (1/22) and tied it vs. Iowa (2/9)…he set the single-season record for blocks with 100 as a junior and broke that this season with 126 so far…Johnson has 25 career games with five or more blocks, he had three as a freshman, seven last year and 15 this season in 22 games.
– Brian Brown: Brown has doubled his offensive output this season with an average of 9.2 points a game…he averaged 4.1 as a freshman…he also is shooting 32 percent better from the foul line…Brown shot just 51.9 percent as a freshman (27-52) from the free-throw line…this season, Brown has connected on 43-51 (.843)…he has made 77 of 140 field goal attempts (.550) this season after shooting 39 percent as a freshman…Brown has scored in double figures in 10 games this season after reaching 10 points just twice as a freshman…OSU is 9-3 when Brown reaches double figures
– Cobe Ocokoljic: Ocokoljic cracked the starting lineup vs. Oakland (12/27)…he had a streak of 13-consecutive starts broken at Michigan State (2/16)…he has played double-figure minutes in 12 of 23 games, including a career-high 32 minutes vs. American (12/29).
– George Reese: Reese has doubled his offensive output from a year ago…he averaged 5.5 points last season and is third on the team this year at 12.0 ppg…he connected on 42 percent of his shots as a junior (73-174) but has upped that percentage to 49 percent this year (108-217)…he scored 18-second half points on his way to 24 vs. Illinois (1/6/00) and had 19 points in the win over No. 10 Michigan State (1/20/00)…he established a career-high with 25 points in the win at Michigan (2/6)…Reese started his 10th game of the season at Indiana (2/19)…he scored 10 points to go with 10 rebounds in that contest to record his first career double-double.
– Boban Savovic: Savovic has been bothered most of the season with ankle and leg injuries…he has appeared in just 12 games this season and has connected on 10 of 26 shots from the field…he suffered a lower left leg bruise in the win over Purdue (1/29) and missed four games before returning against Michigan State (2/16).
– Brent Darby: Darby was 4-4 from the field, all 3-pointers, in the win against Indiana (2/19…three of those treys came in succession in the second half to help the Buckeyes secure the win over the Hoosiers…he made a huge 3-pointer with 7:02 remaining in the second half vs. Wisconsin (1/13) and did so again in the second half vs. the Badgers in Columbus…he has made nearly 57 percent of his 3-pointers this season (13-23)…13 of his 20 field goals this season have been 3-pointers…in his first game in the state of Michigan (he is a River Rouge, Mich., native) he scored six points with no turnovers in 20 minutes against the Wolverines (2/6).
– Will Dudley: Dudley is a career 63 percent shooter from the field…he has connected on 36-57 shots from the field in 38 career games…he has made 22-36 (.611) shots this season…he has come in to relieve Ken Johnson on several occasions but in big games, Dudley has answered the call…He played 12 key minutes at Indiana before fouling out…earlier this season, he spelled Johnson for 19 minutes in a win over Michigan State in Columbus.
Blocks spark OSU defense
Ohio State, led by senior center Ken Johnson’s 126 blocks, has rejected 156 shots this season while foes have just 62.
Buckeyes spend last 26 weeks in AP poll
Ohio State spent the final 10 weeks of the 1998-99 season and the first 16 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 6th in the AP and 6th in the ESPN/USA Today polls (2/21/00). Ohio State opened the season No. 5 in the AP poll then moved to No. 4 the week of Nov. 15.
Buckeyes 26-2 when ranked vs. Northwestern
Ohio State has taken an Associated Press Top 25 ranking into 28 games against Northwestern since 1950. The Buckeyes have come away with a 26-2 record (.929) in those games. The last time Northwestern defeated a ranked Ohio State team was Feb. 18 1989 when the unranked Wildcats won 70-69 over the No. 16 Buckeyes in Evanston. The No. 17 Buckeyes won earlier this season in Evanston 58-44 (1/15/00).
Wildcats looking for first league win
Northwestern will be seeking its first Big Ten win against of the season at Ohio Stat. The Wildcats are 5-8 in non-conference play and 0-12 in the Big Ten. Northwestern broke a 12-game losing streak Feb. 9 at home against Rice, 61-47.
Northwestern on 20-game losing streak in Columbus
Northwestern has not won a game in Columbus since Feb. 24, 1977 when the Wildcats prevailed 83-72.
Freshman leads Wildcats
Northwestern freshman guard Ben Johnson is the team’s leading scorer at 11.8 points a game. He is followed by sophomore Steve Lepore, a native of North Olmstead, Ohio, at 9.6 ppg. Another sophomore, Tavaras Hardy, leads the team in rebounding at 5.3 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 30-51 (.370). Over 11 seasons as a Division I head coach, he has a record of 170-171. O’Neill coached for five seasons at Marquette and three at Tennessee before taking over at Northwestern.
The Northwestern series
Ohio State leads the all-time series with Northwestern 96-44 following a 58-44 win over the Wildcats earlier this year in Evanston. Ohio State leads 39-30 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 66-92
Iowa 59-67
Michigan 78-67
Michigan State 44-51
Minnesota 68-50
Northwestern 96-44
Penn State 10-10
Purdue 67-77
Wisconsin 78-53
Totals 620-604
OSU 3-point field goal streak extended to 243
Ohio State has connected on at least one 3-point field goal attempt over the last 243 games. Scoonie Penn extended the streak in the first half against Michigan State. 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 233-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.
Redd, Reese post 1st 50-point combo since 1995
Columbus natives George Reese and Michael Redd combined to score 50 points in the win over Michigan (2/6) with 25 points apiece. The last time a pair of Buckeyes combined for 50 or more points was Jan. 8, 1995 when Doug Etzler (37) and Rick Yudt (26) scored 63 in a 121-96 win over George Mason in St. John Arena. Etzler connected on 12 of 15 shots from the field, 8 of 11 3-pointers and 5 of 6 free throws. Yudt was 10 of 19, 2-8 and 4-4. Reese and Redd managed to score 50 on the road. The last time that happened was Feb. 2, 1994 at Indiana when Lawrence Funderburke (26) and Jamie Skelton (24) reached 50 in an 87-83 loss to the Hoosiers in overtime. Indiana’s Alan Henderson (29) and Pat Graham (22) combined for 51 in the win.
ONN to replay OSU men’s hoops
The Ohio News Network will replay eight Big Ten OSU men’s basketball games this season. Replays begin at 11 p.m. EST the night of the game on ONN. Remaining games are: Feb. 19 at Indiana and Feb. 23 vs. Northwestern.
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. 1998-99 captains Neshaun Coleman and Jason Singleton raised the banner.
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.
