Men’s Basketball Faces Georgia Tech in Opening Round of NIT – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 18, 2003
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Date March 19, 2003
Opponent Georgia Tech
Site Alexander Memorial Col. (9,191)
Game Time 7 p.m. (EST)
TV ESPN2
Local TV None
TV Talent Dave Barnett (P-by-P), Larry Conley (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 (17-14)
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 50 – Shun Jenkins, 6-6, Jr.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Probable Starters (14-14)
G 1 – B.J. Elder, 6-4, So.
G 24 – Marvin Lewis, 6-4, Jr.
G 3 – Jarrett Jack, 6-3, Fr.
C 12 – Luke Schenscher, 7-1, So.
F 4 – Chris Bosh, 6-10, Fr.
Buckeyes Own 10-1 Record vs. Georgia Tech in All Time Series
Ohio State has a record of 10-1 against Georgia Tech since the series began in 1960. The Buckeyes are 3-1 in Atlanta, 5-0 in Columbus and 2-0 on neutral courts against the Yellow Jackets. Ohio State has won the last eight games in the series, including a 65-61 win in the second round of the 1991 NCAA Tournament in Dayton, Ohio. Georgia Tech earned its win in 1967, an 84-73 victory in Atlanta.
OSU vs. Georgia Tech 3/12/60 W *vs Georgia Tech 86(3)-69(13) 1/2/65 W Georgia Tech 73-68 1/16/67 L @Georgia Tech 73-84 1/22/68 W Georgia Tech 66-55 1/20/69 W @ Georgia Tech 73(13)-66 1/26/70 W Georgia Tech 74-71 12/1/71 W @Georgia Tech 63(5)-55 1/15/73 W @Georgia Tech 85-79 1/7/74 W Georgia Tech 89-71 12/23/74 W Georgia Tech 75-66 3/17/91 W *vs Georgia Tech 65(5)-61
Ohio State is 32-15 vs. the ACC
The Buckeyes are 32-15 all-time against the current alignment of the Atlantic Coach Conference. Ohio State played Duke, then ranked No. 4 nationally, earlier this season in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Ohio State has played every ACC team accept Clemson.
OSU vs. the ACC Clemson 0-0 Duke 2-2 Florida State 4-0 Georgia Tech 10-1 Maryland 3-2 North Carolina 2-7 North Carolina State 2-1 Virginia 3-1 Wake Forest 6-0 Totals 32-15
Ohio State NIT History
Ohio State has played in six NIT events (1979, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1993). The Buckeyes are 13-6 all-time in the tournament with a championship in 1986 and a runner up finish in 1988.
This Date in History
Ohio State is 2-2 in games played on March 19. The last game on this date was a 75-62 loss to Miami in the 2000 NCAA Tournament. The last win was an 83-56 victory over Mississippi Valley State in 1992.
OSU on March 19 3/19/60 W **vs California 75(3)-55(2) 3/19/79 L ##vs Indiana 55-64 3/19/92 W *vs Miss. Valley St. 83(5)-56 3/19/00 L (2) vs. Miami, Fla. 62(8)-75(23)
Connolly Only Buckeye with NIT Experience
Senior Sean Connolly played his freshman season at Providence College. The Friars lost at N.C. State in 1999 in the opening round of the NIT. Connolly scored 24 points, connecting on 5 of 10 3-pointers. He also recorded five steals in 32 minutes.
O’Brien Suspends Williams for NIT
Jim O’Brien, Ohio State head coach, suspended junior forward Zach Williams for the duration of the 2003 National Invitation Tournament for conduct detrimental to the team displayed during Ohio State’s game against Illinois in the championship contest of the 2003 Big Ten Tournament in Chicago Sunday.
Ohio State at the Big Ten Tournament
In six appearances in the Big Ten tournament, the Buckeyes have a record of 7-5 after winning three games and playing in their second-consecutive league tournament title game this year. The Buckeyes were the No. 8 seed this year but advanced to the title game with wins over No. 9 Iowa (66-64), No. 1 Wisconsin (58-50) and No. 5 Michigan State (55-54). No. 2 seed Illinois beat Ohio State 72-59 for the tournament title.
Darby, Connolly Earn Tournament Honors
Seniors Brent Darby and Sean Connolly were selected to the 2003 Big Ten Tournament Team. Darby, who also made the 2002 league tournament squad, averaged 21.0 points in four games. He also handed out 22 assists, averaged 4.0 rebounds and recorded 11 steals while averaging 39.5 minutes a game. He played 158 of a possible 160 minutes in the tournament. Connolly shot 53 percent from the field, knocking down 20-38 shots from the field. He connected on 56 percent of his 3-point attempts (14-25). He averaged nearly 15 points in 37.5 minutes a game.
O’Brien Makes 5th Trip to NIT
Jim O’Brien has taken 12 teams to postseason play during his 21-year career. Five of those teams, including the 2002-03 Buckeyes, have appeared in the NIT. O’Brien is 4-4 in NIT action. His first appearance in the NIT was as the rookie head coach of St. Bonaventure in 1983. Three of his Boston College teams (1988, 1992, 1993) played in the NIT.
Darby Reaches Ohio State 500 Club
With 574 points this season, senior guard Brent Darby became just the 22nd Buckeye to score 500 or more points in a season. Brian Brown (520) was the last to do so (2001-02). Darby scored 84 points during the Big Ten tournament to reach 500 this year. His point total this season ranks No. 22 all-time for most points scored in a season at Ohio State. Allan Hornyak is No. 21 with 576 points during the 1973 season.
Yellow Jackets Even Entering NIT
Georgia Tech finished with a 7-9 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season and fell to North Carolina State (71-65) in the ACC Tournament March 14 in Greensboro, N.C. The Yellow Jackets enter the NIT with a 14-14 record. Ohio State and Georgia Tech met a pair of common opponents in 2002-03. The Yellow Jackets fell to Minnesota in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on the road Dec. 4, 64-63. Ohio State defeated the Golden Gophers 73-68 Dec. 5 in Columbus. The Buckeyes fell to Duke 91-76 Dec. 3 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge in Greensboro, N.C. Georgia Tech lost to Duke twice, 91-71 at Duke Jan. 25 and 77-58 Feb. 26 in Atlanta.
Georgia Tech Trio in Double Digits
A trio of Yellow Jackets average in double figures. Freshman forward Chris Bosh is the leading scorer with 15.4 points a game. He is followed by B.J. Elder, a sophomore guard, with 15.1 ppg. Junior guard Marvin Lewis is third with 12.5 ppg. Bosh also is the leading rebounder with 8.9 rebounds a game.
Hewitt in 3rd Season at Georgia Tech
Paul Hewitt is in his sixth season as a head coach and his third at Tech. Hewitt is 46-43 in his tenure with the Yellow Jackets and 112-70 overall.
O’Brien Wins No. 350
Ohio State head coach Jim O’Brien has won 119 games in Columbus with the Buckeyes in six seasons. His career total of 354 wins includes 67 victories at St. Bonaventure and 168 victories at Boston College. O’Brien has averaged 19.8 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 13-4 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 17-0 on the year.
Darby Among Big Ten Leaders
Senior Brent Darby is second in scoring among Big Ten players with 18.5 points per game behind Illinois’ Brian Cook (20.1). Darby also is No. 4 in assists (4.52 apg.) and No. 3 in steals (1.81 spg.).
Darby’s Scoring Average Highest Since 1999 Season
Brent Darby’s 18.5 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 1,356 career points and is No. 20 all-time on the Ohio State scoring chart. Former teammate Brian Brown is No. 19 with 1,384 points from 1999-2002. Sean Connolly has scored 1,106 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 143 of 361 (.396) 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. 5 in 3-pointers made and No. 6 in attempts as well. Senior Brent Darby is No. 7 in 3-point shooting percentage (.363) and is No. 2 in made (152) and No. 4 in attempted (419) 3-pointers. Scoonie Penn owns the career record for 3-pointers made with 153 from 1999-2000.
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 38.1 minutes a game. Connolly plays 36.1 minutes a contest. Darby has played 40 or more minutes in 14 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 71 percent
Brent Darby has been to the foul line 10 or more times in 11 games this season. He leads Ohio State in free throws made (204) and attempted (251). As a team, Ohio State has connected on 359 of 713 free throws for a .709 accuracy rating.
Darby Entering Several Foul Shooting Top 10 Lists
Senior Brent Darby has made 204 free throws this season. He is one of three Buckeyes to connect on 200 or more foul shots in a single season. The 6-1 guard rates No. 3 in single season foul shots made at Ohio State. 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 (394) with 10 made foul shots vs. Michigan State March 8. He will become just the sixth Buckeye with 400 made foul shots with six during NIT competition. He is currently No. 7 all time. Jerry Lucas is the career leader with 438 made over three seasons (1960-62). Hopson is second with 437 (1984-87). Darby’s 251 free throws attempted puts him at No. 3.
Key Buckeyes Miss 47 Games to Date With Various Injuries
Brandon Fuss-Cheatham (10 games), a sophomore point guard, Shun Jenkins (8), a junior forward, Terence Dials (25), 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.
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 111-49 (.692) in the 160 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).
Buckeyes Reach 17 Wins for 5th-Consecutive Season
Ohio State has won 17 or more games in each of the last five seasons, the second longest streak of consecutive seasons with 17 or more wins in Ohio State history. The record is eight-consecutive seasons from 1985-1992. The Buckeyes would set a school record with three more wins this season, giving Ohio State at least 20 wins for five-consecutive years.
Buckeyes Reach Postseason for 5th-Consecutive Season
Ohio State has reached postseason play in each of the last five seasons, the second-longest streak in postseason play at Ohio State. The record is 12-consecutive years from 1982-1992 (7 NCAA/5 NIT).
