Men’s Basketball Continues Road Trip at Iowa – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 14, 2002
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Date Feb. 16, 2002
Opponent Iowa
Site Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500)
Game Time 12:17 p.m. (EST)
TV ESPN Plus
Local TV WBNS 10 TV
TV Talent Wayne Larrivee (Play-by-Play), Shon Morris (Color)
Radio OSU Radio Network (64 stations)
Local Radio WBNS FM-97.1 AM-1460
Radio Talent Paul Keels (P-by-P), Ron Stokes (Color)
No. 20 Ohio State Buckeyes
Probable Starters (17-5, 8-3)
G 4 – Brent Darby, 6-1, Jr.
G 21 – Boban Savovic, 6-5, Sr.
G 13 – Brian Brown, 6-4, Sr.
C 14 – Velimir Radinovic, 7-0, So.
F 33 – Zach Williams, 6-7, So.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Probable Starters (15-11, 4-8)
G 24 – Luke Recker, 6-6, Sr.
G 3 – Pierre Pierce, 6-4, Fr.
C 53 – Sean Sonderleiter, 6-9, So.
F 32 – Reggie Evans, 6-8, Sr.
F 4 – Glen Worley, 6-7, So.
Ohio State Continues Four-Game Road Trip
The Buckeyes hope to get back on the winning track Saturday at Iowa when they play the third game of a grueling four-game road trip. The Buckeyes are coming off a three-point loss to at Michigan State last Sunday (67-64) and an overtime loss at Wisconsin (94-92) on Feb. 6. After Iowa, the last game of the road trip is at Indiana on Wednesday. The last time Ohio State played four-straight conference games on the road was during the 1948-49 season when the Buckeyes traveled to Illinois, Northwestern, Indiana and Michigan. The trip also included a stop at St. Louis. Ohio State has not lost three-consecutive games since 1997-98, Jim O’Brien’s first season at Ohio State. The last time the Buckeyes lost two-consecutive games (at Louisville and Pittsburgh earlier this year), they went on to win their next nine games in a row. Buckeyes On Top in The Big Ten
Ohio State is currently tied with Indiana for first place in the Big Ten (Feb. 14). The Buckeyes are 8-3 in conference play and 17-5 overall. The Hoosiers are also 8-3 in the conference and 16-8 overall. The last time the Ohio State started 8-3 in conference play was during the 1999-00 Big Ten Championship season when the Buckeyes finished 13-3 in conference play. The Buckeyes and the Hoosiers meet again Tuesday in Bloomington.
Darby and Brown Pace Buckeyes
Ohio State guards Brian Brown and Brent Darby lead the team in scoring, averaging over 15 points each in Big Ten play. Darby has heated up over the last four games scoring 84 points for an average of 21 points a game. Included were wins over then No.12 ranked Illinois and Northwestern. Against the Illini (Jan. 29), Darby tied his then career-high with 22 points, including a 16-of-18 effort from the stripe, to lead the Buckeyes over Illinois. Darby bettered his scoring output against Northwestern (Feb. 2), scoring a career-high 26 points, including 11 of OSU’s last 12 points. He also connected on 3 of 5 treys and went 7 of 8 from the free throw line. He tallied a combined 48 points, shooting 11 of 17 from the field and connected on 23 of 26 free throws. Against Wisconsin and Michigan State, Darby again lead his team in scoring, tallying 22 and 14 points respectively in those two games. He is averaging 15.3 points in Big Ten play.
Brown has led his team in scoring 10 times this season and has lead or tied for the team lead in five Big Ten games this year for the Buckeyes. Brown is averaging a team high 15.4 points in Big Ten play, including a career-high 26 points in the win over Indiana (Jan. 19). He has scored in double figures in 20 of OSU’s 22 games this season and is now 25th among OSU career scoring leaders with 1,187 points. Brown now trails Luke White (1971-73) by 24 points for the No. 24 spot on OSU’s all-time scoring list.
Ohio State Back in Both Polls
Ohio State is currently ranked in the Top 25 in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches polls as of Feb. 11. The Buckeyes are 20th in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll and 23rd in the Associated Press poll. It marks the fourth-consecutive week OSU has received top 25 recognition. Ohio State has played or will face five teams currently ranked or receiving votes in the most recent Associated Press Top 25 Poll.
Ohio State in RPI Top 20
With an 11-3 record in its last 14 games, and an overall record of 17-5, Ohio State has moved into the Top 20 in the Rating Percentage Index, a formula used to help select teams to the NCAA tournament. The Buckeyes are No. 19 in the most recent RPI (2/14/02). Ohio State is third among Big Ten schools in the recent poll. Indiana is 14th and Illinois 15th.
Coach O’Brien on the Buckeyes Recently
“This is about as difficult a stretch as you can go through in this league,” said Ohio State coach Jim O’Brien of the Buckeyes’ current four-game road swing. “We lost in overtime and by three points at two of the more difficult places in the conference to win games. We have to stay positive and make sure our guys stick with us. I have talked to our players about recommitting to the defense. I think we need to do a much better job than what we are doing defensively.”
Dials on Pace to Set OSU Freshman Record
Ohio State freshman Terence Dials is shooting 64.9 percent (53-82) from the field in 22 games as a Buckeye. Dials is well on his way to setting an Ohio State freshman record for field goal percentage. Jermaine Tate is the current record holder with a .569 (115-202) shooting percentage as a freshman in 1996.
Dials, Williams Lead Big Ten From Field
Freshman Terence Dials and sophomore Zach Williams are both in the top five in the conference in field goal percentage. Dials is third in the conference, hitting 53-82 (.649) in 22 games while Williams is No. 4, connecting on 47-of-78 shots (.603) in Big Ten games.
Ohio State 11-2 at VCA vs. Ranked Teams
Ohio State has faced 13 ranked opponents at Value City Arena since the facility opened for the start of the 1998-99 season. Ohio State is 4-1 against Top 10 teams, which includes a 72-62 victory over No. 9 Iowa on Jan. 5. OSU is 11-1 vs. ranked Big Ten squads at VCA. The Buckeyes are 124-192 all-time vs. teams ranked in the Associated Press Poll.
Buckeyes Show Up in NCAA Statistics
Ohio State (as of Feb. 11) is rated in the Top 30 in several categories. The Buckeyes are No. 8 nationally in field goal percentage (48.7), No. 17 in scoring defense (61.8), No. 25 in winning percentage (77.3), 23rd in scoring margin (11.4 ppg.) and 26th in rebound margin (6.0).
Ohio State Travels to Iowa
Ohio State enters its road matchup at Iowa following a 67-64 loss at Michigan State and an overtime loss on the road in Madison to the Badgers. Ohio State, victorious in 11 of its last 14 games, is 17-5 overall and 8-3 in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes have lost seven of their last nine games. They are 15-11 overall and 4-8 in the Big Ten.
Recker and Evans Lead Iowa Attack
Seniors Luke Recker and Reggie Evans lead the Hawkeyes in scoring this season. Recker is averaging 17.3 points per contest, just ahead of Evans who is averaging 16.3 ppg. Evans also leads the team and the Big Ten in rebounding, pulling down 11.5 rebounds per game.
The Buckeyes vs. Iowa
Senior Brian Brown leads the Buckeyes with an 11.6 points per game scoring average against Iowa in six career games. He is followed closely by junior Brent Darby, who is averaging 9.5 ppg in four career games against the Hawkeyes. Junior Sean Connolly averages 8.0 ppg in three career games and senior Boban Savovic averages 7.0 ppg in five career games. Sophomore Zach Williams leads the Buckeyes on the boards against the Hawkeyes, pulling down five rebounds a game in three career games.
Hawkeyes Lead Close Series
The Hawkeyes own the all-time series lead with the Buckeyes, 68-61. The Buckeyes lead the series in Columbus, 40-24, while Iowa has the edge in Iowa City, 43-20. The series is tied 1-1 at neutral sites. The Buckeyes have won three of the last five games with the Hawkeyes including the last meeting, a 72-62 Buckeye victory Jan. 5 in Columbus. The two teams split the season series a year ago. The Buckeyes won the first meeting in Iowa City (69-68) Feb. 7, 2001. Iowa won the other meeting, 75-66, in the second round of the Big Ten tournament in Chicago (March 9, 2001).
Alford in Third Year at Iowa
Iowa head coach Steve Alford is in his third year at the helm of the Hawkeyes with a 52-39 overall record. Alford has a career record of 208-116 which includes a 78-29 record in four seasons at Division III Manchester College and a four-year record of 78-48 at Southwest Missouri State. In only his second season, Alford directed the Hawkeyes to the 2001 Big Ten Tournament championship and a trip back to the NCAA tournament.
Brown Climbs Scoring Chart
Senior Brian Brown reached the 1,000-point mark in his Buckeye career earlier this year against UNC-Greensboro. Brown became the 40th player in Ohio State history to reach 1,000 points. He has scored 1,187 points in 119 career games for an average of 10 points a contest. He scored 11 points in the most recent outing against Michigan State and currently owns No. 25 spot on the all-time career scoring list at Ohio State. He trails No. 24 Luke White (1971-73) by 24 points (1,211).
O’Brien 26-4 in VCA vs. Conference Foes
In four seasons at Value City Arena, Jim O’Brien and the Buckeyes have a combined record of 26-4 (.867) in Big Ten play at home in VCA. Indiana, Iowa (2) and Penn State are the only Big Ten teams with victories at VCA. The Buckeyes are 31-3 (.912) against non-conference opponents at VCA. Ohio State was 7-0 in 1998-99, 8-1 in 1999-00 and 8-1 in 2000-01 in non-Big Ten home games. The Buckeyes are 11-1 at home this year. Home losses at VCA have come to Notre Dame (59-57) in the 1999 Preseason NIT (11/16), Kansas (69-68) Dec. 23, 2000 and Pittsburgh Dec. 19, 2001 (62-55). O’Brien is 38-5 in non-conference home games in five seasons at Ohio State, which includes a 7-2 record his first season at St. John Arena.
Buckeyes Climbing 3-point Chart
Boban Savovic is eighth on the Top 10 list for career 3-pointers made at OSU with 103. He has connected on 39-of-98 3-point shots this season for a shooting percentage of 39.8 percent. Savovic passed Damon Stringer (1996-97), who finished his career with 89 treys, with a 3-of-5 effort at Purdue (1/2/02) earlier this season. Brian Brown is now tied with Stringer for 9th with 89 3-pointers. He has made 16-of-54 on the season (.296). Brent Darby also is climbing the 3-point chart and could crack the top 10 this season as well. He has made 84-of-225 (.373) for his OSU career. Sean Connolly has made 132-of-336 career 3-pointers, which includes a 64-of-165 (.388) long-range shooting effort as a freshman at Providence. At Ohio State, Connolly has connected on 68-of-171 treys (.397).
Buckeyes Limit Foes’ Long-Range Shooting
Fourteen of the 22 teams Ohio State has played this season have been held below 30 percent shooting from 3-point range. The Buckeyes have held six opponents under 18 percent shooting from long range.
Opponent Pct. 3FG-A Winthrop 16.7 3-18 N.C. State 14.8 4-27 UNC-Wilmington 15.4 2-13 Santa Clara 25.0 4-16 at Louisville 14.3 4-28 Pittsburgh 26.3 5-19 Eastern Illinois 20.0 3-15 UNC-Greensboro 26.7 4-15 Massachusetts 29.4 5-17 Northwestern 25.0 5-20 Michigan 20.0 4-20 Illinois 17.6 3-17 Wisconsin 17.4 4-23 Michigan State 27.3 3-11
Brown Now Eighth in Career Assists
Brian Brown passed former teammate Scoonie Penn on the Ohio State career assists list with five against IUPUI earlier this season. Brown is now eighth all-time with 335 assists. Prior to the Wisconsin game, Brown was tied for the eighth spot with Jay Burson (1986-89) with 329. Jim Jackson (1990-92) is seventh all-time with 372.
Noting the Game at Michigan State
The Buckeyes entered the game at Michigan State as the bestshooting team in the league (.494 for all games), but shot aseason-low .365 percent (23 of 63) against the Spartans. VelimirRadinovic had seven rebounds against MSU, one short of his careerbest (Santa Clara 12/12/01). Brian Brown’s 11 points vs. theSpartans, give him 1,187 for his career. Brown is now 25th in OSUscoring annals. He surpassed Lawrence Funderburke (1,179) with hisperformance on Sunday. Boban Savovic, Brown and Brent Darby allnotched treys at MSU. For Savovic, it was career 3-pointer No. 104,the eighth-best total in OSU annals (now three behind Doug Etzler).Brown popped in his 89th career three, tying him with DamonStringer for the ninth spot on the all-time OSU list. Darby now has84 treys and ranks 11th among OSU sharpshooters. Four differentBuckeyes scored in double figures against Michigan State: Dials(11), Williams (12), Darby (14) and Brown (11). It marks the ninthtime this season that has happened. Ohio State is now 3-4 on theroad this season and 2-3 on the road in conference play. With 11points against Michigan State, Brian Brown has now scored in doublefigures in 20 of OSU’s 22 games this season.
Brown Tops Four in Double Figures
Senior Brian Brown continues to lead team lead in scoring following an 11-point effort against Michigan State. In 22 games this season Brown is averaging 14.7 points per game, followed by Brent Darby with 13.3 ppg. Boban Savovic is next with 11.3 ppg., followed by sophomore Zach Williams (10.6).
Ohio State Tops Big Ten in Several Areas
Ohio State is among the top two in several Big Ten categories. The Buckeyes lead in scoring margin (+11.4 ppg.), field goal percentage (.487) and rebounding defense (28.5). Ohio State is second in scoring defense (61.8), 3-point field goal percentage defense (.295), rebound margin (6.0) and assist/turnover ratio (1.13). The Buckeyes are third in assists (15.23) and turnover margin (+1.55).
Value City Arena Serves Buckeyes Well
Ohio State has played 64 home games at Value City Arena since the facility opened for the 1998-99 season. The Buckeyes are 57-7 (.890) at Value City Arena.
Noting the Buckeyes… 2-Brandon Fuss-Cheatham: Has played in 21 games … just two turnovers to go with 10 assists in last seven games, no turnovers in last six contests with nine assists … averages 10 minutes a game off the bench this season for the Buckeyes.
3-Sean Connolly: Contributes nearly 20 minutes off the bench … has made 10-of-21 (.476) 3-point attempts in last five contests … five double figure games this season with season-high 17 in loss at Minnesota…has been charged with just five turnovers in last seven games…has 36 assists and 10 steals this year … career 80 percent shooter from the foul line (121-150) … played 50th game as a Buckeye vs. Illinois.
4-Brent Darby: Averaging 19.6 points per contest over the last five games … notched a career-high 26 points against Northwestern (Feb. 2) … one of four Buckeyes in double figures with 13.3 points a game … has played 30 or more minutes in 15 games this season including a career-high 41 minutes in the overtime loss to Wisconsin … team leader from the foul line (90-114, .789) … in last six games has connected on 13-of-27 3-pointers (.481) … career 77 pct. shooter from the foul line (163-211) … 84 career 3-pointers, nearing Top 10 list … had a string of three-consecutive 20-point games earlier this season.
13-Brian Brown: Went over 400 career rebounds against Northwestern (412/3.5 rpg.) … has made 88-consecutive starts for the Buckeyes … only current Buckeye with over 300 assists (335) and 100 steals (116) … shooting 47 percent from the field this season… has been in double digits offensively in last 17 games and in 20-of-22 games this season … tied for 9th place all-time among OSU 3-point leaders with 89.
14-Velimir Radinovic: Has started the past 18 games … double figure minutes in 17-of-22 games … shooting 52 percent from the field (29-55) … second on the team with 12 blocks … season high 10 points in home loss to Pittsburgh (12/19/01).
21-Boban Savovic: Played 100th game and made 50th start as a Buckeye vs. Illinois … leads team from 3-point range (39-98, .398) … tops Buckeyes in assists from the No. 3 guard spot with 90 … has recorded five or more assists in 11 games this season … tops in steals with 31 … … 104 of 209 FGs are for career are from 3-pt. range (104-280, .371) … needs one steals to reach 100 at Ohio State.
23-Ryan Heflin: Shooting 71.4 percent from the field in seven appearances (5-7) this season … career-high seven points in six minutes vs. Santa Clara (12/12/01) … team barber, often cuts teammates’ hair the day before games.
24-Shaun Smith: Perfect from the field this year (3-3) in seven appearances … has command of OSU offense … runs practice squad against starters in practice … would rather look to make assists than score in games.
33-Zach Williams: One of the hardest workers on the squad … often draws opponent’s big man … has the ability to score over bigger players … leads starters in field goal percentage (92-154, .597) and rebounding (6.0 rpg.) … only Buckeye with over 100 rebounds (131) … has scored 10 or more points in 13 games this year … reached 400 career points (439/8.3) at OSU with 14 scored against Illinois … averaging over 11 points a game in last five contests.
34-Terence Dials: Has played double figure minutes in 16-of-22 games … shooting over 64 percent from the field this season (53-82) … on pace to set Ohio State freshman record for shooting percentage … still learning the Ohio State offensive and defensive schemes … 44 rebounds in last eight games … career high 13 caroms vs. Louisville (12/15/01) … has been a factor in OSU’s recent success.
43-Will Dudley: Started first four games of the season … double figure minutes in ten games this year … shooting 54 percent (25-46) on the season … 15-of-31 rebounds have come on the offensive end of the floor this year … 97 career games, 9.4 minutes per game at Ohio State … career 56 pct. shooter from the field (126-225) … needs three rebounds to reach 200 for career … 31 career blocks are most on team.
44-Tim Martin: Tied a career-high with seven rebounds against Northwestern … has played in all 22 games with one start this season … 25-of-51 rebounds this year have come on the offensive end of the court … gives Buckeyes added strength in the middle … averages over 11 minutes as a walk-on player for Ohio State.
54-Matt Marinchick: Has played in eight games as a redshirt freshman for Ohio State … connecting on 50 percent of his field goal attempts (4-8) … hit all four foul shots in just one minute of action in home win over Michigan.
Next Up For the Buckeyes
Ohio State will next take on the Indiana Hoosiers Tuedsay at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. The Hoosiers are 8-3 in conference play and 16-8 overall. The Buckeyes won the first meeting between the two teams this year, downing the Hoosiers, 73-67, on Jan. 19 in Columbus.
Senior Class Continues Successful Run
Ohio State seniors Brian Brown, Will Dudley and Boban Savovic have been a part of three of the more successful seasons in Ohio State history. As freshmen, the trio helped the squad reach the 1999 Final Four. As sophomores, they were a part of a Big Ten Championship team and another trip to the NCAA tournament. As juniors, they were instrumental in taking Ohio State to its third-consecutive NCAA tournament appearance and 20-win season. Combined, these seniors have been a part of 87 wins (31 defeats), three NCAA tournaments, three 20-win seasons, the 1999 Final Four and the 2000 Big Ten Co-Championship. Another senior, Tim Martin, did not play for OSU until the 2000-01 season. Martin, a transfer from Kent State, sat out the 1999-00 season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules.
OSU Hoping for a 4th-Consecutive NCAA Trip and 20-Win Season
The Buckeyes have been to 21 NCAA Tournaments in the history of the program, including the past three. No Ohio State coach has ever led four-consecutive teams to the NCAA Tournament. The Buckeyes have made three-consecutive trips four times (1944-46, 1960-62, 1990-92 and 1999-01). Ohio State also has a streak of three-consecutive 20-win seasons. The only time the program enjoyed four-consecutive 20-win campaigns occurred from 1960-63 with 25, 27, 26 and 20 wins, respectively. Ohio State won the national championship in 1960 and won four of five-consecutive Big Ten titles during that span. Jim O’Brien is just three wins away from his fourth-consecutive 20-win season.
