Men’s Basketball Heads To Bloomington For a Big Ten Showdown – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 19, 2002
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Date Feb. 20, 2002
Opponent Indiana
Site Assembly Hall (17,484)
Game Time 7:03 p.m. (EST)
TV ESPN Plus
Local TV WBNS 10 TV
TV Talent Mike Gleason (Play-by-Play), John Laskowski (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. 18 Ohio State Buckeyes
Probable Starters (18-5, 9-3)
G 4 – Brent Darby, 6-1, Jr. (13.3)
G 21 – Boban Savovic, 6-5, Sr. (11.5)
G 13 – Brian Brown, 6-4, Sr. (14.7)
C 14 – Velimir Radinovic, 7-0, So. (3.6)
F 33 – Zach Williams, 6-7, So. (10.3)
No. 23 Indiana Hoosiers
Probable Starters (17-8, 9-3)
G 3 – Tom Coverdale, 6-2, Jr. (12.4)
G 11 – Dane Fife, 6-4, Sr. (9.2)
G 32 – Kyle Hornsby, 6-5, Jr. (7.4)
F 1 – Jared Jeffries, 6-10, So. (16.2)
F 43 – Jarrad Odle, 6-8, Sr. (9.1)
Ohio State Concludes Four-Game Road Trip
Ohio State plays at Indiana on Wednesday in a showdown of Big Ten co-leaders. It is the conclusion of a four-game road swing for the Buckeyes, who snapped a two-game losing streak Saturday with a 72-66 win at Iowa. Prior to the Iowa game, Ohio State had dropped consecutive road games at Wisconsin (94-92 OT) and at Michigan State (67-64). Both the Buckeyes and the Hoosiers enter Wednesday’s game with identical 9-3 marks in Big Ten play. Ohio State is 18-5 for all games, while Indiana, a 75-55 winner at Michigan on Sunday, is 17-8 on the year. This will be the second meeting of the year between Ohio State and Indiana. The Buckeyes scored a 73-67 win over the Hoosiers on Jan. 19 in Value City Arena. Indiana was ranked 25th at the time. 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. Buckeyes Seeking 17th Big Ten Title
Ohio State is seeking its 17th Big Ten basketball title. The Buckeyes have won 10 outright crowns and shared six others. Ohio State’s last championship came in 1999-2000, when the Buckeyes shared the title with Michigan State. Ohio State’s last outright crown was in 1992. The last time the Ohio State started 9-3 in conference play was during the 1999-00 Big Ten championship season when the Buckeyes finished 13-3 in conference play.
Four Games Remaining on Regular-Season Schedule
The 16-game Big Ten regular-season card is speeding by. Following their game at Indiana, the Buckeyes return home to face Purdue (Feb. 23) and Michigan State (Feb. 26) and then close out the regular-season campaign at Michigan (Mar. 2 or 3 depending on TV). The Hoosiers also have four games remaining. Following OSU, they travel to Michigan State (Feb. 24) and Illinois (Feb 26/27 TV) and then host Northwestern (March 2).
O’Brien on the Buckeyes
“All these games matter a lot. The win at Iowa was very important. You never want to go into an extended losing streak, especially when your next game is at Indiana – maybe the best team in the league. We have four games to go and it is in our hands. That is all you can ask for.”
Savovic, Darby, Brown and Connolly Pace Buckeyes at Iowa
Ohio State guards Boban Savovic, Brian Brown, Brent Darby and Sean Connolly combined for 52 of the Buckeyes’ 72 points in the win at Iowa. Savovic paced the Buckeyes with 15 points, followed by Brown (14), Darby (13) and Connolly (10 off the bench). Center Velimir Radinovic added seven points, all in the second half, and Zach Williams and Tim Martin both excelled at the defensive end of the floor in helping the Buckeyes to a season sweep of the host Hawkeyes.
Darby “toughed it out” against the Hawkeyes, playing with back spasms, but still making all eight of his free throw attempts, including two pressure tosses that widened Ohio State’s lead to six with 31 seconds left in the game. His effort earned the admiration of his coach.
“Our goal all week was just to get him ready to play,” said Jim O’Brien. “You really have to admire his effort, because he was in a lot of pain.”
Darby has scored 94 points in the last five games (18.8). Included in those totals are a then-career high 22 points, including 16 of 18 from the foul line, in a win over No. 12 Illinois on Jan. 29 and 26 points, including 11 of the last 12, in a win over Northwestern on Feb. 2. Against Wisconsin and Michigan State, Darby again led OSU in scoring, tallying 22 and 14 points, respectively, in those two games.
Brown, who has led the team in scoring 10 times this season (five times in Big Ten play) is averaging a team-high 15.3 points in Big Ten play, including a career-high 26 points in the win over Indiana earlier this year (Jan. 19). He has scored in double figures in 21 of OSU’s 23 games this season and is now 25th among OSU career scoring leaders with 1,201 points. Brown now trails Luke Witte (1971-73) by 10 points for the No. 24 spot on OSU’s all-time scoring list.
Ohio State Back in Both Polls
For the fifth consecutive week, Ohio State is ranked in the Top 25 in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches polls. The Buckeyes are 18th in the latest ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll and 19th in the Associated Press poll.
Ohio State in RPI Top 20
With an 12-3 record in its last 15 games, and an overall record of 18-5, 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.
Dials on Pace to Set OSU Freshman Record
Ohio State freshman Terence Dials is shooting 64.7 percent (55-85) from the field in 23 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.
Williams, Brown Among Big Ten Marksmanship Leaders
Sophomore forward Zach Williams is third in the Big Ten in field goal percentage with a mark of .595 in 23 games. Senior guard Brian Brown is 15th with a .476 figure, also in 23 games. Freshman Terence Dials does not have enough makes (3.0 per game) to qualify.
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).
A Look At The Hoosiers
Indiana is 8-1 at home this year, the lone loss a 64-63 shocker at the hands of Wisconsin this past Wednesday. Following that setback, the Hoosiers roughed up Michigan, 75-55, on Sunday in Ann Arbor. Sophomore forward Jared Jeffries leads the Hoosiers in scoring with a 16.3 average for all games and a 17.1 figure in league play. He is third in the Big Ten in overall scoring and second in conference games only. Jeffries sat out the Wisconsin game with an ankle sprain, but did see action against Michigan. Junior guard Tom Coverdale took up the slack against Wisconsin with 17 points, one of four Hoosiers in double figures. Klye Hornsby and Jarrad Odle each tallied 17 to pace the Hoosiers at Michigan. Jeffries also leads IU in rebounding with 7.8 caroms per game. He is second in the Big Ten in that category. As a team, the Hoosiers are averaging 71.6 points a game and giving up 62.2. They are second in the Big Ten in scoring margin (+9.5), behind Ohio State (+11.1). They also lead the league in 3-point field goal percentage (.414) and blocked shots (5.88).
The Buckeyes vs. Indiana
Senior Brian Brown leads the Buckeyes with a 10.4 points per game scoring average against Indiana in five career games. He is followed closely by junior Brent Darby, who is averaging 8.3 ppg in three career games against the Hoosiers. Sophomore Zach Williams averages 8.5 in two games and junior Sean Connolly averages 6.0 ppg in three meetings. Freshman Terence Dials scored 10 points in his first game against the Hoosiers earlier this year. Sophomore Zach Williams leads the Buckeyes on the boards against Indiana, pulling down 6.5 rebounds a game in his two games.
Series Information
Indiana leads the overall series by a count of 93-67, which includes a 56-21 edge in Bloomington. Ohio State’s victory earlier this year was the fourth in the last five meetings with the Hoosiers, including a pair of wins in Bloomington (69-67 in 1999 and 82-71 in 2000) in that stretch. The two teams played just one time last year, Indiana downing the host Buckeyes, 70-67, in Columbus. In the first game this year, Brian Brown scored a career-high 26 points and freshman Terence Dials came off the bench to score 10 straight second-half points down the stretch to pace the Buckeyes to their fifth conference win in as many tries. Brown had a brilliant outing, canning 10 of 13 shots, making five of six free throws, grabbing six rebounds, handing out three assists and pilfering a pair of steals. Jared Jeffries led the Hoosiers with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Jarrad Odle added 16 points and Tom Coverdale 12 for the Hoosiers who fell to 4-1in league play.
Indiana Coach Mike Davis
Mike Davis is in his second year as the year coach at Indiana. His record with the Hoosiers is 38-21 (21-13 last year, 17-8 this season) for all games and 19-9 in Big Ten games. Davis, a 1995 graduate of Thomas Edison, was an assistant at Indiana under Bob Knight before succeeding Knight prior the 2001 season.
Brown Moves Up Point Ladder
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 score 1,000 points. He has scored 1,201 points in 120 career games for an average of 10 points a contest. He netted 14 points at Iowa on Saturday and currently owns the No. 25 spot on the all-time career scoring list at Ohio State. He trails No. 24 Luke White (1971-73) by 10 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 Raining Threes
Boban Savovic is eighth on the Top 10 list for career 3-pointers made at OSU with 106. He has connected on 41-of-101 triples this season for a shooting percentage of .406. 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 all alone in eighth place in career treys at OSU with 90. He has made 17-of-57 on the season, including one of three at Iowa. Brent Darby, meanwhile, has made 29 of 80 three-pointers this year and now has 85 for his career (228 shots). He is 11th in OSU annals, five behind Stringer. Sean Connolly has made 133-of-339 career 3-pointers, which includes a 64-of-165 (.386) long-range shooting effort as a freshman at Providence. At Ohio State, Connolly has connected on 69-of-174 treys (.397).
Buckeyes Limit Foes’ Long-Range Shooting
Fourteen of the 23 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 339 assists, including 4 at Iowa. Jim Jackson (1990-92) is seventh all-time with 372.
Noting the Game at Iowa
The Buckeyes are now 4-4 on the road for all games and 3-3 awayfrom home in league play. Boban Savovic led the team in scoringwith 15 points, the sixth time this year that he has paced theBuckeyes in points. Zach Williams led OSU in rebounds with 5, the12th time this year he has led the team. Ohio State trailed 39-35at the half. The Buckeyes are now 3-3 when trailing at the half.The Buckeyes have had four players in double figures in each of thepast four games and 10 times this year. After giving up 14 fieldgoals in the first half, OSU held the Hawkeyes to just eight fieldgoals after intermission, five of which were treys. The Buckeyeshave won their last three games in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tim Martinlogged 18 minutes against the Hawkeyes, his season high in Big Tenplay this year.
Brown Tops Four in Double Figures
Senior Brian Brown continues to lead team lead in scoring following his 14-point effort at Iowa. In 23 games, Brown is averaging 14.7 points per game, followed by Brent Darby with 13.3 ppg. Boban Savovic is next with 11.5 ppg., followed by sophomore Zach Williams (10.3).
Ohio State Tops Big Ten in Several Areas
Ohio State ranks at, or near, the top of several Big Ten statistical categories. The Buckeyes lead in scoring margin (+11.1 ppg.), field goal percentage (.487) and rebounding defense (28.7). They are second in scoring defense (62.0) and 3-point field goal percentage defense (.299). Ohio State also is third in rebound margin (6.0) and turnover margin (+1.57) and fourth in assists (15.17).
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 22 games … just two turnovers in last seven contests with nine assists … averages just under 10 minutes a game off the bench this season for the Buckeyes.
3 – Sean Connolly: Contributes nearly 20 minutes off the bench … has made 11 – of – 24 (.458) 3 – point attempts in last five contests … six double figure games this season with season – high 17 in loss at Minnesota…has been charged with just 6 turnovers in last eight games…has 38 assists and 12 steals this year … big steal late at Iowa … career 80 percent shooter from the foul line (122 – 152).
4 – Brent Darby: Averaging 18 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 …32 minutes at Iowa, despite painful back … team leader from the foul line (98 – 122, .803) … in last 7 games has connected on 14 – of – 30 3 – pointers (.466) … career 77 pct. shooter from the foul line (171 – 219) … 85 career 3 – pointers … 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 89 – consecutive starts for the Buckeyes … only current Buckeye with over 300 assists (339) and 100 steals (116) … shooting 47 percent from the field this season… has been in double digits in last 18 games and in 21 – of – 23 games this season … 9th place all – time among OSU 3 – point leaders with 90.
14 – Velimir Radinovic: Has started the past 19 games … double figure minutes in 18 – of – 23 games … shooting 53 percent from the field (32 – 60) … second on the team with 12 blocks … season high 10 points in home loss to Pittsburgh (12/19/01) … seven rebounds at Michigan State … seven second – half points at Iowa.
21 – Boban Savovic: Played 100th game and made 50th start as a Buckeye vs. Illinois … leads team from 3 – point range (41 – 101, .406) … tops Buckeyes in assists from the No. 3 guard spot with 91 … has recorded five or more assists in 11 games this season … tops in steals with 33 and 101 for his career … strong, quick hands … fine defender and solid all – around performer. 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 (94 – 158, .595) and rebounding (5.9 rpg.) … only Buckeye with over 100 rebounds (136) … 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 10 points a game in last six contests.
34 – Terence Dials: Has played double figure minutes in 17 – of – 23 games … shooting over 64 percent from the field this season (55 – 85) … on pace to set Ohio State freshman record for shooting percentage … still learning the Ohio State offensive and defensive schemes … 45 rebounds in last nine 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 53 percent (25 – 47) on the season … 15 – of – 31 rebounds have come on the offensive end of the floor this year … 98 career games at Ohio State … career 56 pct. shooter from the field (126 – 226) … 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 23 games with one start this season (Northwestern, Jan. 12) … 25 – of – 54 rebounds this year have come on the offensive end of the court … gives Buckeyes added strength in the middle … defensive presence at Iowa was a key factor in OSU win … Big Ten season – high 18 minutes vs. the Hawkeyes.
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 returns home Saturday to play Purdue. Starting time is 8 p.m. It will be the Buckeyes’ first home appearance since Feb. 2 (vs. Northwestern).
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 89 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 two wins away from his fourth – consecutive 20 – win season.
