Ohio State Begins Final Homestand vs. Penn State on Wednesday – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 2, 2004
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Date March 3, 2004
Opponent Penn State
Site Value City Arena (19,200)
Game Time 8 p.m. (EST)
TV ESPN Plus
Local TV WBNS 10-TV
TV Talent Tom Hamilton (P-by-P), Bill Hosket (Analyst)
Radio OSU Radio Network (59 stations)
Local Radio WBNS FM-97.1 AM-1460
Radio Talent Paul Keels (P-by-P), Ron Stokes (Color)
Ohio State Buckeyes
Probable Starters (13-14, 5-9)
G 2 – Brandon Fuss-Cheatham, 6-1, Jr.
G 0 – J.J. Sullinger, 6-5, So.
G 10 – Tony Stockman, 6-1, Jr.
C 14 – Velimir Radinovic, 7-0, Sr.
F 34 – Terence Dials, 6-9, So.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Probable Starters (9-16, 3-11)
G 20 – Marlon Smith, 6-0, Fr.
G 3 – Ben Luber, 6-0, Fr.
F 44 – Ndu Egekeze, 6-6, Sr.
F 22 – Jan Jagla, 7-0, Jr.
F 21 – Robert Summers, 6-11, So.
CBS to Broadcast Season Finale at VCA
The Ohio State men’s basketball game vs. Illinois will be televised by CBS Sports at 4 p.m. EST Sunday, March 7 at Value City Arena, the Big Ten Conference announced, Monday. The game will be the regular-season finale for both teams.
Ohio State will recognize senior student-athletes Shun Jenkins (Albany, Ga./Itawamba CC), Velimir Radinovic (Toronto, Ontario/T.A. Blakelock) and Shaun Smith (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills) during pregame ceremonies.
Stockman Climbs Charts But Wolverines Prevail on Home Court
Tony Stockman led all scorers with 22 points for Ohio State and Lester Abram scored 20 for Michigan in a 75-64 win over the Buckeyes in Ohio State’s final road game of the regular season. The Buckeyes had won two straight, both on the road. Terence Dials scored 13 and Velimir Radinovic added 11 points and seven rebounds for the Buckeyes. Abram scored 10 points in the first half to help Michigan earn a nine-point lead and had 10 points after halftime as the Wolverines stayed ahead comfortably. Senior Bernard Robinson had 13 points and five assists. Reserve Brent Petway tied a career high with 12 points and had eight rebounds and three blocks. Daniel Horton added 10 points and six assists. Abram made two 3-pointers and a putback in two-plus minutes to give Michigan a 52-38 lead midway through the second half. Ohio State then pulled within seven, but could not get closer. The Buckeyes got off to a good start and did not trail until 8:30 remained in the first half. Michigan went ahead during a 13-2 run and later scored eight straight points to take control of the game. Michigan led 40-31 at halftime.
Stockman Eclipses 1,000 Career Points
Junior guard Tony Stockman scored 16 points against Iowa (2/18/04) to reach 1,000 for his career. A transfer from Clemson, Stockman scored 716 during his two years with the Tigers. He has 347 points as a Buckeye for a career total of 1,063 (12.5 ppg.). He reached 200 career assists with two at Wisconsin (2/14/04). Against Michigan State Feb. 7, Stockman knocked down five 3-pointers to push his career total over the 200 (212) mark. He also needs three rebounds to reach 200 for his career.
The Buckeyes vs. Penn State
Ohio State leads the all-time series with Penn State 14-13 following a loss earlier this season in State College, Pa. Ohio State leads 9-4 in Columbus over the Nittany Lions. PSU is 7-5 on its home floor and 2-0 at neutral sites over the Buckeyes. The teams are separated by just 2.0 points a game all-time with the Buckeyes outscoring the Nittany Lions by an average score of 72.3-70.3 points per game. In Ohio State’s nine victories in Columbus, the Buckeyes have averaged a winning margin of nearly 15 points (75.8-61.0).
Radinovic Atop Big Ten in FG Percentage
Senior Velimir Radinovic is No. 1 in the Big Ten in field goal shooting percentage, knocking down 65.6 percent of his shots (101-154). He has made 57 percent of his shots for his career (257-451) in 108 games. He has made 59-of-91 (.648) shots in Big Ten play this season.
O’Brien 4th All-Time in OSU Career Wins
Jim O’Brien has won 132 career games at Ohio State in his seven seasons in Columbus. That total is the fourth-most in Ohio State history. Fred Taylor is the career leader with 297 career wins from 1959-1976 (18 yrs.). Harold G. Olsen is No. 2 (260, 1923-46/24) and Eldon Miller is No. 3 with 174 wins from 1977-86 in 10 seasons.
O’Brien 2nd All-Time in Average Wins Per Season at Ohio State
Jim O’Brien has averaged 18.9 wins per year in his seven years at Ohio State, the second-highest average all-time behind the 19.7 wins a year reached by Gary Williams in his three seasons in Columbus from 1987-89. Williams was 59-41 and made the NCAA Tournament once and the National Invitation Tournament twice. O’Brien has taken four teams to the NCAA Tournament and one to the NIT and has one Final Four (1999) appearance to his credit. Following the 8-22 1997-98 season, his first at Ohio State, O’Brien has averaged 20.7 victories a season in Columbus.
O’Brien Win Percentage Soars When 70 Points Reached
In Jim O’Brien’s seven seasons in Columbus the Buckeyes have won 81 percent of their games when scoring 70 or more points. Ohio State is 7-2 this season when the 70-point mark is reached. The Buckeyes were 4-7 when scoring 70 points in O’Brien’s first year in 1997-98. Since that season, Ohio State has been successful 86 percent of the time when scoring 70 or more points.
Rcd. when Win Year Scoring 70+ Pct. 1997-98 4-7 .364 1998-99 21-5 .808 1999-2000 15-2 .882 2000-01 12-1 .923 2001-02 19-3 .864 2002-03 10-1 .909 2003-04 7-2 .857 Totals 88-21 .807
Buckeyes’ 37-1 When Shooting 50 percent or Better at Value City Arena
Ohio State has a record of 37-1 (.974) in six seasons under Jim O’Brien at Value City Arena when shooting 50 percent or better. The Buckeyes connected on 57 percent (27-47) of their shots in the most recent win (72-64) over Northwestern Feb. 4. The lone home loss when shooting better than 50 percent at VCA was to Penn State Jan. 10, 2001, a 78-75 setback. The Nittany Lions connected on 53 percent (27-51) of their shots while the Buckeyes knocked down 57 percent (31-54). Ohio State has shot 50 percent or better in nearly half of all games played at Value City Arena (.487).
Overall Shooting 50+% Yr. VCA Rcd. Hm. Rcd. 1998-99 14-1 7-0 1999-2000 15-2 4-0 2000-01 14-3 7-1 2001-02 15-2 9-0 2002-03 11-5 5-0 2003-04 7-4 5-0 Totals 76-17 (.817) 37-1 (.974)
Stockman Paces Buckeyes
Junior Tony Stockman leads Ohio State with an average of 13.3 points a game. He has connected on 82 percent of his foul shots (42-51). With a total of 57 steals, Stockman is among Big Ten leaders (2nd) with an average of 2.19 thefts a game. Senior Velimir Radinovic is the team’s second leading scorer with an average of 10.4 ppg. Stockman leads Ohio State vs. Big Ten competition with 12.6 ppg. Radinovic is a close second at 11.6 ppg. Sophomore Terence Dials is third with 11.5 ppg.
Noting the Michigan Game * Junior Tony Stockman led Ohio State with 22 points. He added four steals and four 3-pointers, as well.
* The Buckeyes own an 82-70 all-time record over Michigan, including seven wins in the last 10 meetings.
* Stockman’s four 3-pointers made gives him 61 on the year, good for the No. 6 spot all-time in a single season. He trails No. 5 Scoonie Penn, who had 65 made in 2000.
* With four steals at Michigan, Stockman moved into the Top 10 on the single-season steals chart at Ohio State. His 57 steals on the year ranks 9th, tied with Jay Burson, who had 57 thefts in 1987. Brent Darby is No. 8 on the list with 58 in 2003.
* The 13 shots Stockman attempted from 3-point range is tied for the second most in a single game by an Ohio State player. Scoonie Penn’s 14 attempts vs. Penn State in 2000 is the all-time record for single game 3-point attempts.
* Senior Velimir Radinovic blocked two shots at Michigan to give him 59 total for his career, which is good enough for a tie at the No. 9 spot for career blocks with Bill Robinson (1989-91) and Dennis Hopson (1984-87). Clark Kellogg holds down the No. 8 position with 60 rejections from 1980-82.
Noting the Buckeyes
Redshirt sophomore Terence Dials has been known for his scoring touch around the basket. In 65 career games, he has made 197-of-371 shots from the floor for a shooting percentage of .531. He has improved his foul shooting this year, as well, hitting on 71 percent (75-105) of his shots. He has grabbed five or more rebounds in 18 of 27 games this year. His 19 points vs. Indiana in January pushed him over the 400 mark and his 16 points Feb. 21 eclipsed the 500-point plateau for his career (523). He needs three made field goals to reach 200 for his career, which includes 96 this season.
Junior Brandon Fuss-Cheatham’s playing time is up to 24 minutes a game this year. He has set career highs in scoring three times this season with 11 and 13 points, respectively, vs. Samford and Furman and then a 17-point effort at Iowa. He has 127 career assists, which includes 63 this year, a season best total. He reached 200 career points with 12 at Minnesota (216/2.8 ppg.)
Senior captain Velimir Radinovic reached 700 career points (733) for his Buckeye career. He’s averaged 6.8 points in 108 games at Ohio State. From the field, Radinovic has been much improved. As a senior, he is connecting on 66 percent of his shots (101-154). For his career, he has connected on 257-451 shots (.570). He could reach 500 career rebounds with 37 more this season. Radinovic is tied for the No. 9 spot in career blocks with 59. He is even with Bill Robinson (1989-91) and Dennis Hopson (1984-87). Clark Kellogg is No. 8 with 60 career blocks.
Junior Tony Stockman scored his 1,000 career point (1,063) with 16 vs. Iowa Feb. 18. He eclipsed the 900-point mark with 10 at Illinois. He came to Ohio State with 716 points after two years at Clemson. Stockman has proven to be a dependable scorer at the foul line, hitting 42-51 shots (.824) this year. He’s made 78 percent of his free throw attempts for his career (123-157). With five field goals vs. UMBC, Stockman reached 300 for his career. Of his 362 made shots for his career, 216 have come from 3-point range (60 percent). With 61 made 3-pointers this year, Stockman is now No. 6 in the Ohio State record book in single season made 3-point attempts. He jumped Boban Savovic (2002) and Jamie Skelton (1994), who both are tied with 60 made treys. Scoonie Penn is the next target with 65 makes during the 2000 campaign. Stockman also is tied for the No. 3 spot in made 3-pointers in a game with six vs. Northwestern. Sean Connolly was the last to make six in a game (Radford, 12/23/02). Stockman needs three rebounds to reach 200 for his career (197/2.3 rpg.). His 57 steals this year are a career high for a single season. He had 84 steals in two years at Clemson. With four thefts at Michigan, Stockman moved to the No. 9 position, knocking Jim Jackson out of the Top 10. Jackson had 55 steals in 1991. Stockman is tied with Jay Burson (1987) and trails No. 8 Brent Darby, who recorded 58 steals last year as a senior. Stockman’s six steals vs. Northwestern is tied for third for the most steals in a game at Ohio State. Several Buckeyes have recorded six steals in one contest. The last to do it was Brent Darby against Iowa Jan. 25, 2003.
With 14 points at Wisconsin, sophomore J.J. Sullinger reached 500 career points, which includes 273 scored as a Razorback. He has scored 538 career points, including 265 at Ohio State. His career scoring average is 9.6 points per game in 56 career appearances. He is averaging 9.8 points in 27 contests at Ohio State. Sullinger has made 9-of-11 foul shots in the last three games but has struggled for most of the year at the line (53-105/.505).
Nick Dials has made the most of his minutes this season. The New Haven, Ohio, native has 30 assists and 22 steals. Of his 21 field goals, 13 have been from 3-point range. He has connected on 88 percent of his foul shots this year (22-25). He is currently recovering from a stress fracture in his right wrist. He could be available for minutes off the bench this week vs. Penn State and or Illinois.
Ricardo Billings gives the Buckeyes quickness off the bench, usually in relief of Sullinger at the No. 3 guard spot. Billings averages 15 minutes a game as a reserve and part-time starter (6 gms.). He has demonstrated the ability to get to the basket in traffic with an ability to create shots down low with his slashing abilities along the baseline and in the painted area. He has nine made 3-pointers, 19 assists and 10 steals on the year.
Ivan Harris is coming along both offensively and defensively for the Buckeyes. The 2003 McDonald’s High School All-American has appeared in 25 games, starting two, for the Buckeyes for an average of just more than 10 minutes a game. He can score in bunches with a soft left-handed jumper from mid- to long-range accuracy. With added size and an increased attention to rebounding and defense, Harris could be a significant contributor down the stretch and in the future for the Buckeyes.
Shun Jenkins is winding down a career as a significant contributor for Ohio State as a backup center and forward. Jenkins, though undersized for work in the painted area, has managed to give quality minutes with desire and hard work. He has played in 26 games to date with little credit for the seldom-noticed dirty work he constantly handles without hesitation.
The Bucks in the Big Ten
Terence Dials rates as the No. 6 rebounder in the Big Ten with 6.6 a game. Velimir Radinovic is No. 1 in the conference in field goal percentage (.656), No. 2 in offensive rebounds (2.96) and No. 8 overall in rebounding with 6.3 a game. Dials is No. 7 in offensive rebounds (2.56). Tony Stockman is No. 3 in 3-pointers made per game (2.35) and No. 2 in steals (2.19).
Jagla Tops Offensive Charts for PSU
Junior center Jan Jagla leads Penn State with 13.6 points a game. Freshman guard Marlon Smith is second in scoring with 12.7 points a game. Jagla also is the squad’s top rebounder with an average of 7.9 a contest.
DeChellis in 1st Year at State College
Ed DeChellis is in his first season at Penn State. His seven-year career at East Tennessee State produced a record of 105-93 prior to his first year as the Nittany Lion mentor. He is 9-16 and 3-11 in Big Ten play.
T. Dials, Jenkins Lead Buckeyes vs. PSU
Senior Velimir Radinovic is the most experienced Buckeye in games vs. the Nittany Lions with four appearances during his career. He averages 5.0 points and 4.0 rebounds vs. Penn State. Sophomore Terence Dials averages 8.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in two appearances vs. Penn State. Senior Shun Jenkins averages 10.0 rebounds in games vs. the Nittany Lions.
Ohio State vs. the Big Ten Conference
Ohio State is playing its 91st season of Big Ten basketball in 2004. The Buckeyes own 17 regular season titles and one postseason tournament championship (2002). Ohio State’s last regular season title came in 2002, as well. The Buckeyes last won an outright title in 1992.
Ohio State vs. the Big Ten Illinois 59-98 Indiana 69-96 Iowa 65-71 Michigan 82-70 Michigan State 46-57 Minnesota 72-51 Northwestern 104-44 Penn State 14-13 Purdue 72-78 Wisconsin 80-58 Totals 665-636
On This Date, OSU 10-11
Ohio State is 10-11 in games played on March 3. The Buckeyes won the first three on this date and the last four, including a 93-87 victory at Penn State in 2001.
3/3/99 – W – @Kenton, 11-6
3/3/06 – W – Oberlin, 29-17
3/3/07 – W – Akron Buchtel, 26-22
3/3/16 – L – @Chicago, 12-27
3/3/17 – L – @Purdue, 17-32
3/3/24 – L – @Wisconsin, 20-30
3/3/30 – L – @Wisconsin, 23-32
3/3/34 – L – @Notre Dame, 21-33
3/3/36 – W – @Notre Dame, 28-23
3/3/47 – L – Michigan, 62-66
3/3/51 – L – @DePaul, 67-94
3/3/56 – W – Michigan State, 96-84
3/3/70 – L – @Iowa, 92-113(8)
3/3/73 – W – Illinois, 65-64
3/3/79 – L – @Purdue, 66-74(19)
3/3/83 – L – Illinois (ot), 73(14)-74
3/3/84 – L – @Purdue, 63-85(11)
3/3/90 – W – @Northwestern, 95-86
3/3/91 – W – Michigan State, 65(2)-64
3/3/92 – W – Michigan, 77(5)-66(18)
3/3/01 – W – @Penn State, 93-87
The Buckeyes at the VCA
Nov. 5, 2003 marked the five-year anniversary of the opening of Value City Arena. The 2003-04 campaign is the sixth season of basketball in the facility. Ohio State has a record of 76-19 (.800) at the VCA and has ranked among the Top 10 nationally in attendance each year. When all 19,200 seats are occupied, the Buckeyes have responded with a 21-6 record over the last six seasons. The nation’s best teams have also had their troubles with the Buckeyes at Value City Arena. Eighteen teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 have battled the Buckeyes at VCA. Ohio State has turned away 13 of those squads.
The Postseason Streak
Ohio State will be looking to qualify for postseason play for the sixth-consecutive season under head coach Jim O’Brien in 2003-04. The Buckeyes made four trips to the NCAA tournament from 1999-2002 before accepting a bid to play in the 2003 National Invitation Tournament a year ago. The current streak is the second longest in school history behind a 12-year stretch (1982-1993) in which Ohio State played in seven NCAA tournaments and made five NIT appearances.
O’Brien is tied with Eldon Miller for the most-consecutive postseason appearances while coaching the Buckeyes. Miller took three teams to NCAA tournament play and two to the NIT from 1982-86.
7 Buckeyes Spend Year in Residence
A total of seven student-athletes on the 2003-04 roster have spent a year on the Ohio State campus without playing in games. Sophomore Ricardo Billings sat out 2002-03 to satisfy academic requirements for eligibility this season. Sophomores 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 Shaun Smith (1999-00) did not play basketball his first season in Columbus before walking on for the 2000-01 campaign. Junior Matt Marinchick (2000-01) decided to redshirt his first year in Columbus to gain strength and experience. Finally, junior Tony Stockman and sophomore 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.
