Men’s Basketball Set To Face Iowa in Round One of The Big Ten Tournament – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/11/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 11, 2003
Opponent Iowa
Site United Center, Chicago (21,600)
Game Time Noon (EST)
TV ESPN
Local TV None
TV Talent Dave Barnett (P-by-P), Tim McCormick (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 (14-13, 7-9)
G 4 – Brent Darby, 6-1, Sr.
G 3 – Sean Connolly, 6-5, Sr.
G 40 – Matt Sylvester, 6-7, So.
C 14 – Velimir Radinovic, 7-0, Jr.
F 33 – Zach Williams, 6-7, Jr.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Probable Starters (15-12, 7-9)
G 2 – Jeff Horner, 6-3, Fr.
G 1 – Chauncey Leslie, 6-0, Sr.
C 5 – Jared Reiner, 6-11, Jr.
F 44 – Greg Brunner, 6-7, Fr.
F 4 – Glen Worley, 6-7, Jr.
Ohio State at the Big Ten Tournament
In five previous appearances in the Big Ten tournament, the Buckeyes have a record of 4-4 after winning three games and the postseason tournament crown in 2002. Ohio State lost to Indiana 78-71 in the first tournament game played by the Buckeyes in 1998 (3/5). A year to the day later in 1999, Ohio State defeated Michigan 87-69 for the first Buckeye win in league tournament play. Illinois then ousted Ohio State 79-71 (3/6/99). The Buckeyes then fell in quarterfinal action to Penn State (71-66, 3/10/00) and Iowa (75-66, 3/9/01). After four years of playing at the United Center in Chicago, where the Buckeyes were 1-4 overall, the tournament moved to Conseco Field House for the 2002 league tournament. The Buckeyes won the 2002 event with wins over Michigan, Illinois and Iowa. This will be the second-consecutive season the Buckeyes and Hawkeyes will play three times during the same year. Ohio State is 4-1 against Iowa the last two years.
The Ohio State, Iowa Matchup
Ohio State and Iowa have played 133 times in the all-time series with the Buckeyes claiming victory in 64 games. Iowa is 43-22 in Iowa City, though the Buckeyes have won the last four away from home. Ohio State has a record of 40-25 in Columbus. The Hawkeyes own the best record of Big Ten teams against Ohio State at Value City Arena with a 3-1 record over the last five years. The Buckeyes are 2-1 in neutral-site games, which includes a 1-1 record in league tournament play. The other neutral game was played March 12, 1968. That game was contested in West Lafayette, Ind. The Big Ten playoff game sent the Buckeyes to the 1968 NCAA Tournament and eventually the Final Four, after an 85-81 victory over the Hawkeyes.
Ohio State 5-9 vs. the Big Ten in Neutral Games
Ohio State and five other Big Ten Conference members have met 14 times over the years at neutral sites. The Buckeyes are 1-1 against Illinois, 0-4 vs. Indiana, 2-1 over Iowa and Michigan and 0-2 against Penn State. Eight of the games have been played in Big Ten tournament play, where the Buckeyes have an overall record of 4-4 after three wins during the 2002 event in Indianapolis, Ind.
Darby Close to Ohio State 500 Club
With 490 points this season, senior guard Brent Darby needs 10 points to become just the 22nd Buckeye to score 500 or more points in a season. Brian Brown (520) is the last to do so (2001-02).
Darby, Connolly Complete Home Careers
Ohio State senior guards Sean Connolly and Brent Darby played their last games in Value City Arena against Michigan State March 8. Both players reached 1,000 career points this season and both will finish among the Top 10 in 3-point shooting at Ohio State. Darby will finish among the Top 25 players in all-time scoring at Ohio State.
Hawkeyes Start Postsesason 15-12
Iowa finished the regular season with a 15-12 overall record and a 7-9 mark in the Big Ten after a 77-61 win over Northwestern in the regular season finale. The Hawkeyes split with Ohio State during the regular season. Each team won on the opponent’s court. The Buckeyes won its fourth-consecutive game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena Jan. 25 (83-72) giving Ohio State senior Brent Darby a perfect 4-0 record at Iowa during his career. The Hawkeyes then earned its third win at Value City Arena, the most of any team, Feb. 25 (71-64).
Iowa Downs Northwestern
Using a strong second-half performance and dominant inside play, the Iowa men’s basketball team cooled off a red-hot Northwestern squad and rally from a 16-point deficit to take a 77-61 victory in the regular season finale for both schools. Chauncey Leslie finished his last regular season home game in style, helping the Hawkeyes post a come-from-behind triumph.
Leslie Tops Hawkeyes Offensively
The Hawkeyes are led by senior guard Chauncey Leslie’s 15.6 points per game. He is one of three Hawkeyes to average in double figures offensively. Junior forward Glen Worley averages 11.5 ppg. Junior center Jared Reiner scores 10.1 ppg. and is the team’s leading rebounder with 8.5 boards per game.
Alford In Fourth Year at Iowa
Iowa head coach Steve Alford is in his fourth season in Iowa City and his 12th as a collegiate head coach. At Iowa, he has an overall record of 71-56, which includes a 15-12 mark this season.
Darby Top Scorer vs. Hawkeyes
Senior Brent Darby averages 14.3 points a game when facing Iowa. In eight career meetings, Darby has scored 114 points in 28.0 minutes a game. Junior Shun Jenkins leads with 7.0 rebounds against the Hawkeyes. Sean Connolly averages 10.0 points vs. Iowa and has made 89 percent of his foul shots (16-18) against the Hawkeyes.
O’Brien Wins No. 350
Ohio State head coach Jim O’Brien has won 116 games in Columbus with the Buckeyes in six seasons. His career total of 351 wins includes 67 victories at St. Bonaventure and 168 victories at Boston College. O’Brien has averaged 19.3 wins a season at Ohio State, which includes an 8-22 record his first season in Columbus and a school-record four-consecutive 20-win seasons heading into the 2002-03 campaign.
Early Leads Help Buckeyes
Ohio State has used early and late leads to its advantage this season. The Buckeyes are 11-3 in games when leading at the half. Ohio State also has been successful holding leads late in games. When leading with five minutes left in the second half, Ohio State is 14-0 on the year.
Connolly Reaches 1,000 Career Points with 13 at Penn State
Ohio State senior Sean Connolly needed 10 points to reach 1,000 for his collegiate career entering the game at Penn State. His third 3-pointer of the game at the 10:13 mark of the second half put him over the 1,000-point plateau. He finished with 13 points against the Nittany Lions. Connolly scored 330 points as a freshman at Providence College before making the move to Ohio State. In three seasons as a Buckeye he has scored 717 points to give him a career total of 1,047 heading into the game against Iowa.
Dials Will Not Return in 2002-03
Ohio State sophomore center Terence Dials will not return to the Ohio State lineup in 2002-03, Jim O’Brien, Ohio State head coach announced Feb. 11. Dials, who has not played since Dec. 18 at Pittsburgh, was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lumbar spine (level 2) in late December. He played in six games before the injury and will be eligible for a medical redshirt, giving him three remaining years of eligibility beginning in 2003-04.
Radinovic Misses Gopher/Illinois Games
Junior center Velimir Radinovic missed games against Minnesota Feb. 5 and Illinois Feb. 9 with an injury to the little finger on his left hand. Radinovic watched the Ohio State win over the Golden Gophers from a hospital room, where he spent two nights as a precaution while receiving intravenous antibiotics. The injury occurred Feb. 4 during practice when an interior pass caused a compound dislocation near the tip of the left little finger. Because the small bone at the tip of the finger broke the skin and was exposed, Radinovic needed the extended hospital stay to avoid infection. He recorded his second double-double of his career with a 14-point, 12-rebound effort at Northwestern March 3.
Buckeyes Begin Big Ten Tournament Following Loss to Spartans
Chris Hill scored 20 points and Michigan State shot 63 percent from the field to beat Ohio State. Paul Davis added 12 points and Kelvin Torbert and Adam Ballinger each had 11 for the Spartans. The Buckeyes’ Brent Darby made 10-of-11 free throws and had 20 points in his final home game, with Zach Williams adding 13 and Velimir Radinovic 10.
Noting the Game Against Michigan State
Senior Brent Darby is No. 22 all-time in career scoring at OhioState with 1,272 career points. Clark Kellogg is 21st with 1,285points. Darby is No. 3 all-time in 3-pointers made. He hasconnected on 145 career treys, two behind No. 2 Neshaun Coleman(147) and eight behind No. 1 Scoonie Penn (153). Senior SeanConnolly is ninth all time in single-season 3-pointers made with 48made each this year. Darby is 10th with 47 made this season. Darbyalso is No. 6 in single season foul shots made (175) and No. 7 insingle-season foul shots attempted (218). Darby extended hisscoring streak with 10 or more points to 21 games, the longeststretch of games in his career in double digits, and in 25 of 27contests this year. Brent Darby has been to the foul line 10 ormore times in 10 games this season. Michigan State becomes only thesecond team to record multiple victories at Value City Arena. TheSpartans won 76-71 Jan. 27, 1999. Iowa is the other team with arecord of 3-1. The game vs. the Spartans marked the last home gamefor Darby and Connolly as well as senior manager Chris Penny. Allthree were honored during pregame ceremonies.
Darby Among Big Ten Leaders
Senior Brent Darby is third in scoring among Big Ten players with 18.3 points per game behind Illinois’ Brian Cook (20.1) and Purdue’s Willie Dean (18.3). Darby also is No. 6 in assists (4.37 apg.) and No. 5 (tie) in steals (1.67 spg.).
Darby’s Scoring Average Highest Since 1999 Season
Brent Darby’s 18.1 points per game this season are the most by an Ohio State player since 1999 when Michael Redd averaged 19.1 points a game. Darby’s average this season is the third highest single season average since Jim Jackson averaged 22.4 points as a junior in 1991. Redd led all Big Ten scorers as a freshman with 21.9 points a game in 1998.
Darby Moves Up Scoring Chart
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 1,272 career points and is No. 22 all-time on the Ohio State scoring chart. Clark Kellogg is No. 21 with 1,285 career points from 1980-82. Sean Connolly has scored 1,047 career points, which includes 330 as 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 (35th/1,076) in 2000, Ken Johnson (37th/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 129 of 336 (.384) career 3-pointers in three seasons as a Buckeye. He is No. 3 all-time in 3-point shooting percentage among players with more than 200 career attempts. He is No. 5 in 3-pointers made and No. 6 (tie) in attempts as well. Senior Brent Darby is No. 7 in 3-point shooting percentage (.363) and is No. 3 in made (145) and No. 4 in attempted (396) 3-pointers.
Darby, Connolly Get Little Pine Time
Senior guards Brent Darby and Sean Connolly rate No. 1 and 2 respectively in average minutes played per game among Big Ten players this season. Darby averages a team-high 37.9 minutes a game. Connolly plays 35.8 minutes a contest. Darby has played 40 or more minutes in 11 games. Connolly has not come out of five games and has played 39 in two others. He played a season-low 18 minutes against Minnesota Feb. 5.
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 10 games this season. He leads Ohio State in free throws made (175) and attempted (218). As a team, Ohio State has connected on 464 of 656 free throws for a .707 accuracy rating.
Darby Entering Several Foul Shooting Top 10 Lists
Senior Brent Darby has made 175 free throws this season. He rates No. 6 in single season foul shots made at Ohio State. Gary Bradds connected on 183 in 1964 to rank No. 5. Dennis Hopson is the single season record holder with 215 made foul shots in 1987. Darby reached the Top 10 in career free throws made (365) with 10 made foul shots vs. Michigan State March 8. He is currently No. 9 behind Troy Taylor (1982-85) with 383. Jerry Lucas is the career leader with 438 made over three seasons (1960-62). Hopson is second with 437 (1984-87). Darby’s 218 free throws attempted puts him at No. 7. Michael Redd is No. 6 with 220 from 1998-2000.
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.
Ohio State vs. The Big Ten Illinois 59-96 Indiana 68-95 Iowa 64-69 Michigan 82-69 Michigan State 45-56 Minnesota 72-51 Northwestern 103-44 Penn State 14-12 Purdue 71-78 Wisconsin 79-56 Totals 657-626
This Date In History
Ohio State is 5-3 in games played on March 13. Ohio State’s last game on this date was in 1999 defeated Detroit 75-44 in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
OSU on March 13 3/13/09 W @Oberlin 35-25 3/13/12 L @Ohio Wesleyan 15-33 3/13/15 W Oberlin 26-15 3/13/20 W Michigan 34-20 3/13/80 L vs UCLA 68-72 3/13/87 W vs Kentucky 91-77 3/13/94 L @Iowa 74-83 3/13/99 W vs. Detroit 75-44
Key Buckeyes Miss 43 Games to Date With Various Injuries
Brandon Fuss-Cheatham (10 games), a sophomore point guard, Shun Jenkins (8), a junior forward, Terence Dials (21), a sophomore center, senior guard Sean Connolly (2) and junior center Velimir Radinovic (2) all have missed game action recovering from injuries. Fuss-Cheatham, who started both exhibition contests and then missed the first four regular-season games and 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 14 games with a stress fracture in his lumbar spine (level 2). He is out indefinitely. He last played against Pittsburgh Dec. 18. Connolly did not play at Michigan State or at Illinois while recovering from a left ankle sprains sustained Jan. 4 against Louisville and Feb. 1 vs. Northwestern. Radinovic suffered a compound dislocation to his left little finger Feb. 4 and missed the Minnesota game Feb. 5 and the Illinois game Feb. 9.
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 88 at Ohio State. Brent Darby has played in 117 games as a Buckeye with 75 career starts.
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 has 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.
Winning Percentage Soars for O’Brien in Last Four Seasons
Jim O’Brien has won nearly 70 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 108-48 (.692) in the 156 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, finished in the Top 3 in the Big Ten regular season race all four years and won a pair of Big Ten regular season titles (2000 and 2002) and one Big Ten tournament crown (2002).
