Buckeyes Continue Play in Guardians Classic – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 22, 2004
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Site Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Mo.
Game Time 11/23, 6:30 p.m.; 11/24, 6:30 p.m. or 9 p.m.
TV 11/23, None; 11/24, Title Game on CSTV
TV Talent None/TBA
Radio OSU Radio Network (59 stations)
Local Radio WBNS FM-97.1 AM-1460
Radio Talent Paul Keels (P-by-P), Ron Stokes (Color)
Stockman Helps Buckeyes to 3-0 Start with 26 in Win Over Delaware
Tony Stockman scored 26 points and hit two early 3-pointers to set the tone in leading Ohio State to a 74-49 win over Delaware (11/19). The Buckeyes controlled the game from the outset, scoring the first nine points and later adding a 13-0 run to build a 41-19 lead at the half. Stockman hit 10 of 13 shots from the field including 6 of 9 3-pointers. The 26 points bettered his previous Ohio State high by a point, set a year ago against Penn State. J.J. Sullinger chipped in with 12 points for the Buckeyes, who hit 51 percent of their shots from the field. The Blue Hens had as many turnovers (19) as points in the first 20 minutes.
Newcomers, Buckeyes Value the Ball
The four first-year Buckeyes on the 2004-05 roster have one turnover and as a team Ohio State has just 27 on the year in three games and 600-combined minutes played by the team. Freshmen Jamar Butler (63 minutes), Matt Terwilliger (33) and Jermyl Jackson-Wilson (12) have played a combined 108 minutes with one turnover. Je’Kel Foster, a junior college transfer, has played 53 minutes without a miscue. Ohio State has 17 more assists (46-29) and 29 fewer turnovers (27-56) than the three opponents to date.
Matta Era Underway
The 13th head coach in Ohio State history, Thad Matta took over the Ohio State men’s basketball program July 7. The new staff begins with a roster of 13 players for the 2004-05 campaign, nine of which are returning letterwinners from a 14-16 squad in 2003-04. That Buckeyes team finished ninth in the Big Ten with a 6-10 league mark and a first round exit in the Big Ten tournament.
Matta 3-0 for 3rd Time in Career
Ohio State is the third stop as a head coach for Thad Matta. In his two previous debuts, Matta defeated Eastern Illinois (90-73) in his first game at Butler in 2000. In his first game as Xavier head coach in 2001, Matta’s squad downed Coastal Carolina 72-41. He also guided the Musketeers to season-opening wins in 2003, an 87-48 win over St. Peters in the preseason NIT, and in 2003, a 62-37 victory over Coppin State. His first Ohio State squad downed Towson 74-53 in the season opener Nov. 15. Matta as started 3-0 three times in his career, once each at Butler (2000-01), Xavier (2003-04) and Ohio State (2004-05). No Matta team has started a season 4-0.
Noting the Delaware Game
Ohio State is 2-0 all-time against Delaware. The Buckeyes alsowon the first meeting, 109-38, on Jan. 16, 1960 in Columbus. TheBuckeyes are 9-1 all-time against teams from the Colonial AthleticAssociation. The mark includes a 74-53 win over Towson Nov. 15 inValue City Arena. The men’s basketball team played its 100th gamein Value City Arena against Delaware. Since the facility opened forthe 1998-99 season, Ohio State has an all-time record of 80-20 inVCA. Ohio State’s 25-point win marks the first time the Buckeyeshave won three-consecutive games by 20 points or more since1999-00. That year, Ohio State defeated Vermont 74-51 (24 points),Duquesne 87-55 (32) and Florida A&M 99-47 (52). The Buckeyesopened the game on a 9-2 run in the first 17:16. The squad compiledanother run from 14:55 to 4:39, outscoring the Blue Hens 19-8. OhioState took a 41-19 lead into the locker room and outscored the BlueHens 25-2 in points off turnovers in the first stanza. The Buckeyeshave led at halftime in all three games this season. OSU recorded28 points off turnovers compared to Delaware’s six. The Buckeyesalso outscored the Blue Hens 27-4 in fast break points. Ohio Statetallied six steals in each of the first two games of the season.Against Delaware, the Buckeyes recorded a season-high 12 steals,including nine in the first half alone. Senior Tony Stockman’s six3-point field goals is the second-most of his Buckeye career. Henetted seven treys against Penn State last season. He finished thenight with 26 points. Three of the four newcomers – Jamar Butler,Je’Kel Foster and Matt Terwilliger have yet to commit a turnoverthis season.
Noting the Buckeyes
Junior J.J. Sullinger has connected on 75 percent of his shots from the field (15-20) in three games this season.
Senior Brandon Fuss-Cheatham has made 50 percent of his attempts from the field (8-16) in three games. He connected on 39 percent a year ago and is a 33 percent shooter for his career. He played just six minutes in the win over Robert Morris after turning an ankle early in the first half. He played 22 minutes and recorded four assists in the win over Delaware.
Sophomore Ivan Harris has started three games this year after making two all of last year.
Senior Tony Stockman averages 15 points a game this season in 28 minutes a game. He tallied 13.6 points a game a year ago in 33.5 minutes a contest. Against Delaware (11/19) he scored 26 points, his career high effort as a Buckeye. He also knocked down six 3-pointers against the Blue Hens. Stockman has connected on 6 or more 3 pointers three times as a Buckeye. Stockman leads Ohio State with six steals and 27.7 minutes a game.
Freshman Jamar Butler has played the most minutes of the freshman class to date (63/21.0 per game). He has not committed a turnover yet this season and has eight assists, which is tied for the team lead along with Brandon Fuss-Cheatham.
Junior Je’Kel Foster has made the most of his court time off the bench this season. In three games he has averaged 8.3 points a game in 17.7 minutes a contest. He also has not made a turnover. He is shooting 50 percent from long range (6-12) and is second on the team with five steals.
Junior Terence Dials is shooting 59 percent from the field (13-22), helping the team to a 52 percent shooting percentage on the year. Dials has made 55 percent of his shots for his career (225-412).
Junior Matt Sylvester has made 80 percent of his shots this year in three games (8-10).
Buckeyes Own 21-9 Record vs. 2004 Guardians Classic Field
Ohio State began the 2004 Guardians Classic with a 19-9 record vs. the other 11 teams in the field and a 6-0 record vs. the teams in the Ohio State Regional. Those records improved with the win over Robert Morris last week to 21-9 and 8-0, respectively. The Buckeyes are 2-0 vs. Towson, 5-0 vs. Robert Morris and 1-0 vs. Morgan State. The Buckeyes are 8-6 vs. the teams from the Missouri Regional (3-0 vs. Houston, 4-6 vs. Missouri and 1-0 vs. Brown) and 5-3 against Creighton Regional teams (0-1 vs. Iona and 5-2 vs. Creighton).
Houston Enters Classic 2-1
Houston split the first two games of the Guardians Classic in the Missouri Regional. The Cougars opened with a 72-69 win over Sam Houston State and then fell to Missouri 77-61. Houston then played McNeese State between the Guardians Classic sessions. Lanny Smith leads the Cougars with 17.0 points a game followed by Andre Owens with 16.0 a contest. Ramon Dyer is the squad’s leading rebounder with 6.0 a game.
Penders in First Year at Houston
Tom Penders is 529-362 all-time and is 2-1 in his first season at Houston. His coaching duties have been at Columbia, Fordham, Texas and Rhode Island.
The Houston Series, OSU vs. Conference USA
Ohio State is 3-0 all-time against Houston with the last meeting taking place in 1968 in the NCAA Final Four consolation game in Los Angeles, Calif. The Buckeyes fell to North Carolina 80-66 in the semifinals and then defeated Houston 89-85. Houston was ranked No. 1 heading into the 1968 Final Four. Ohio State is 42-26 against the current lineup of Conference USA teams. The Buckeyes have met every team in the league except East Carolina, N.C.-Charlotte and Southern Mississippi. St. Louis University has met the Buckeyes the most often with OSU owning a 11-6 advantage in that series.
OSU vs. Houston 12/23/63 W Houston 79-62 12/7/64 W @Houston 77-69 3/23/68 W vs Houston 89-85(1)
The Creighton Series, OSU vs. the MVC
The Blue Jays and Buckeyes have not met since the 1972 season. Ohio State is 5-2 all-time against Creighton since the series started in 1936. The teams never have met at a neutral site. The Buckeyes are 4-0 in Columbus and 1-2 at Creighton. Ohio State has met representatives from the Missouri Valley Conference 17 times over the years and has come away with victories in 13 of those games. Ohio State has played just four MVC teams: Bradley (1-1), Creighton (5-2), Evansville (4-0) and Wichita State (3-1).
OSU vs. Creighton 12/21/36 W @Creighton 35-28 12/27/37 W Creighton 31-17 1/2/41 W Creighton 55-42 12/22/41 L @Creighton 34-60 1/26/63 W Creighton 78-73 1/3/72 W Creighton 94(6)-76 12/30/72 L @Creighton 71-79
The Missouri Series, OSU vs. the Big 12 Missouri and Ohio State last played in the 2002 NCAA Tournament in second round play in Albuquerque, N.M. The Tigers won that game 83-67 and are 6-4 against Ohio State teams all-time. Against Big 12 competition, the Buckeyes are 19-23. Ohio State has played every Big 12 team at least once with the exception of Baylor and Colorado. Ohio State has four wins against both Missouri and Nebraska.
OSU vs. Missouri 12/12/31 W Missouri 30-17 2/13/50 W @Missouri 47(4)-46 12/11/50 L Missouri 51-61 12/13/63 L Missouri 74(8)-85 12/1/65 W @Missouri 76-74 12/9/72 L Missouri 62(15)-69 12/15/73 L @Missouri 68-71 12/11/83 L @Missouri 53-64 12/22/84 W Missouri 88-77 3/16/02 L Missouri 67(14)-83
Ohio State on Nov. 23, 24
The last time Ohio State played Nov. 23 it was a win over Florida State at the Great Alaska Shootout in 2000. The Buckeyes won that game 90-65. The last game on Nov. 24 also was in a tournament setting, this time at the Maui Invitational a year ago against San Diego State. Ohio State fell 83-61 in that contest. The Buckeyes are 2-1 in Nov. 23 games and 3-2 on Nov. 24 heading into the Guardians Classic.
11/23/1900 W Circleville 26-5 11/23/96 L @South Florida 56-60 11/23/00 W vs. Florida State 90-65 11/24/84 W Lafayette 85-67 11/24/97 W Rider 68-57 11/24/98 W Tennessee Tech 78-51 11/24/00 L vs. Syracuse 66-77 11/24/03 L vs. San Diego St. 61-83
Buckeyes Play Often in Early Going
In a span of 10 days Ohio State will play five games after the season tipped off Nov. 15 in the opening round of the Guardians Classic. The Buckeyes play Houston and Missouri or Creighton in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday and Wednesday in the Guardians event. Ohio State then plays at home, this time at St. John Arena, Nov. 27 against Chattanooga. Tickets for that game are still available by calling 1-800-GO BUCKS or on-line at www.hangonsloopy.com.
Hoops Coaches 10-3 In First Games at OSU
The 13 all-time men’s basketball head coaches at Ohio State have a combined record of 10-3 in their first games as Buckeye head coaches. Thad Matta, coach No. 13 in Ohio State history, won his opener vs. Towson, 74-53, Nov. 15.
Ohio State is 49-55 in Away Openers
Ohio State opened its 106th season of men’s basketball against Towson in the first round of the Guardians Classic in Columbus Nov. 15. The Buckeyes are 83-23 (.783) all time in season openers after the win over the Tigers. In the first road game of the year, Ohio State is 49-55 (.476). The Buckeyes did not play a road game in 1900-01. Ohio State is 87-19 (.821) in home openers.
A Look at the 2004-05 Buckeyes
Tony Stockman, a senior guard and the squad’s leading scorer from a year ago, contributed a solid campaign statistically during his first year in Columbus. The transfer from Clemson led the Buckeyes with 13.6 points per game, 74 assists and 61 steals. He knocked down 73 3-pointers and played the most minutes (972). His gambling defensive style and abilities to knock down long-range shots on the break could mesh well with Matta’s plans for an up-tempo style of play.
To compliment the outside game, junior captain Terence Dials returns to shore up the Ohio State front court, depleted by the loss of 7-foot center Velimir Radinovic (10.3 ppg./6.0 rpg.). Dials was steady throughout the season, making 51 percent (111-220) of his shots from the field and nearly 72 percent of his foul shots (91-127). With a scoring average of 10.4 points and a rebounding mark of 6.6 rpg., the coaches will have a solid interior presence with Dials in the paint. He excelled at the end of last season, making 14-of-17 shots from the floor and 16-of-22 foul shots over the final two games of the season vs. Illinois and Indiana.
J.J. Sullinger also contributed double digits offensively with 10.1 points a game in his first year at Ohio State following a transfer from Arkansas after his freshman campaign.
A number of student-athletes will have an opportunity to fill out the starting lineup. Senior Brandon Fuss-Cheatham will be challenged by incoming freshman Jamar Butler, the 2004 Ohio Mr. Basketball honoree, at the point guard spot. Stockman also spent significant time quarterbacking the Buckeyes last year.
Guards Je’Kel Foster, a junior college transfer, and Ricardo Billings, a junior from Detroit, also will get opportunities with Sullinger at the wing position.
Sophomore Ivan Harris, junior Matt Sylvester, and freshman Jermyl Jackson-Wilson will vie for playing time at forward with freshman Matt Terwilliger battling for time inside with Dials and senior Matt Marinchick.
Stockman Puts Name in Record Book
Tony Stockman made 73 3-point field goals as a junior, the third most by an OSU player in a single season. His 61 steals total for 2003-04 tied him for the No. 7 spot with Michael Redd (1998) for single season steals at OSU. Stockman also attempted 202 3-pointers a year ago, good for the No. 3 spot all-time for single season long range attempts.
Ohio State 80-20 at VCA
The Buckeyes began season No. 7 at Value City Arena Nov. 15 against Towson in the opening round of the Guardians Classic. The facility opened for the start of the 1998-99 season and since the Buckeyes have built a record of 80-20 in 100 home games. The Buckeyes have not had a home losing season in the VCA’s existence and have 11 or more wins in five of the six years to date, including 15 victories in 1999-2000 and 2001-02 and 14 wins in both 1998-99 and 2000-01.
A Return to St. John
Ohio State will face Chattanooga Saturday at St. John Arena, the longtime home of the Buckeyes prior to the opening of the Jerome Schottenstein Center in the fall of 1998. A scheduling conflict at Value City Arena and the desire to play a game in Columbus that weekend provided the opportunity for the game to be played at St. John. Ohio State last played at St. John Arena Feb. 28, 1998, an overtime loss to Penn State (89-85). Ohio State is 426-151 in 577 games played from 1956-1998 at St. John for a winning percentage of .738.
The game at St. John marks the second-consecutive season in which the Buckeyes will play a game in Columbus away from Value City Arena. Ohio State faced Virginia Tech Dec. 6, 2003 at Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus. That game was played as a preview of the 2004 NCAA First and Second round games, which were contested in Columbus last March at Nationwide.
2007 NCAA Tournament Returns to Columbus
The NCAA tournament will return to Columbus for the opening rounds of the 2007 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, the organization announced in July. Ohio State played host to the first and second rounds in 2004. Games were played at Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus, which will again be the site of the event in 2007. Ohio State will act as the host institution for the event.
Clemson, LSU Last to Face OSU
Entering the 2004-05 season, the Buckeyes had played every team from both the Atlantic Coast and Southeastern conferences except for one member school from each league. With both Clemson (ACC) and Louisiana State (SEC) on the schedule this year, Ohio State will finish the year with at least one meeting against every member of the ACC and SEC.
Buckeyes Win No. 101 this Decade
Ohio State’s record in the first decade of the 21st century is shaping up to be one of the best in the history of the program. Ohio State is 101-57 (.639) since the beginning of the 1999-2000 season. The winning percentage is the second highest since 1910-19. The Buckeyes were 188-69 (.732) from 1960-69.
Buckeyes Seek Continued Nov. Success
The fall portion of the men’s basketball season at Ohio State typically goes well for the Buckeyes. Ohio State has played 71 November games with a record of 54-17, for a winning percentage of .761 heading into the game against Houston. The Buckeyes will play six games in November this year.
Marinchick represents Buckeyes in Italy
After a one-year absence, the Big Ten Basketball Foreign Tour teams returned to play this summer. Penn State’s Kurt Kanaskie served as the head coach for the men’s team. The squad played games in Italy from Aug. 10-20. The Big Ten squad last played in Europe in the summer of 2002 and went 4-1 during travels through Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. Matt Marinchick, a fifth-year senior center for the Buckeyes, averaged 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds as the Big Ten team compiled a 3-2 record on the 2004 trip.
5th Ohio Mr. Basketball Joins Buckeyes
Jamar Butler is the 17th overall and fifth Ohio Mr. Basketball Award winner to play for Ohio State. Butler joins Tony Stockman (2000), Damon Stringer (1995), Greg Simpson (1991, 1992) and Jim Jackson (1988, 1989) as former Ohio Mr. Basketball award winners who went on to play for the Buckeyes.
Attendance in Top 20 for 6th-consecutive Year
Attendance at Ohio State men’s basketball games remained in the Top 20 nationally in 2003-04 and has ranked among the national leaders in all six seasons at Value City Arena. Attendance averaged 14,521 in 15 home games a year ago to rank No. 18 nationally. A total of 1,631,437 have crossed the turnstiles at VCA for an average of 16,819 over 97 total home games since the facility opened for the 1998-99 season. The average is 3,543 more than the capacity (13,276) at St. John Arena, the former home of the Buckeyes (1956-1998).
NCAA Attendance in VCA Era Division I Home Attendance Leaders Year Gms. Total Avg. NCAA Rk 1999 15 258,3481 7,223 7 2000 17 317,9361 8,702 5 2001 17 298,1721 7,540 4 2002 17 282,2501 6,603 5 2003 16 256,9141 6,057 10 2004 15 217,8171 4,521 18 Totals 97 1,631,4371 6,819
The Schedule
Ohio State opened the season Nov. 15 at home in the first of two rounds in the Guardians Classic. The Buckeyes advanced in the event to Kansas City to play Nov. 23-24 against Houston (Nov. 23) and either Missouri or Creighton Nov. 24. Other non-conference highlights include the game at St. John Arena against Chattanooga, a road game at Clemson Dec. 1 in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, and additional road games at Texas Tech in Dallas Dec. 16 and at Louisiana State Jan. 15. The Texas Tech game concludes a home-and-home with the Red Raiders. The contests vs. St. Joseph’s and LSU begin home-and-home series with each school. St. Joseph’s, which spent time ranked No. 1 a year ago, will visit Value City Arena Dec. 31. Thad Matta, Ohio State’s first-year head coach, is familiar with the Hawks, having knocked off No. 1 St. Joseph’s 87-67 in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Tournament last March in Dayton.
Lewis to play for hometown Buckeyes
Ron Lewis, who played his first two seasons of college basketball at Bowling Green State University, transferred to his native Columbus to join Thad Matta at Ohio State. Lewis, a 2002 Brookhaven High School graduate, averaged 14.6 points and scored 877 points in his two seasons with the Falcons. He averaged 17.0 points and earned second team All-Mid American Conference honors as a sophomore before his transfer to Ohio State. Lewis started 55 of 60 career games at BGSU and was an 81 percent foul shooter (340-420) for his career. He will have two years of eligibility at Ohio State beginning with the 2005-06 campaign and becomes the first player to join the Buckeyes under Matta’s direction.
Majority of Buckeye Roster from Ohio
Nine of the 14 student athletes on the 2004-05 Buckeyes roster hail from their home state of Ohio. Seniors Matt Marinchick (Hudson) and Tony Stockman (Medina), juniors J.J. Sullinger (Columbus), Ron Lewis (Columbus), Terence Dials (Youngstown) and Matt Sylvester (Cincinnati), sophomore Ivan Harris (Springfield) and freshmen Jamar Butler (Lima) and Matt Terwilliger (Troy) all found their way home to play for Ohio State.
7 Buckeyes Spend Year in Residence
A total of seven student-athletes on the 2004-05 roster have spent a year on the Ohio State campus without playing in games for the Buckeyes. Junior Ricardo Billings sat out 2002-03 to satisfy academic requirements for eligibility last season. Juniors Terence Dials (2002-03) and Matt Sylvester (2001-02) each sat out a season with back injuries but received medical redshirt seasons to retain four years of eligibility. Senior Matt Marinchick (2000-01) decided to redshirt his first year in Columbus to gain strength and experience. Finally, senior Tony Stockman and junior J.J. Sullinger both sat out the 2002-03 season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules after leaving Clemson and Arkansas, respectively, following the 2001-02 season. Ron Lewis, a junior transfer from Bowling Green, is sitting out the 2004-05 season and will become eligible to play for the Buckeyes in 2005-06. He will have two years of eligibility.
