Men’s Basketball Set To Open Play At Big Ten Tournament – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 8, 2001
Opponent Iowa or Northwestern
Site United Center, Chicago (23,262)
Game Time 10 p.m. (EST)
TV ESPN2
Local TV None
TV Talent Dave Barnett (Play-by-Play)
Quinn Buckner (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)
No. 3 seed Ohio State Buckeyes
Probable Starters (20-9, 11-5)
G 3-Sean Connolly, 6-5, 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. 6 seed Iowa Hawkeyes
Probable Starters (18-11, 7-9)
G 20-Dean Oliver, 5-11, Sr.
G 2-Ryan Hogan, 6-4, Jr.
C 5-Jared Reiner, 6-11, Fr.
F 32-Reggie Evans, 6-8, Jr.
F 4-Glen Worley, 6-7, Fr.
–OR–
No. 11 Northwestern Wildcats
Probable Starters (11-18, 3-13)
G 5-Ben Johnson, 6-2, So.
G 25-Jitim Young, 6-2, Fr.
G 32-Collier Drayton, 6-2, Jr.
F 33-Tavaras Hardy, 6-8, Jr.
F 3-Winston Blake, 6-5, So.
O’Brien earns 2nd Big Ten Coach of the Year in 4 years at Ohio State
The Big Ten media selected Jim O’Brien as the 2001 Big Ten Coach of the Year for the second time in his four years at Ohio State. O’Brien was selected for the same honor in 1999. O’Brien has four coach of the year honors in three NCAA Division I conferences. He was the 1983 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year while at St. Bonaventure and was the BIG EAST co-Coach of the Year in 1995-96 at Boston College. The Buckeyes finished the 2000-01 regular season with a 20-9 overall record and an 11-5 mark in Big Ten. Ohio State lost its top three scorers from its Big Ten Championship team in 1999-00 and did not return a double-digit scorer in 2000-01. Johnson tabbed First Team All-Big Ten by coaches, media
Ohio State senior center Ken Johnson earned a spot on coaches’ and media All-Big Ten First Team following his best season as a Buckeye. Johnson averaged career-highs with 12.4 points a game and 7.1 rebounds a contest. He also had his best season on the offensive end of the court. He shot 58 percent from the field (139-241) and 70 percent from the free throw line (81-117). His 25 assists and 12 steals also were career bests for a single season. Defensively, Johnson blocked 118 shots to become the Big Ten career leader in blocked shots with 437. That total also ranks No. 4 all-time in NCAA history. He also became the 39th player in OSU history to reach 1,000 career points.
Johnson repeats as Big Ten’s best defensive player
In the eyes of the Big Ten coaches, Ken Johnson is the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Johnson also earned the distinction last year as a junior, when he blocked a Big Ten and Ohio State single season record 161 shots and led the nation with a 5.37 blocks per game average. As a senior, Johnson has blocked 118 shots to up his Big Ten record total to 437.
Brown selected to All-Big Ten Third Team, honorable mention squad
Junior Brian Brown has his most productive season as a Buckeye to earn Third Team All-Big Ten accolades as selected by the Big Ten media. League coaches placed Brown on the honorable mention squad. Brown led the Buckeyes in scoring with 14.5 points a contest. He also led Ohio State in field goals made (149), free throws made (86), assists (120), steals (43) and minutes played (975). He shot 46 percent from the field and 72 percent from the foul line while averaging 4.4 rebounds a contest.
Buckeyes crack Top 25 for first time this season
The Associated Press voters have rated the Buckeyes the No. 24 team nationally following the completion of the regular season in which the Buckeyes finished 20-9 overall with an 11-5 Big Ten record. The Buckeyes received 158 votes for Top 25 consideration. Ohio State spent the final 10 weeks of the 1998-99 season and all 20 weeks of 1999-00 ranked among the Top 25 teams nationally in the Associated Press Poll. The Buckeyes finished 1998-99 No. 14 and were No. 8 in the AP Poll in 1999-00.
Buckeyes look to improve on Big Ten Tournament fortunes
Ohio State has a 1-3 record in three Big Ten Tournament appearances. The Buckeyes lost its first game to Indiana 78-71 (3/5/98) in the inaugural postseason league tournament. OSU downed Michigan 87-69 (3/5/99) before falling to Illinois (79-77 (3/6/99). The Buckeyes were ousted by Penn State, 71-66 (3/1/00) last year. The Buckeyes, the No. 3 seed this season, will face either No. 6 Iowa or No. 11 Northwestern in the opening round of the tournament this year.
Fifth-consecutive road win in Big Ten a first since 1971
Ohio State started the Big Ten season with a 4-5 record and has since gone 7-0, including five-consecutive road wins in the league. Ohio State not won five-consecutive road games in Big Ten play since the 1970-71 season when OSU won all seven of its road contests on the way to a 13-1 record in the league. Ohio State finished 20-6 that year and won the Big Ten title.
Johnson selected to NABC District 10 First Team
The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced the NABC/Chevrolet Division I All-District Teams, recognizing the country’s best men’s collegiate basketball student-athletes. Ohio State senior center Ken Johnson (6-11, Detroit, Mich./Henry Ford) is a first-team selection in District 10. He is joined on the District 10 First Team by Troy Murphy (Notre Dame), David West (Xavier), Kirk Haston (Indiana) and Tony Stanley (Dayton).
Buckeyes reach 11 wins in Big Ten for 3rd-consecutive season
The win over Penn State gave the Buckeyes their 11th win in the Big Ten for the third-consecutive year after a stretch of six-consecutive years without reaching nine wins in the league. Ohio State has not put together three-consecutive years with 11 or more wins in the league since the 1962-64 seasons. The Buckeyes were in the final three seasons of a five years stretch of winning the Big Ten Conference title. Ohio State is currently vying for its 21st NCAA Tournament appearance and third-consecutive trip to the Big Dance. OSU last went to the NCAA Tournament three consecutive years from 1990-92. The Big Ten victory over Northwestern (2/24/01) gave the Buckeyes their 26th campaign with 10 or more wins in Big Ten play.
Johnson reaches milestone in win over Northwestern
Ohio State’s Ken Johnson claimed the Big Ten record for career blocks in the 69-57 win over Northwestern (2/24/01). He passed Calvin Booth of Penn State (1995-99) to claim the record. Johnson also passed Booth for the No. 5 spot all time in NCAA history for career blocks. Johnson is currently tied with No. 4 Lorenzo Coleman’s (Tenn. Tech) with 437 career blocks.
Buckeyes show balance from long range, free throw line
Four Buckeye regulars have each connected on at least 37 3-point shots this season. Sophomore Sean Connolly leads the pack with 42 made treys and is tops in 3-point shooting percentage (.416). Junior Boban Savovic is second in made treys (38-97, .392) while classmate Brian Brown is second in 3-point shooting percentage (.402, 37-92). Sophomore Brent Darby also has 37 made 3-pointers (37-105, .352). Add Ken Johnson to the above four and the Buckeyes have five players hitting 70 percent or better from the foul line. Connolly again is the leader by percentage (38-46, .826). He has made 32 of his last 33 attempts. Savovic (59-78, .756), Darby (55-73, .753), Brown (86-120, .717) and Johnson (82-117, .701) all have performed well at the charity stripe.
Savovic leads comeback at PSU
Ohio State junior Boban Savovic scored 17 of his career high 23 points in the second half to lead the Buckeyes to a remarkable 93-87 comeback victory over Penn State. The Nittany Lions led Ohio State 51-31 at the half behind the 19 points scored by senior Joe Crispin. Penn State connected on 8-of-14 3-point attempts on the way to the 20-point edge. The second half proved to be a different story as the Buckeyes scored 62 points to erase the PSU lead. The second half scoring effort was just a point off the 63 total points scored by the Buckeyes in home wins over both Wisconsin (63-58, 2/10/01) and Illinois (63-61, 2/22/01).
Noting the win over Penn State
Ohio State’s come-from-behind win over Penn State was thelargest comeback victory since the Buckeyes overcame a 17-pointdeficit (55-38/13:36 to play in second half) to win in overtime(90-84) vs. Duke (12/29/78) at the ECAC Holiday Tournament held atMadison Square Garden. The Buckeyes were down 51-31 at the half tothe Nittany Lions before mounting the comeback. OSU was down by 18points (68-50) with 11:05 to play in the game before going on a31-13 run to tie the game at 81 with 1:49 to play. The Buckeyestook a 90-81 lead with 32 seconds to play, a 29-point swing, beforefinishing with a 93-87 victory. The 62 second-half points are themost since the Buckeyes reached 62 in the first half againstMissouri-St. Louis Nov. 27, 1993. Ohio State has never reached 60points in a half vs. a Big Ten team and has done so only eighttimes in history. The last 60-plus half was a 61-point first-halfeffort Jan. 8, 1995 vs. George Mason. The 62 points in the secondhalf ties for the fourth-highest scoring half in OSU history. TheOSU record for points in a half is 69 (2nd) vs. Howard (12/14/91).Ohio State secured the No. 3 seed in the 2001 Big Ten Tournament.The Buckeyes have been one of the Top 3 seeds in each of the lastthree seasons. The Buckeyes have finished in the Top 3 32 times in89 years as a member of the Big Ten Conference. Ohio State has won20 or more games in each of the last three seasons following thevictory over Penn State. The Buckeyes last won 20 or more inthree-consecutive seasons from 1990-92. The 1990-92 teams alsoadvanced to three-consecutive NCAA Tournaments. The win in StateCollege, Pa., evens the all-time series between Ohio State and PennState at 12 games apiece. Ohio State junior Boban Savovic scored acareer high 23 points vs. the Nittany Lions. He scored 17 points inthe second half. His previous career high was 17 points scoredagainst Michigan (1/18/01). Sophomore Brent Darby pitched in 15points to give him six-consecutive games in double figures. He hasscored 10 or more points 16 times in his OSU career. Ohio State is14-2 in those contests. Senior Ken Johnson recorded his eighthcareer double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds against thePSU. Johnson moved to No. 36 all time at Ohio State in careerscoring with 17 vs. the Nittany Lions. He has scored 1,029 careerpoints. He trails No. 35 Jamie Skelton (1991-94), who finished hiscareer with 1,055 points. Ohio State extended its streak ofconsecutive games with at least one 3-point field goal to 279.Boban Savovic extended the streak with a 3-pointer with 13:35 toplay in the first half. Johnson blocked three Penn State shots tobring his career total to 437. He is now tied for No. 4 all time inNCAA history with Lorenzo Coleman of Tennessee Tech. AlonzoMourning of Georgetown is No. 3 with 453 career blocks. Ohio Statefinished the regular season with seven-consecutive wins in the BigTen and five-consecutive wins on the road. The Buckeyes has not wonfive in a row away from Columbus in the Big Ten since 1971. Theseven-game league win streak is the longest since an eight-gamestreak last season. The 93 points scored by the Buckeyes tied theseason-high offensive output (93-62) vs. Morehead State (12/16/00).Ohio State last scored 93 points vs. a Big Ten team March 14, 1992at Minnesota in a 94-63 Buckeye win. The Buckeyes shot 35-of-62(.565) from the field, including a 23-of-38 (.605) effort in thesecond half. Five different Buckeyes took at least 10 shots in thegame.
Johnson 2nd in league to reach 400 blocks
Buckeye senior Ken Johnson has 437 blocks in his career after swatting three at Penn State (3/3/01). Johnson is the career leader in Big Ten history in career blocks. Johnson cracked the Top 10 in Big Ten single-season block records for the third time at Iowa. He already owns the No. 1 spot with 161 in 1999-00 and the No. 9 spot with 100 in 1998-99. His 115 this season rates No. 5.
Big Ten Career Blocked Shots leaders 1. Ken Johnson, OSU 1998- 437 2. Calvin Booth, PSU 1995-99 428 3. Acie Earl, IOWA 1989-93 365 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. Ken Johnson, OSU 2000-01 118 6. Acie Earl, Iowa 1990-91 106 7. Joe Barry Carroll, PUR 1977-78 105 8. Calvin Booth, PSU 1995-96 101 9. Ken Johnson, OSU 1998-99 100 10.Dean Garrett, IND 1987-88 99
Unranked Buckeyes win 4 vs. ranked teams for 1st time since 1989-90
Ohio State, unranked in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls defeated four of the last five ranked opponents faced. The last time the Buckeyes defeated four ranked teams as an unranked squad was during the 1989-90 season when OSU downed six ranked teams.
Johnson owns Top 3 spots in single season blocks
With 118 blocks this year, senior Ken Johnson has his name listed at the Top 3 positions on the Ohio State single-season blocked shots chart. His 161 blocks as a junior is an OSU single-season record. He swatted 100 as a sophomore, the third highest single season total. His senior total rates No. 2.
Johnson in Top 10 in NCAA career blocks
Ken Johnson sits atop the OSU and Big Ten career lists and is in the Top 10 in career blocks in NCAA history. His current total of 437 ranks No. 4 (tied) all-time in NCAA career blocks. Johnson is one of only 11 players in the history of college basketball to block 400 or more shots. Johnson reached the 400 mark with six blocks at Michigan State (1/21/01). Johnson has averaged 3.5 blocks a game over his career. That average rates among the Top 20 all time in NCAA history at No. 17.
NCAA Career Blocks No. Name Gms. Blks. 1. Adonal Foyle, Colgate 87 492 2. Tim Duncan, Wake Forest 128 481 3. Alonzo Mourning, Georgetown 120 453 4. Ken Johnson, Ohio St. 125 437 Lorenzo Coleman, Tenn. Tech 113 437 6. Calvin Booth, Penn St. 114 428 7. Theo Ratliff, Wyoming 111 425 8. Etan Thomas, Syracuse 122 424 9. Rodney Blake, St. Joseph’s 116 419 10. Shaquille O’Neal, LSU 90 412
Brown enjoys best season as a Buckeye
Junior Brian Brown is having his most productive season as a Buckeye. In this, his third year, he has single season highs in field goals (149), 3-pointers made (37), free throws made (86), assists (120), steals (43), points (421) and scoring average (14.5). His career scoring average is 8.8 ppg.
Buckeyes increase production in Big Ten Conference play
Point production has increased during the Big Ten Conference portion of the schedule for three regulars. Brian Brown is consistent with his offensive output with 14.5 ppg. overall and 14.7 ppg. in conference games. Ken Johnson averages 13.6 points in league games and 12.4 ppg. overall. Brent Darby averages 10.6 ppg. in the league and 9.5 ppg. on the season. Johnson averages 7.7 rebounds a game in the league and 7.1 rpg. overall.
Brown, Johnson account for majority of Ohio State’s double figure scoring games
Buckeye players have 92 individual double-figure scoring efforts in 29 games this season. Brian Brown leads with 24 with Ken Johnson close behind with 22.
Buckeyes earn 7th win over a defending national champion
Ohio State has met the defending national champion 29 times in history with a 7-22 record in those games following the win over Michigan State (1/27/01). The Buckeyes have a 24-52 record against teams who participated in the Final Four the previous year. The Buckeyes faced a stretch of four games against 2000 Final Four teams, defending national champion Michigan State, twice, and 2000 Final Four participant Wisconsin, twice. Ohio State split the season series with both teams. Before the recent win over the Spartans, the last time OSU downed a defending national champion was during the 1989-90 season when the Buckeyes won 64-61 over No. 5 Michigan (2/18/90). Michigan won the 1989 national title.
Buckeyes pay back road games after run of home contests
Before traveling to Michigan State (1/21/01), Ohio State enjoyed 12 home games in a stretch of 13 contests. Ohio State traveled for six of the final eight games of the season, including two of the last three regular-season games. OSU closed the season with eight wins in the final 10 games, including five consecutive wins on the road in the Big Ten.
Buckeyes start same four all season
Four of the five OSU starters have remained constant all season with senior Ken Johnson, juniors Brian Brown and Boban Savovic and freshman Zach Williams starting all 29 contests this season. Sophomores Brent Darby (15 starts) and Sean Connolly (14 starts) have been the only changes to the lineup this season.
Ohio State vs. ranked opponents
The Buckeyes played the ninth ranked opponent of the season at home vs. No. 3 Illinois. The Buckeyes are 123-192 vs. teams in the AP Top 25. Five of the nine ranked teams OSU has faced this year have been in the AP Top 10. Ohio State has played No. 21 Alabama, No. 16 Wisconsin, twice, No. 14 Iowa, No. 3 Illinois, twice, No. 5 Michigan State, twice, and No. 3 Kansas this season. Syracuse, currently ranked, was not in the Top 25 when OSU played the Orangemen at the great Alaska Shootout earlier this year.
Visitors struggle to win at VCA
Ohio State has lost six home games in the 3-year history of Value City Arena. The Buckeyes have a record of 43-6 all time at the VCA. In the six home losses, no team has won by more than three points. The Buckeyes have lost by an average of 2.5 points in the six games.
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 313-264 in 19 seasons as a head coach. He has a record of 78-47, including a record of 70-25 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.
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, 2000. 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.
Robinson back in uniform
Doylan Robinson (Akron, Ohio/Buchtel), a junior guard, was out of action recovering from injuries sustained as a passenger in a traffic accident Sunday, Dec. 3, 2000. Robinson suffered several lacerations to his face and right hand. He is expected to recover fully. Robinson has played in seven games to date for the Buckeyes after playing the three minutes vs. Penn State (3/3/01). He is averaging 1.4 points and 1.4 rebounds in 6.6 minutes a game. He resumed practicing and was first dressed for the Ohio State vs. Indiana contest Jan. 31.
Johnson No. 1 on OSU career swat chart
Ken Johnson has 118 blocks on the season for a career total of 437, which places him first all-time at Ohio State in career rejections. Johnson passed Herb Williams (1978-81) at the Great Alaska Shootout in November. 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 4.1 blocks a game this season.
Johnson becomes 39th Buckeye to reach 1,000 career points
Ken Johnson reached career point No. 1,000 as a Buckeye with 16 in the home win over Illinois (2/22/01). He has scored 1,029 for a career scoring average of 8.2 a contest in his four seasons at Ohio State. He is averaging 12.4 points this season, the highest single-season scoring average of his career.
Johnson paces OSU in the Big Ten
Among Big Ten players, senior Ken Johnson rates in the Top 10 in four statistical categories. He is the league’s best shot blocker with 4.1 rejections a game. With a .577 field goal shooting percentage, he rates No. 4. He is fifth in defensive rebounds (5.1) and seventh in overall rebounds per game (7.1). Sophomore Sean Connolly is the No. 5 3-point shooter in the conference with a .416 shooting percentage. Junior Brian Brown is No. 9 in 3-point shooting percentage (.402).
Northwestern, Iowa enter with freshman, sophomore coaches
Northwestern head coach Bill Carmody will lead the Wildcats into his first Big Ten Tournament as the NU head coach. He has compiled a record of 11-18 over all and 3-13 in the Big Ten. The Wildcats begin postseason as winners of two of the last three Big Ten games, including a 75-70 win at Michigan. Carmody has a career record of 103-43, which includes a 92-25 record in four seasons at Princeton. Iowa head coach Steve Alford is in his second season at the helm of the Hawkeyes. Iowa is 18-11 overall and 7-9 in the league. The Hawkeyes have lost seven of their last eight games following the loss of leading scorer Luke Recker (18.1 ppg.), who is out with an injured knee.
The Iowa series
The Hawkeyes have a 67-60 advantage over Ohio State in the all-time series. Iowa is 43-20 in games played in Iowa City while the Buckeyes are 39-24 in Columbus. Ohio State won the regular season meeting with the Hawkeyes in Iowa City 69-68 (2/7/01). Ohio State is 1-0 in neutral site games. The last neutral site meeting was March 12, 1968 when the Buckeyes downed the Hawkeyes 85-81 in a Big Ten Conference playoff game held in West Lafayette, Ind. Ohio State advanced to the Final Four that season with wins over East Tennessee State and Kentucky. North Carolina beat OSU at the Final Four but OSU rebounded to beat No. 1 Houston (89-85) in the third-place game.
The Buckeyes vs. Iowa
Junior Brian Brown leads the Buckeye regulars in games played against Iowa. Brown has scored 33 points (8.3 ppg.) in four meetings with the Hawkeyes. Sophomore Sean Connolly scored 11 points in his first meeting with Iowa earlier this season. Senior Ken Johnson is the leading rebounder vs. the Hawkeyes with 5.7 rpg. in six career meetings.
The Northwestern series
Ohio State leads the series 99-44 against Northwestern after posting a pair of victories this season. The Buckeyes won in Columbus 73-56 (1/3/01) and in Evanston (69-57) this season. The Buckeyes own a 40-30 record in Evanston and a 59-14 mark in Columbus. Ohio State has a five-game winning streak over the Wildcats.
The Buckeyes vs. Northwestern
Sophomore Sean Connolly averaged 9.5 points in two meetings with Northwestern this season. Brian Brown has a 9.0 scoring average in five meetings with the Wildcats. Ken Johnson is the leading rebounder with a 5.2 rebounding average in six meetings vs. the Wildcats. Brown is 12-12 vs. Northwestern from the foul line. In two games vs. the Wildcats this season, Brent Darby averaged 17 points and 4.0 rebounds. Johnson averaged 12.5 points in the two meetings this year to go along with 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 blocks.
Leading the Buckeyes
Junior Brian Brown leads the Buckeyes offensively with a scoring average of 14.5 points per game. He leads the team in minutes played (33.6 mpg.). Sophomore Sean Connolly leads in 3-point shooting (42-101, .416). Connolly is the team’s leading free throw shooter (38-46, .826). Ken Johnson is the team’s leading rebounder with 7.1 a game. He is the most accurate Buckeye from the field as well hitting 58 percent of his shots (139-241). Brown leads in assists with 120 and steals, 43.
OSU opponents fare well in polls
Six 2000-01 Buckeye opponents are rated among the Top 25 in the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls. Michigan State (2/3), Illinois (4/4), Kansas (9/10), Syracuse (17/14), Wisconsin (23/21) and Alabama (RV/25) are rated in the Top 25. Indiana and St. John’s are receiving votes.
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.
OSU vs. the Big Ten
Ohio State won its 11th game of the Big Ten season at Penn State to secure three-consecutive seasons with 11 or more wins in league play. Ohio State won its 99th game vs. Northwestern with a sweep of the regular season series, giving the Buckeyes the most wins vs. any other Big Ten foe. Ohio State is in its 89th season of Big Ten play.
Big Ten Series Records OSU/Opp. Illinois 57-95 Indiana 66-93 Iowa 60-67 Michigan 79-67 Michigan State 45-52 Minnesota 71-50 Northwestern 99-44 Penn State 12-12 Purdue 68-77 Wisconsin 79-54 Totals 636-611
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 2000-01 29-5 .853 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 279
Ohio State has connected on at least one 3-point field goal over the last 279 games. Boban Savovic extended the streak in the first half against Penn State (3/3/01). 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 271-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.
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. According to STATS Inc., Ohio State was among just six schools to use just one or two different starting lineups in 1999-00.
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 weeklong camp. The camp ended with a nationally-televised (NBC) contest Sept. 2 at the University of Hawaii Stan Sheriff Center.
