Men’s Basketball Looks To Rebound At Home vs. Wisconsin – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 17, 2003
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Opponent Wisconsin
Site Value City Arena (19,200)
Game Time 8 p.m. (EST)
TV ESPN Plus
Local TV WBNS 10 TV
TV Talent Larry Morgan (P-by-P), Bill Hosket (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)
Ohio State Buckeyes
Probable Starters (8-6, 1-2)
G 4 – Brent Darby, 6-1, Sr.
G 3 – Sean Connolly, 6-5, Sr.
C 14 – Velimir Radinovic, 7-0, Jr.
F 50 – Shun Jenkins, 6-6, Jr.
F 33 – Zach Williams, 6-7, Jr.
Wisconsin Badgers
Probable Starters (11-4, 1-2)
G 20 – Kirk Penney, 6-5, Sr.
G 24 – Freddie Owens, 6-2, Jr.
C 54 – Mike Wilkinson, 6-8, So.
F 42 – Alando Tucker, 6-5, Fr.
F 34 – Devin Harris, 6-3, So.
Buckeyes Aim for 25-Game Advantage vs. Wisconsin
Ohio State has won 79 games in the all-time series against Wisconsin, including six of the last eight games played. Wisconsin owns 55 victories after an overtime win (94-92) in Madison a year ago in the only meeting between the schools. The teams meet just once again this year. The Buckeyes are looking for win number 50 in Columbus. The Buckeyes have won 49 of 66 games played at home. The Badgers are 38-30 in Madison against the Buckeyes. Ohio State has not lost consecutive games to Wisconsin since the 1995 Big Ten season. Darby Top Performer in Games vs. Wisconsin
Senior Brent Darby has scored 53 points in five career games against Wisconsin for a scoring average of 10.6 points per game. Junior Zach Williams has the next best offensive average with 8.0 points a game in three meetings with the Badgers. Williams also is the top returning rebounder for Ohio State against Wisconsin with 5.0 rebounds. Williams has connected on 9-of-13 shots from the floor (.692) to own the best field goal percentage vs. UW and senior Sean Connolly has knocked down 88 percent (7-8) of his foul shots in three game vs. the Badgers.
Badgers 0-3 at Value City Arena
Wisconsin has not won a game in three attempts at Value City Arena. The Badgers lost 63-54 in 1999, 51-48 in 2000 and 63-58 in 2001.
Badgers Off to 1-2 Start in Big Ten
Wisconsin opened the Big Ten Conference season with consecutive road losses to Michigan (66-65) and Illinois (69-63) before a home win over Minnesota (66-50) Wednesday. The Badgers entered conference play with a 10-2 record, losing only to Wake Forest (90-80) and at Marquette (63-54).
Minnesota Falls to Wisconsin in Madison
Wisconsin won its first Big Ten contest Wednesday beating Minnesota 66-50. Kirk Penney paced the Badger victory scoring 22 points. Devin Harris tallied his third career double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. UW improved to 11-4 on the season and 1-2 in conference play. The Badgers held Minnesota to 50 points on 36 percent shooting for the night. The Gophers came into the game as the top scoring team in the Big Ten averaging 80 points per contest. Minnesota dropped to 8-5 on the season and 0-2 in conference play.
Penney Tops Four UW Scorers in Double Figures
Senior Kirk Penney has been the leading scorer in six UW games, including both league contests, to top the Badger roster with an average of 16.7 points a game. Sophomore Devin Harris follows him offensively with 14.9 points a game. Freshman Alando Tucker averages 12.7 points a game with junior Freddie Owens next at 12.7 ppg. All four student-athletes play the guard position for the Badgers. Sophomore forward Mike Wilkinson is the team’s leading rebounder with 6.2 a contest. Penney has recorded a team-high 54 assists while Harris leads the squad with 33 steals.
Ryan in Year Two in Madison
Bo Ryan led the Badgers to a share of the Big Ten regular season title in his first year on the Wisconsin campus with an overall record of 19-13 and a Big Ten mark of 11-5. He is 30-17 in two years at Wisconsin and 413-116 in 18 years as a collegiate head coach.
Darby Reaches 1,000 Points vs. Indiana, Connolly Closing
Senior guard Brent Darby became the 41st player at Ohio State to score 1,000 career points during his 28-point effort against Indiana (1/11). Darby has 1,039 career points and is No. 38 all-time on the Ohio State scoring chart. Sean Connolly has scored 943 career points, which includes 330 while a freshman at Providence. At least one player has reached 1,000 points in each of the last five years at Ohio State. Michael Redd (5th/1,879) and Jason Singleton (40th/1,022) reached 1,000 in 1999 followed by Scoonie Penn (34th/1,076) in 2000, Ken Johnson (36th/1,055) in 2001 and Brian Brown (19th/1,384) in 2002.
Darby, Connolly Among Best 3-Point Shooters in Buckeye History
Sean Connolly has made 110 of 281 (.391) career 3-pointers in three seasons as a Buckeye. He is No. 2 all-time in 3-point shooting percentage among players with more than 200 career attempts. He is No. 8 in made and No. 9 in attempts as well. Senior Brent Darby is No. 4 in 3-point shooting percentage (.385) and is No. 4 in made (130) and No. 5 in attempted (338) 3-pointers.
Value City Arena Serves Buckeyes Well
The Buckeyes are in the fifth season at Value City Arena. Ohio State is 66-10 (.868) in games played on the home floor since the building opened for the start of the 1998-99 campaign.
Salley Added to Buckeye Roster
Nate Salley, a freshman safety on the Ohio State football team, joined the men’s basketball team Jan. 7. Salley took three days off after helping the football team win the national title before donning basketball practice gear and working out with Jim O’Brien’s squad this week. Salley, a 6-foot-3-inch, 195-pound guard, averaged more than 19 points a game as a senior at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He wore the No. 21 on the football field and will do same as a member of the basketball team. On the gridiron, he played in all 14 games, primarily on special teams, recording six total tackles and three solos. He scored on his only shot from the field in Ohio State’s loss at Michigan State Jan. 9.
Darby, Connolly Get Little Pine Time
Senior guards Brent Darby and Sean Connolly have little experience watching game action this season. Connolly averages 38.8 minutes a game. Darby plays 38.0 minutes a contest. Both played the full 45 minutes of action in the overtime loss to Louisville Jan. 4 and then all 40 minutes in the win over Indiana Jan. 11 and vs. Michigan Jan. 15.
Three Buckeyes Playing More than 35 Minutes Per Game
Jim O’Brien has not had three players log more than 35 minutes per game until this season. Seniors Sean Connolly (38.8) and Brent Darby (38.0) along with junior Zach Williams (35.4) all have trouble finding time to rest this season. The Buckeyes have used six different starting lineups because of injuries but Darby, Connolly and Williams remain the anchors of the Buckeye lineup. No Buckeye in O’Brien’s six years has averaged as many minutes as Connolly or Darby since Michael Redd played 37.9 minutes a game as a freshman in 1997-98. Three other players averaged 30 or more minutes that season, but not more than 34 a contest.
Connolly’s Line Time Increases
Sean Connolly did not take a free throw attempt in the first three games of the season. He has since connected on 25 of 30 foul shots for a free throw shooting percentage of .833. He is a career 80 percent shooter from the foul line (155-193), which includes a sub-par junior year in which he shot just 65 percent (28-43).
Darby Leading Ohio State to Team Foul Shooting Mark of 72 percent
Brent Darby has been to the foul line 10 or more times in five games this season. In those games, he has made 51 of 60 free throws (.850). He leads Ohio State in free throws made (83) and attempted (101). As a team, Ohio State has connected on 257 of 351 free throws for a .732 accuracy rating.
Buckeye Success at Foul Line Best Since 1990-91 Season
Ohio State has not shot a better percentage from the free throw line since the 1991-92 season when the Buckeyes connected on 506-702 foul shots for a .721 shooting percentage. Ohio State, after a 16-for-16 effort against Michigan, has made 257-351 (.732) free throws this year. The last time the Buckeyes finished the season above .700 at the foul line was in 1999-00 when the Buckeyes knocked down 443-629 free throws (.704). The Buckeyes are on pace to make over 500 foul shots for the second-consecutive season. The last time an Ohio State team made 500 or more foul shots in back-to-back seasons came in 1990-91 (551-778/.708) and 1991-92 (506-702/.721).
Ohio State vs. the Big Ten Conference
Ohio State has a winning record against the Big Ten Conference overall and has a winning mark all-time against five league members. This is the 91st season Ohio State has been affiliated with the Big Ten Conference. The Buckeyes have won or shared 17 league titles, including the 2001-02 co-championship.
Illinois 59-95 Indiana 68-94 Iowa 63-68 Michigan 82-68 Michigan State 45-55 Minnesota 71-51 Northwestern 101-44 Penn State 13-12 Purdue 70-77 Wisconsin 79-55 Totals 651-619
This Date In History
Ohio State is 14-10 in games played on Jan. 18. Ohio State is just 2-3 in the last five outings on this date. The last win was in 2001 at home against Michigan.
OSU on Jan. 18 1/18/13 W Northwestern 22-20 1/18/16 L Oberlin 20-24 1/18/19 W Oberlin 35-24 1/18/27 W Illinois 29-28 1/18/30 L *@Ashland 27-28 1/18/35 W Iowa 34-26 1/18/37 L @Indiana 36-43 1/18/41 W Duquesne 44-33 1/18/43 W Chicago 47-29 1/18/47 W Northwestern 60-49 1/18/54 L @Indiana 72-94(3) 1/18/58 W Minnesota 95-79 1/18/64 L @Michigan 64-82(3) 1/18/69 W @Michigan 98(13)-85 1/18/75 W @Wisconsin 89-67 1/18/79 W Minnesota 83(16)-80 1/18/81 L Indiana 60-67 1/18/84 W @Michigan 62-60 1/18/86 L &vs Boston College 74-87 1/18/88 W Michigan 70-68(10) 1/18/90 L @Michigan 88-90 1/18/95 L @Minnesota 61-81 1/18/97 L Minnesota 67-73(7) 1/18/01 W Michigan 78-61
Buckeyes Fall to Michigan, 61-50
Michigan won its 10th-consecutive game as freshman Daniel Horton scored four points and had a steal during an 8-0 second-half run in a 61-50 victory over Ohio State. The Wolverines won for the first time at Value City Arena while snapping a seven-game losing streak to Ohio State. Horton hit just 4 of 15 shots from the field but led Michigan with 17 points. LaVell Blanchard added 13 and Bernard Robinson Jr. had 12. Michigan native Brent Darby scored 12 points for the Buckeyes. Shun Jenkins added 12 points and 10 rebounds while Emonte Jernigan had 10 points. Michigan took its first lead since the start when Blanchard swished a 3-pointer from the top of the key at the 15:56 mark to make it 37-36. After Lester Abram stole a pass at the other end, Robinson scored on a breakaway layup. Horton saved an errant pass by diving near the Michigan bench, then as time was running down on the shot clock he hit a 3-pointer for a 45-39 lead. Ohio State scratched back on a Jernigan tip-in, Zach Williams’ baseline move and – after he blocked Robinson’s layup at the other end – a three-point play by Jenkins for a 46-45 lead. But the Wolverines countered with an 8-0 run. First Blanchard hit two foul shots, then Chris Hunter stole the ball from Darby and Blanchard hit a follow at the other end. Ohio State never got closer than five points the rest of the way as Michigan hit six consecutive free throws in the final 1:11.
Noting the Game vs. Michigan
The game against Ohio State and Michigan was game number 150 inthe series. The Buckeyes lead the all-time series against theWolverines, 82-68. Michigan’s win over the Buckeyes was its firstvictory in Value City Arena. Ohio State is 8-2 in Value City Arenathis season and 66-10 (.868) since it opened in 1998. The Buckeyeshave led at halftime in each of their nine home games this seasonand are 7-2 overall when leading at the break. Ohio State went aperfect 16-of-16 from the free-throw line to tie a school recordfor percentage. It also was the highest number of free throws madein such games. The last time the Buckeyes were perfect from thecharity stripe in a game was Feb. 3, 1979 when Ohio State went14-for-14. The 16-16 (1.000) effort also set a VCA record. SeanConnolly has seen 40 or more minutes of action in his last threegames, clocking 45 minutes (Louisville), 40 (Indiana) and 40(Michigan). Darby has also saw significant minutes in his last fourappearances with 45 (Louisville), 38 (Michigan State), 40 (Indiana)and 40 (Michigan). Brent Darby has scored at least 10 points ineight-consecutive game for the Buckeyes. With 12 points against theWolverines, Darby has totaled 1,039 points thus far in his careeras a Buckeye. He is currently 38th on OSU’s career scoring list.Jamie Skelton (1991-94) and Ken Johnson (1998-01) are tied for 36thplace on the list with 1,055 career points. Junior Shun Jenkinsrecorded his first double-double as a Buckeye with 12 points and 10rebounds. He is the third Buckeye to record a double-double thisseason.
Four Non-Conference Foes Among Top 20 Teams in Associated Press Poll
Ohio State is scheduled to play six teams and seven games against teams currently ranked in the Associated Press Top 25. Another four games are on tap against teams receiving votes in either the AP or ESPN/USA Today polls. No. 1/1 Duke, No. 3/3 Pittsburgh, No. 8/8 Illinois, No. 9/10 Alabama, No. 15/18 Louisville and No. 18/17 Indiana all battled the Buckeyes this season. The Hoosiers are the next ranked team on the OSU schedule. Indiana and the Buckeyes play twice in a span of 11 days beginning with the home win last Saturday and ending with a road contest Jan. 21. Ohio State travels to Illinois Feb. 9. Michigan State, Iowa, Minnesota and Purdue received votes for Top 25 consideration this week.
Key Buckeyes Miss 23 Games to Date With Various Injuries
Brandon Fuss-Cheatham (6 games), a sophomore point guard, Shun Jenkins (8), a junior forward, Terence Dials (8), a sophomore center, and senior guard Sean Connolly (1) have missed game action recovering from injuries. Fuss-Cheatham, who started both exhibition contests and then missed the first four regular-season games and the last two contests in Big Ten play, went down with an injury to his left knee in an exhibition game against the Harlem Globetrotters. The injury, a partially torn lateral meniscus, required arthroscopic surgery Nov. 25. Jenkins suffered a broken little finger on his left hand against the Globetrotters. He had surgery Nov. 27 and missed the first eight games of the season. He had the pins removed Dec. 19 and played for the first time as a Buckeye against Tennessee State. Dials has missed the last eight games with a stress fracture in his lumbar spine (level 2). He is expected to miss up to six weeks. He last played against Pittsburgh Dec. 18. Connolly did not play at Michigan State while recovering from a left ankle sprain sustained Jan. 4 against Louisville.
Darby, Connolly Among Big Ten Leaders
Seniors Brent Darby and Sean Connolly are among the Big Ten leaders in several categories. Darby is No. 6 in assists per game (4.43), No. 3 in scoring (18.4 ppg.), No. 7 in steals per game (1.57), No. 7 in 3-point shooting percentage (.416/32-77) and No. 7 in 3-pointers made (2.29 per game). Connolly is No. 8 in 3-pointers made (2.23 pg.) and No. 10 in 3-point shooting percentage (.387/29-75).
Connolly, Darby Reach 100 Career Games Played
Sean Connolly reached 100 games played against Seton Hall. Connolly played a total of 30 games at Providence and has appeared in 76 at Ohio State. Brent Darby has played in 104 games as a Buckeye with 62 career starts.
Buckeyes Prepare for Road Trips after 8 of 9 Games at Value City Arena
After six games in which Ohio State opened the season with a pair of neutral games, one road contest and three home games, the Buckeyes end an 8-of-9 game stretch in Columbus against Wisconsin. Five games, vs. Seton Hall (W 74-51), Radford (W 96-80), Tennessee State (W 94-73), Hampton (W 70-62) and Louisville (L 72-64, ot) were played at home before the Big Ten road opener at Michigan State (Jan. 9). The Buckeyes defeated Indiana (81-69) Jan. 11 and fell to Michigan (61-50) Jan. 15. After the Wisconsin game, the Buckeyes hit the road for six of their next eight games, including a pair of three-game road stretches against Indiana, Iowa and Purdue and then vs. Illinois, Penn State and Michigan.
Opponent Experience Prevalent
The Buckeyes will play a total of 15 regular-season games against teams that participated in postseason competition in 2002. Ten games will be against NCAA tournament teams with the remaining five against National Invitation Tournament participants.
Three Card Monte, LaMonta, Emonte
When Jim O’Brien looks down his bench this season, he’ll have a full compliment of Monte’s with assistant coach LaMonta (la-MON-tay) Stone, Monte (MON-tee) Mathis and junior guard Emonte (e-MON-tee) Jernigan. O’Brien also will have a trio of players, who use the same pronunciation but different spellings of the first name (SHAWN). Seniors Sean Connolly and Shaun Smith along with junior Shun Jenkins all pronounce their names the same.
O’Brien Selected for NCAA Committee
Jim O’Brien will serve as one of four NCAA Division I men’s basketball coaches on the NCAA Basketball Issues Committee. O’Brien will serve for one year. Coaches and administrators on this committee will meet to discuss NCAA Division I men’s basketball issues.
Jernigan Beginning to Make Adjustment to Ohio State
Junior guard Emonte Jernigan knows how to adjust to new challenges as a student-athlete. He began his career as a junior college player before signing to play NCAA Division I basketball with Oregon State. After one season with the Beavers, Jernigan left to attend another junior college for the 2001-02 campaign. He did not play organized basketball last year and will have two seasons of eligibility at Ohio State. His season out of basketball last year allows him to play immediately at Ohio State. He has played in all 14 games with three starts.
Winning Percentage Soars for O’Brien in Last Four Seasons
Jim O’Brien has won more than 71 percent of the games he’s coached at Ohio State after an 8-22 record in his first season with the Buckeyes. O’Brien is 101-41 (.711) in the 142 games following the 1997-98 campaign, his first in Columbus. The Buckeyes have won 20 or more games and advanced to the NCAA tournament in each of the last four seasons, while finishing in the Top 3 in the Big Ten regular season race all four years, winning a pair of Big Ten regular season titles (2000 and 2002) and a claiming one Big Ten tournament crown (2002).
Buckeyes Fare Well vs. the Ranked at Value City Arena
No. 15 Indiana (W, 81-69) was the 15th opponent to visit Value City Arena with an AP national ranking since the facility opened in 1998. Ohio State has won 12 of 15 previous games against ranked foes at home under head coach Jim O’Brien at Value City Arena. The Buckeyes were 4-1 in 1998-99, 1-0 in 1999-00, 3-1 in 2000-01 and 3-0 in 2001-02 against ranked teams at home. No. 9 Kansas (2000), No. 12 Iowa (1999) and No. 24 Louisville (2003) are the only ranked teams to claim victory at VCA.
Fans Boost Buckeye Record in Sellouts
Value City Arena has been sold out for 25 games in the last five years since the building opened in 1998. The Buckeyes have won 21 of those games for a winning percentage of .840 when the VCA is sold out. Iowa, Kansas, Indiana and Michigan State are the only teams to overcome the home crowd and the Buckeyes in sold out games at VCA. Jim O’Brien led Ohio State to a 1-0 record in 1998-99, a 11-1 mark in 1999-00, a 3-2 effort in 2000-01 and a 5-1 record in 2001-02 in sold out games at VCA. Ohio State is 1-0 this season.
Buckeyes Play 104th Hoops Season, 91st in Big Ten Conference
Ohio State has a record of 82-22 (.788) in season-opening games over the 104 years of men’s basketball at OSU. The Buckeyes are 86-18 (.827) in home openers and 49-54 (.476) in road/neutral openers. Ohio State did not play a road game in 1900-01. This is the 91st season of Big Ten membership in men’s basketball for the Buckeyes. Ohio State is 50-41 (.549) in conference openers, 62-29 (.681) in league home openers and 34-57 (.374) in the first road game of the season in Big Ten play.
Ohio State vs. Ranked Opponents
The Buckeyes are 126-198 all-time against opponents ranked in the Associated Press Top 25. In the last five years, Ohio State has won 22 of 40 (.550) games against ranked foes.
