Ohio State Takes on Creighton In Championship of Guardians Classic – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 24, 2004
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Opponents Creighton (4-0)
Site Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City
Game Time 9 p.m.
TV CSTV
TV Talent Carter Blackburn, Play by Play, Matt Doherty, Expert Analysis
Radio OSU Radio Network (59 stations)
Local Radio WBNS FM-97.1 AM-1460
Radio Talent Paul Keels (P-by-P), Ron Stokes (Color)
Harris’ Career High 19 Helps Buckeyes to 4-0 Start in Win Over Delaware
Sophomore Ivan Harris scored a career-high 19 points, making 9 of 11 shots from the floor, including all seven of his attempts in the first half, in leading the Buckeyes to a 78-61 win over Houston in the semifinals of the Guardians Classic Tuesday in Kansas City, Mo. Tony Stockman contributed 18 points on 7 of 10 shooting, which included a 3 of 6 effort from 3-point range. He also added five steals and three assists. Senior point guard Brandon Fuss-Cheatham had a career-high nine assists while committing just one turnover in 25 minutes of action. Junior Terence Dials was a bucket short of a double-double with 12 rebounds and eight points. Ohio State made its first 10 shots from the field in building a 21-2 advantage with 13:34 to play in the opening 20 minutes. The Buckeyes shot 63 percent from the field (19-30) in the first half and finished the game connecting on 59 percent of their shots (32-54). The win gave first year head coach Thad Matta a 4-0 start at Ohio State and marked the first time in his 5-year head coaching career he started with a 4-0 slate.
Matta 4-0 for 1st 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 has started 4-0 for the first time in his career. He was 3-0 three times, once each at Butler (2000-01), Xavier (2003-04) and Ohio State (2004-05).
Noting the Houston Game
Ohio State is 4-0 all-time against Houston and is 43-26 againstConference USA teams all-time. . The Buckeyes opened the game on a21-2 run in the first 5:40, making 10-consecutive shots from thefield before a 3-point miss by Je’Kel Foster with 12:16 to playwith a 23-6 lead. Senior guard Brandon Fuss-Cheatham dished out acareer-high 9 assists in the win and had just 1 turnover. TheBuckeyes have led at halftime in all four games this season. OSUrecorded 34 points in the paint while allowing just 12 by theCougars. Ohio State tallied six steals in each of the first twogames of the season. Against Delaware, the Buckeyes recorded aseason-high 12 steals, and tied that effort against Houston. TonyStockman lead the way with five thefts. Sophomore Ivan Harrisscored a game-high 19 points, he previously had 13 against SanDiego State in his second game as a Buckeye a year ago. Nineplayers scored in the win for the Buckeyes, seven recorded assistsand six had steals. The Buckeyes also had nine made threes by fivedifferent players. Nine players scored in the win for the Buckeyes,seven recorded assists and six had steals. The Buckeyes also hadnine made threes by five different players.
Ohio State Shoots, Scores Well Early
Ohio State has made 120 of 225 field goals (.533) while holding foes to a .350 shooting percentage (79-226). The Buckeyes have connected on 29 of 71 3-point shots (.408) while opponents have made just 24 percent (22-93) from long range. With an average of 77 points of game, Ohio State is outscoring opponents 53.2 points a game for a + 23.8 points a contest.
Fuss-Cheatham Runs the Show
Senior point guard Brandon Fuss-Cheatham as 17 assists on the season after a career-high nine helpers Tuesday against Houston. He is averaging 4.3 a game with just one turnover a contest. He has averaged 1.8 assists a game over his career in Columbus. As a team, Ohio Sate has 69 assists and 46 turnovers this season while opponents have 75 TOs and 44 assists.
Foster Provides Consistency off Bench
Junior college transfer Je’Kel Foster has been one of the more consistent Buckeyes so far this season. He averages 8.5 points and nearly three rebounds in Ohio State’s 4-0 start. He is second in 3-pointers made and attempted (9-20/.450) and steals (8). He’s also dished out eight assists in 20 minutes a game.
Four Different Lead Buckeyes to Wins
In the four victories this year, four different players have led the Buckeyes in scoring. Terence Dials scored a career high 23 points in the opener vs. Towson. J.J. Sullinger then top the scoring list with 14 against Robert Morris. Tony Stockman scored an Ohio State career-high 26 vs. Delaware and sophomore Ivan Harris was the top score with a career-best 19 points against Houston.
Buckeyes Own 22-9 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. The record improved with the win over Houston Tuesday to 22-9. The Buckeyes are 2-0 vs. Towson, 5-0 vs. Robert Morris and 1-0 vs. Morgan State. The Buckeyes are 9-6 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).
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
Ohio State on Nov. 23, 24
The last time Ohio State played 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 3-2 on Nov. 24 heading into the Guardians Classic.
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 Creighton in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday in the Guardians Classic Championship game. Ohio State then plays at home, this time at St. John Arena, Saturday 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 50-55 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 50-55 (.476). The Buckeyes did not play a road game in 1900-01. Ohio State is 87-19 (.821) in home openers.
Buckeyes Win No. 102 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 102-57 (.641) 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 72 November games with a record of 55-17, for a winning percentage of .764 heading into the game against Creighton. The Buckeyes will play six games in November this year.
