Men’s Basketball Takes on Illinois – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/25/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 25, 2000
No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes
Probable Starters (19-5, 10-3)
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.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Probable Starters (18-7, 10-4)
G 13-Cory Bradford, 6-3, So.
G 30-Frank Williams, 6-3, Fr.
C 34-Brian Cook, 6-10, Fr.
F 40-Sergio McClain, 6-4, Jr.
F 22-Lucas Johnson, 6-8, So.
Illinois last Big Ten team to visit VCA
Illinois is the last Big Ten Conference member to visit the Value City Arena. The Buckeyes are 13-2 against the Big Ten in Columbus while playing in the $110 million Value City Arena. The only two losses are to Iowa.
Buckeyes 3-3 vs. RPI Top 25
Ohio State has played 13 games against opponents ranked among the Top 64 teams in the latest Rating Percentage Index (Feb. 19), used to selected the field of 64 in the NCAA Tournament. Ohio State, No. 24 in the RPI, is 3-3 against teams in the Top 25. Ohio State is 1-0 vs. Indiana (10), 0-1 vs. Kansas (16), 1-0 vs. St. John’s (17), 1-1 vs. Michigan State (20), 0-1 vs. Illinois (25), 1-0 vs. Purdue (30), 2-0 vs. Wisconsin (33), 0-1 vs. Notre Dame (43), 0-1 vs. Iowa (51) and 1-0 vs. Michigan (60).
OSU No. 18 in Sagarin Ratings
Ohio State has climbed to No. 18 in the Sagarin Ratings as of Feb. 23. The Buckeyes have a 7-4 record vs. the Sagarin, another tool for NCAA Tournament selection, Top 64 and a 3-3 rank vs. the Top 25. OSU has played Michigan State (4), Indiana (13), Illinois (15), Kansas (17), Purdue (22), Wisconsin (27), St. John’s (28), Penn State (1-0, 58) and Iowa (62) in the Sagarin Top 64. Northwestern puts up tough fight
In a game that No. 6 Ohio State had to win, Northwestern declined to roll over and lose. Michael Redd scored 25 points and the Buckeyes broke open a close game at the half to beat the Wildcats 69-49. The Wildcats had as many shots blocked (five) in the second half as they made. Redd hit all five of his shots from the field in the second half for the Buckeyes, who stayed within a game of the top spot in the Big Ten with three games remaining. George Reese added 16 points and Brian Brown had 10. Ken Johnson had 11 rebounds and six blocked shots along with seven points. Ben Johnson led the Wildcats with 17 points with Steve Lepore adding 11. Northwestern led 10-6 early and trailed just 29-27 at the half as seven players scored. Three-time All-American Jerry Lucas, who won championships in high school, college, the Olympics and the NBA, was honored at halftime when his No. 11 was retired. It was the first time that Ohio State had retired a basketball number and only the second time overall. Two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin’s No. 45 was retired last football season.
Noting the win over Northwestern
– Ohio State improves to 19-5 overall and 10-3 in Big Ten play with the win, while Northwestern falls to 5-21 overall and 0-13 in Big Ten play with the defeat. OSU has now posted back-to-back 10+ win seasons in the Big Ten for the first time since the 1991 and 1992 campaigns.
– Ohio State blocked as many shots in the second half (five) as Northwestern had field goals in the second half (five).
– The Buckeyes have led at the half 14 times this season. OSU has a 13-1 record in those contests.
– Ohio State extended its home-winning streak over Northwestern to 21 games. The Wildcats last won in Columbus on Feb. 24, 1977.
– With his 25-point performance, Michael Redd moved into sixth place on the all-time Ohio State scoring chart, passing Jay Burson (1,756). Redd, with 1,766 career points, now has his sights on fifth-place Jim Jackson (1,785). Redd also passed Burson in career field goals made, moving into sixth place on the all-time list with 657.
– Redd has now scored in double figures in 86 of his 89 career games and all but one this season (Oakland, 12/27/99).
– Scoonie Penn dished out five assists in the game, moving into a 10th-place tie with Dennis Hopson on the OSU all-time assists chart. The two both have 258 career assists.
– Ohio State has connected on at least one three-point goal in 244-consecutive games. Michael Redd extended the streak with a trey at the 3:39 mark of the second half, marking the first time this season OSU was held without a three-pointer in the first half.
– Ken Johnson added to his record-breaking blocked shot total, swatting six vs. Northwestern. Johnson now has 132 blocks this season – eight shy of the Big Ten single-season record of 140, set by Penn State’s Calvin Booth during the 1997-98 season.
– Johnson now has 290 career blocked shots, moving within 17 of Brad Sellers (307) for fifth place on the all-time OSU list.
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-point club at Ohio State. Penn will be the 38th player in OSU history to reach 1,000 career points with 10 more this season. Penn scored 609 as an OSU junior and has 381 this year. Penn will 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. Penn also will become just the seventh Buckeye to reach 1,000 points in his first two seasons at Ohio State.
Player(yrs. lettered) 1st 2 yrs. at OSU Jerry Lucas (1960-62) 1,381 (1960-61) Michael Redd (1998-) 1,361 (1998-99) Brad Sellers (1985-86) 1,122 (1985-86) Herb Williams (1978-81) 1,069 (1978-79) Jim Jackson (1990-92) 1,067 (1990-91) Dave Sorenson (1968-70) 1,041 (1968-69) Scoonie Penn (1999-00) 990 (1999-00)
OSU close to consecutive 20-win seasons
Jim O’Brien has guided the Buckeyes to a 10-3 record in the Big Ten and a 19-5 overall record after completing the conference schedule with a 12-4 record and an overall mark of 27-9 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 have posted 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. Another win this year would give the Buckeyes back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 1990-91 when OSU won 27 and 26 games, respectively.
Johnson records 200th career block, now 6th on Big Ten list
Buckeye senior Ken Johnson has 290 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 290 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 10 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- 290 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 1999-00 132 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 5.50 shots per game with 132 blocks on the year. Johnson has the fifth highest block per game average in NCAA history as of Feb. 25. As a team, the Buckeyes are first among Big Ten teams and No. 4 nationally in field goal percentage defense (.368) and blocked shots (6.75). The Buckeyes are second in turnover margin (+2.96). OSU is no. 14 nationally in scoring defense (60.4 ppg) and No. 21 in scoring margin (12.2).
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 5.50 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 132.
OSU honors Lucas, retires No. 11
The Ohio State Department of Athletics officially retired the No. 11 in men’s basketball to honor three-time All-American Jerry Lucas (1960-62). The ceremony took 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. His No. 11 was the first retired for men’s basketball and only the second number in all sports retired at Ohio State. Two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin’s No. 45 was retired during the 1999 OSU football season.
Redd leads Buckeyes in games vs. the Illini
Junior Michael Redd has averaged 21.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in four career meetings with Illinois. Senior Scoonie Penn has averaged 15.3 points followed by George Reese with 10.0 ppg.
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 Northwestern (2/23) giving the Buckeyes a 19-5 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. The next OSU win will give the Buckeyes 20 on the season. O’Brien has coached four previous teams to 20 or more wins. Three have advanced to the NCAA Tournament. His first team at St. Bonaventure (20-10, 1982-83) played in the NIT.
Buckeyes take care of the ball
Ohio State averages just 12.6 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 2.2 turnovers a game in 34.5 minutes of playing time a contest, or just one turnover for every 15.9 minutes played. Sophomore Brian Brown averages just 1.6 turnovers a game in 28.4 minutes per game or one TO every 17.9 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 reaches Top 10 in assists
With five assists against Northwestern (2/23), Scoonie Penn tied for the No. 10 spot in career assists at Ohio State. He has done so in just two seasons. Penn dished out 154 assists as a junior and has 104 this season. Dennis Hopson (1984-87) shares the No. 10 spot with 258 career assists.
Redd enters Top 10 list for career starts
Ohio State junior guard Michael Redd started his 90th career game against Northwestern (2/23). 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 (19-5) 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 28-3 (.903) 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 14-2 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 28-3 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 28-3 .903 1985-86 26-5 .839 1982-83 25-5 .833 1986-87 26-7 .788 1985-86 26-5 .781
Redd closing on Jackson for No. 5 spot in OSU career scoring
Michael Redd is in 6th place all-time at OSU in scoring with 1,766 career points after a 25-point effort against Northwestern (2/23/00). Redd trails No. 5 Jim Jackson (1990-92) by 19 points. Jackson ended his OSU career with 1,785 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. 6 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 192-50 (.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 16.9 ppg. Penn is currently second with 15.9 points per game. Redd has scored 405 points followed by Penn with 381. Redd is just the 12th Buckeye to record 400 or more points in a season three times
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 60 starts over the last two seasons.
Redd begins another double-figure scoring streak
Ohio State junior guard Michael Redd has appeared in 90 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 15 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 (290) at Ohio State in career blocks. Johnson trails the 328 recorded blocks by Buckeye great Herb Williams (1978-81) by 39. Johnson averaged 1.9 bpg (58/30 gms.) as a sophomore, 2.8 bpg. (100/36 gms.) as a junior and 5.50 bpg. (132/24 gms.) so far this season. If he keeps up his current pace he could still reach Williams’ record. Ohio State has at least four games remaining (three regular season, one in the Big Ten Tournament). Johnson could reach the record on his current pace in eight 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 1,766 career points, good for sixth on the OSU career list. Penn, who spent two seasons at Boston College, has scored 1,727 career points. Penn tallied 737 while at BC and has 990 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 14 of 23 opponents under 65 points this season and has an 13-1 record in those games…Ohio State has blocked at least one opponent shot in the last 61 games (0 vs. Penn State, 2/28/98)-Ken Johnson has started the last 60 games…an OSU player has scored in double figures 87 times this season…Michael Redd has 23, Scoonie Penn 21 and George Reese 16…four different players have reached the 20-point plateau with Redd leading the way with six 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…nine times a player has reached double digits in rebounding led by Ken Johnson with five followed by Redd with three…the Buckeyes are 13-1 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 5-3 when the opposing bench holds the advantage…the Buckeyes are 7-3 in games decided by 10 points or less and 12-2 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 60 at Ohio State…Penn has played 30 or more minutes in 21 games this season, including the last 14 and all 40 at Kansas (12/16)…his next minute played will be his 4,000th as a collegiate player…he has averaged 34.5 mpg. over 116 career games…Penn had a streak of 19-consecutive contests with at least one steal halted vs. Penn State (2/12)…he has 207 thefts in his career, 119 at Ohio State…a small but mighty rebounder, Penn is averaging 4.5 boards a contest this year…he has 433 career rebounds (3.7 rpg.)…he has connected on 82 percent of his free throws in the last 10 games (54-66)…Penn has five or more assists in nine games this season, including three of the last four contests.
– Michael Redd: Redd has started all 90 games in his career…he claimed sixth on the OSU career scoring list with 25 points vs. Northwestern (2/23)…Redd has 1,766 career points…Redd is 70 of 89 (.787) from the foul line this year…he is a career 64 percent free throw shooter (335-520)…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 19 of 24 games this season…he has 550 career rebounds for an average of 6.1 rpg…in the last six games, Redd has scored 20 or more points four times while connected at 50 percent or better from the field in four of the last five contests.
– Ken Johnson: Johnson has started the last 60 games at center…Johnson has 290 career blocks and is averaging 5.5 bpg. (132) 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 132 so far…Johnson has 26 career games with five or more blocks, he had three as a freshman, seven last year and 16 this season in 24 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 33 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 45-53 (.849)…he has made 81 of 149 field goal attempts (.544) this season after shooting 39 percent as a freshman…Brown has scored in double figures in 11 games this season after reaching 10 points just twice as a freshman…OSU is 10-3 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 24 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 12.1 ppg…he connected on 42 percent of his shots as a junior (73-174) but has upped that percentage to 50 percent this year (115-228)…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 11th game of the season vs. Northwestern (2/23) and contributed 16 points…he notched his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds in the road win over Indiana (2/23/00).
– Boban Savovic: Savovic has been bothered most of the season with ankle and leg injuries…he has appeared in just 13 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 (2/2)…he has made 54 percent of his 3-pointers this season (13-24)…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 64 percent shooter from the field…he has connected on 38-59 shots from the field in 39 career games…he has made 24-38 (.632) 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 132 blocks, has rejected 162 shots this season while foes have just 64.
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.
Illini route Indiana prior to meeting with Buckeyes
Illinois knew that beating No. 16 Indiana might be the last chance to recapture some of the national respect lost after a 1-2 start in the Big Ten. Respect restored The Illini embraced the opportunity, using a pressing defense and long-range shooting to rout Indiana 87-63. The Illini (18-7 overall, 10-4 Big Ten) have won seven straight and nine of 10, but were yet to beat a ranked team during that stretch. Indiana, coming off a loss to No. 6 Ohio State last weekend, dropped consecutive games for the first time this season in large measure because leading scorer A.J. Guyton continued to struggle. Guyton, held without a basket the last 13 1/2 minutes against the Buckeyes, made just one Tuesday and scored three points. He averages almost 21 a game. Indiana coach Bob Knight kept Guyton on the bench all but two minutes of the second half. Kirk Haston and Jeffrey Newton scored 17 each for Indiana (18-6, 8-5). The Hoosiers did themselves in early. Indiana spotted Illinois a huge first-half lead by giving the ball away 13 times. Seven of those turnovers were steals.
Illini successful vs. OSU when ranked
Illinois has been ranked among the Associated Press Top 25 in 35 games against Ohio State. The Illini have a 28-7 record against the Buckeyes when ranked. Illinois was last ranked in a meeting with Ohio State Jan. 6 when the No. 13 Buckeyes fell 80-77 to No. 19 Illinois. Ohio State’s last win over against the Illini was at Illinois when the No. 15 Buckeyes edged the unranked Illini, 64-61, in Champaign (1/30/99).
Buckeyes 15-10 when ranked vs. Illinois
Ohio State has taken an Associated Press Top 25 ranking into 26 games against Illinois since 1950. The Buckeyes have come away with a 15-11 record (.577) in those games.
Illini winners in 8 of last 9
Illinois has won its last seven games and nine of the last 10 outings including an 87-63 win over Indiana Feb. 22 in Champaign. The 18-7 Illini have rebounded well in the league after starting 1-3 in Big Ten play.
Bradford leads Illini offensively
Sophomore guard Cory Bradford leads the Illinois with a 15.6 scoring average. Marcus Griffin follows at 11.5 points per game and leads the team with 5.4 rebounds a contest. Freshman Frank Williams adds 11.1 ppg., and 4.5 assists a game.
Kruger in fourth campaign in Champaign
Illinois’ Lon Kruger is in his 18th season as a NCAA Division I head coach. He began his career at Texas Pan American (1983-86) after serving as an assistant at his alma mater, Kansas State, from 1979-82. Kruger then coached at KSU from 1987-90 before taking the Florida job in 1991. Illinois then hired the Silver Lake, Kan., native in 1997. Kruger has compiled a record of 313-230 as a head coach. As a player, he was the Big Eight Player of the Year in both 1973 and ’74. .
The Illinois Series
Illinois leads the all-time series with Ohio State 94-55. The Illini are 55-21 all-time over OSU in Champaign, 38-34 in Columbus and 1-0 on neutral ground. Ohio State last won in Champaign last season 64-61 (1/30/99). Illinois’ last win (80-77) was Jan. 6 earlier this season in Champaign.
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 55-94
Indiana 66-92
Iowa 59-67
Michigan 78-67
Michigan State 44-51
Minnesota 68-50
Northwestern 97-44
Penn State 10-10
Purdue 67-77
Wisconsin 78-53
Totals 621-605
OSU 3-point field goal streak extended to 244
Ohio State has connected on at least one 3-point field goal attempt over the last 244 games. Michael Redd extended the streak in the late in the second half against Northwestern. 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 234-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.
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.
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.
