Post Game Notes From Ohio State vs. Illinois – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/9/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 9, 2002%^$
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Ohio State head coach Jim O’Brien won his 100th career game atOhio State Saturday against Illinois (94-88) in the semifinals ofthe 2002 Big Ten Tournament. O’Brien is 100-56 in his five-yearcareer with the Buckeyes with a 22-7 record this season. O’Brien is335-273 in his 20-year coaching career. He will take his 11th teamto postseason play this year, his seventh to the NCAA tournament.The Buckeyes will set an Ohio State record with itsfourth-consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament this season.%^$
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Ohio State is looking to win three games in three consecutivedays for the first time since downing Alabama-Birmingham, NorthCarolina State and Mississippi from Dec. 21-23, 1999 to claim theSan Juan Shootout.%^$
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The Buckeyes have won three-consecutive games against Illinoisand four of the last five.%^$
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The Buckeyes advance to the championship game of the Big Tentournament for the first time in the five-year history of theevent. The Buckeyes are 3-4 all time in the event.%^$
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Four of the five Ohio State starters reached double figures inscoring against the Illini. Senior Brian Brown scored a career-high27 points. He connected on 6-of-12 shots from the field, includinga 3-of-5 effort from 3-point range. After missing his first foulshot of the game, he then knocked down 12-consecutive free throwsto set a career high for made foul shots in a game.%^$
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Brent Darby reached the 20-point mark for the fifth time thisseason with 23 against the Illini. He made 8-of-12 shots from thefield, including a 2-of-4 3-points and 5-of-7 free throws.%^$
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This season, Ohio State is 19-3 when leading at the half, 20-1when leading with 5:00 remaining in the game, 18-3 whenoutrebounding its opponent, 18-2 when shooting a higher percentagevs. its opponent, and 18-4 when scoring 70 or more points.%^$
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Ohio State is 18-12 vs. Illinois when the Buckeyes are rankedamong the Top 25 in the Associate Press Poll, including bothmeetings this season.%^$
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Individually, sophomore Zach Williams set an OSU record with 13total rebounds and nine defensive caroms in a Big Ten tournamentgame…the 13 rebounds also were a career high for Williams…BrianBrown’s three made 3-pointers tied an OSU Big Ten tournamentrecord…his 12 made and 13 attempted free throws were OSUtournament records.%^$
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As a team, the 56.6 (30-53) shooting percentage, 30 (tie) madefield goals and 27 (tie) made free throws, set a OSU Big Tentournament records.%^$
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The Buckeyes improved to 4-1 on the year against rankedopponents. Wins were over No. 9 Iowa (72-62, Jan. 5), No. 25Indiana (73-67, Jan. 19), No. 12 Illinois (78-67, Jan. 29) and No.10 Illinois (94-88, March 9). The loss was to No. 23 Indiana(63-57, Feb. 20).%^$
