Buckeyes Travel to Des Moines to Face Iowa State – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 15, 2005
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Date Dec. 17, 2005
Opponent Iowa State (6-2)
Site Wells Fargo Arena (16,100)
Game Time 8 p.m. EST
Television ESPN2
Local TV None
TV Talent Dave Barnett (P-by-P), Tim McCormick (Expert Analysis), Jason Williams (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 (Expert Analysis)
BUCKEYES SET 3-POINT SHOOTING RECORD IN WIN VS. BELMONT
Ohio State connected on 10 of 19 3-point attempts vs. Belmont Wednesday to give the team 10 or more made 3-pointers in three-consecutive games, a first for the Buckeyes. Ohio State made 11 of 19 treys at St. Joe’s (Dec. 10) to start the current streak and then knocked down 14 of 32 against Norfolk State Monday. Ohio State has made 10 or more from beyond the arc in back-to-back games just five times dating back to the 1986-87 season, the first campaign for the 3-point shot. Opponents have connected on 10+ treys twice, with both streaks coming during the 1997-98 season. USC (13 of 33), Chattanooga (11 of 25), Kansas (10 of 25) and New Mexico State (16 of 39) set the record with four-consecutive games with 10+ 3-pointers vs. the Buckeyes between Dec. 20 and Dec. 29, 1997. Michigan (10 of 21), Iowa (10 of 24) and Penn State (10 of 22) turned in a streak of three games later that season between Feb. 11 and Feb. 16, 1998. Ohio State and opponents have hit 10 or more 3s in the same game on four occasions. Belmont connected on 10 of 18 in the loss to the Buckeyes Wednesday. Ohio State is 3-1 in those games. In all, the Buckeyes are 25-5 in the 30 games when scoring on 10 or more 3s while opponents are 29-28 in 57 games with double digits treys made. MATTA’S BUCKEYES ALREADY TAKING OVER 3-POINT SHOOTING RECORDS
In less than two full seasons as head coach of the Buckeyes, Thad Matta has put his mark in the OSU record book. Six of the Top 10 team 3-point shooting performances have been established in the last two years, including the Top 4 performances. Ohio State knocked down 18 treys in a double overtime loss at LSU last year to set the record for 3s made in a game at Ohio State. The Buckeyes made 17 vs. Chattanooga last November and then knocked down 15 at Clemson in early December a year ago. The No. 4 effort was put in the books last Monday when the Buckeyes connected on 14 of 32 3-point attempts. Ohio State made a dozen 3s vs. Iowa last year, the eighth most made in a game and the 11 made last Saturday at St. Joe’s ranks 10th. The 32 attempts vs. Norfolk State rank No. 3 all time for 3-pointers attempted by the Buckeyes in a game. Matta’s teams own eight of the Top 10 spots for 3-pointers attempted in a game at OSU. His teams have made 10 or more 3s in a game 13 times and have a 10-3 record in those games. Matta’s opponents at Ohio State have made 10 or more just three times and are 1-2 in those games.
BUCKEYE OFFENSE CLICKS EARLY, FIVE AVERAGE DOUBLE DIGITS
Ohio State is averaging 81.2 points in the first six games of the season, including the most recent win, an 85-75 win vs. Belmont. Opponents average 64.2 ppg. The Buckeyes have made 52 percent of their field goals (162-314), while allowing opponents to make just 41 percent (147-363). From the foul line, Ohio State has taken 151 shots, making 108 (.715), while foes have gone to the line 77 times, making 70 (.649). The Buckeyes own the rebound advantage (35.8-30.5). Balance has been the norm with five players averaging 10 or more points a game. Je’Kel Foster, fresh from a career-high 24 points at St. Joseph’s, leads the team with 15.3 points a game. Ron Lewis (12.7 ppg.), Terence Dials (11.2 ppg.), Jamar Butler (11.4 ppg.) and J.J. Sullinger (13.0 ppg.) all follow. Sullinger averages 9.3 rebounds a game to pace the squad.
BUCKEYES SHOW BALANCE ACROSS THE BOARD With five players averaging 10 or more points, the Buckeyes also show balance in other areas. Seven players have played 100 or more minutes with an average of 19.7 or more minutes a game. eight players have made 10 or more field goals, have taken 18 or more shots. Six have made four or more 3-pointers while five have taken 13 or more treys. Five players connect on 75 percent or better from the foul line. Five Buckeyes have 11 or more assists with the leader, sophomore Jamar Butler, handing out 21.
OHIO STATE LOOKS TO MOVE TO 7-0
The Buckeyes, off to a 6-0 start, face Iowa State with the chance to move to 7-0 for the first time since the 1990-91 season when the Buckeyes started the season 17-0 before a loss at Michigan State (1/31/91). Ohio State has been 7-0 on eight occasions all-time.
HOT-HANDED GUARDS
The overall play of the four-man guard rotation has been consistent throughout the early going for the Buckeyes. Je’Kel Foster, Ron Lewis, Jamar Butler and Sylvester Mayes have made 82 of 168 shots from the field (.488) and 50 percent of their 3-point attempts (42-84). Foster leads the way making 67 percent of his field goals (32-48) and 55 percent from long range (16-29). Lewis also is shooting well at a 50 percent clip (21-42) from the field. The group also accounts for 58 of 96 assists and 33 of 50 steals to date.
DIALS CLIMBING SCORING CHART
Senior Terence Dials has 1,145 career points, good for the No. 29 spot all-time in scoring at Ohio State. He scored 509 points a season ago and with a similar season in 2005-06, Dials has a chance to crack the Top 10 all-time in career scoring. Robin Freeman (1954-56) scored 1,597 career points during his Ohio State career and is 10th all-time in OSU scoring annals. Dials needs 453 or more points to reach the Top 10. The most recent Buckeye to crack the Top 10 was Michael Redd, who currently plays for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. He finished his OSU career in 2000 with 1,879 career points.
DIALS CLOSE TO 700 CLUB
Senior Terence Dials is on track to become one of Ohio State’s Top 10 rebounders of all time. He has 660 boards and will become one of just 12 Buckeyes to reach the 700 mark with 40 more rebounds this season. If he reached the 253 total rebounds he grabbed as a junior, he will tie for the No. 5 spot all time with Clark Kellogg (1980-82) with 872. There are four players with 900 or more rebounds in Ohio State history led by Jerry Lucas (1960-62) with 1,411, a total reached in just three seasons. Herb Williams (1978-81) is No. 2 with 1,111. Perry Carter (989, 1988-91) and Bill Hosket (910, 1966-68) are the only other two players to record 900 or more career rebounds. Hosket’s total also was recorded in three years.
1,000 X 3
Ohio State’s roster could soon contain three players who have scored 1,000 or more points in their collegiate careers. Terence Dials already has accomplished the feat. His total stands at 1,145 points scored to date, good for 29th on the all-time list at OSU. Senior J.J. Sullinger has scored 964 career points. He played one season at Arkansas, scoring 273 points in 2001-02, and now is in his third year at Ohio State. Junior Ron Lewis, who transferred to Ohio State with 877 points to his credit after two seasons at Bowling Green, has a career total of 953, which includes 76 scored as a Buckeye.
CYCLONES TAKE BREAK FOR FINALS AFTER 6-2 START
Iowa State won three of its last four games, with all three victories against teams from Iowa, before taking a break for final exams. The Cyclones downed the University of Iowa the last time out, 72-60, Dec. 9 in Ames after winning at Drake Dec. 5, 89-74. Fresno State won at ISU Dec. 3 84-77 following an Iowa State home win vs. Northern Iowa Nov. 29, 68-61. ISU opened the season with wins over Mountain State, Portland State and Howard before the team’s first loss of the season to Iona in Ames, 89-72.
STINSON LEADS CYCLONES
Curtis Stinson, a junior guard from the Bronx, N.Y., is the leading scorer for the Cyclones with an average of 20.0 points a game. He is followed by forward Rahshon Clark, a sophomore from Queens, N.Y., with 15.9 ppg., and Will Blalock, a junior guard from Boston, at 13.3 ppg. Stinson is the team’s top rebounder with an average of 5.5 a game.
OHIO STATE ON THIS DATE
The Buckeyes are 10-5 in games played on this date. Ohio State has won the last two games on this date and seven of the last nine.
| Date | W/L | Opponent | Score |
| 12/17/21 | L | Ohio Wesleyan | 19-21 |
| 12/17/27 | W | Muskingum | 28-27 |
| 12/17/28 | L | Pittsburgh | 26-34 |
| 12/17/55 | W | @St. Louis | 89-83(17) |
| 12/17/60 | W | @Wichita St. | 93(1)-82(16) |
| 12/17/73 | L | @Virginia Tech | 67-68 |
| 12/17/75 | W | Toledo | 76-72 |
| 12/17/77 | W | @Washington State (ot) | 79-73 |
| 12/17/83 | W | Ohio University (ot) | 73-69 |
| 12/17/88 | W | @Dayton | 104(14)-76 |
| 12/17/90 | W | Tennessee State | 103(7)-66 |
| 12/17/94 | L | %vs. Cleveland State | 73-75 |
| 12/17/97 | L | @SW Louisiana | 64-68 |
| 12/17/98 | W | Florida-Atlantic | 99-70 |
| 12/17/03 | W | Furman | 70-68 |
THE IOWA STATE SERIES
Ohio State is 3-0 in the series with the Cyclones with single victories at home, away and a neutral site. The first contest between the schools took place in Columbus Dec. 20, 1965, an 87-70 Buckeye victory. Ohio State then played in Ames, Iowa, Dec. 3, 1966, a close 79-77 Ohio State win. The teams did not meet again until March 4, 1985, in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Tulsa, Okla. Ohio State advanced in the tournament with a 75-64 victory. The teams will meet again next season in Columbus.
OHIO STATE VS. THE BIG 12
The Buckeyes have met current members of the Big 12 Conference on 43 previous occasions. The Buckeyes have won 20 of those games. The Buckeyes last played a Big 12 member in November 2004, a 77-71 win vs. Texas Tech in Dallas. Including the game vs. the Cyclones this year, Ohio State has played a Big 12 Conference member in six of the last seven seasons.
OSU vs. The Big 12 Conference
| Baylor | 0-0 |
| Colorado | 0-0 |
| Iowa State | 3-0 |
| Kansas | 3-5 |
| Kansas State | 0-2 |
| Missouri | 4-6 |
| Nebraska | 4-2 |
| Oklahoma | 3-4 |
| Oklahoma State | 0-2 |
| Texas | 1-0 |
| Texas A&M | 1-1 |
| Texas Tech | 1-1 |
| Totals | 20-23 |
SEVEN ESPN PLUS OHIO STATE GAMES TO APPEAR ON ESPNU
ESPNU, an ESPN cable property which televises a variety of college sporting events, will carry seven Ohio State men’s basketball games this season, the Big Ten announced Nov. 22. The games will be produced by ESPN Regional Television and will be carried locally in Columbus on WBNS 10 TV as an originally scheduled ESPN Plus telecast. ESPN Plus games are typically carried by WOIO (CBS) or WAOH (independent) in Cleveland, Ohio; WHIO (CBS) or UPN 17 in Dayton, Ohio; and WYTV in Youngstown, Ohio, in addition to WBNS (CBS) in Columbus. The Buckeyes’ games added to ESPNU are Norfolk State (W 92-59, Dec. 12), Belmont (W 85-75, Dec. 14), Tennessee State (Dec. 23), Louisiana State (Dec. 31), at Penn State (Jan. 21), Florida A&M (Jan. 30) and Purdue (March 5).
OHIO STATE VS. BELMONT
J.J. Sullinger scored 14 points in the second half on the way to a double-double to help Ohio State down Belmont, 85-75. The Buckeyes led by 14 in the first half and carried a 12-point lead into the half before the Bruins took a 48-47 lead on Andy Wicke’s layup with 13:26 left. Ohio State called a 30-second timeout, then reclaimed the lead on a layup and a 3-pointer by Sullinger, who finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds. The Buckeyes also got 15 points from Je’Kel Foster, who was 2-5 from beyond the arc. Jamar Butler had 15 points and seven assists and Ron Lewis added 11 points. Ohio State opened on a 13-2 run, keyed by 3-pointers from Sullinger, Foster and Matt Sylvester. Wicke had 14 of his 21 points in the second half to help Belmont close the gap. Josh Goodwin added 14 points while Boomer Herndon had 10 points, six rebounds and a pair of blocks for the Bruins.
NOTING THE BELMONT GAME
* This was the first meeting between Ohio State and Belmont.
* After using three different starting lineups the first three games of the season, Ohio State has stayed with the same starting five in each of the last four games.
* The Buckeyes have won the opening tip in all six games this season.
* Ohio State starts out 6-0 for the third time in the last 10 years (also 1998-99 and 2001-02). The last two times, the Buckeyes advanced to the NCAA tournament and finished the seasons with single-digit losses in the tourney.
* This is the ninth time the Buckeyes have started 6-0 since the 1950-51 season.
* Ohio State had a season-high 11 steals.
* The Buckeyes have grabbed at least 30 total rebounds every game this season.
* Ohio State has held opponents under 50 percent shooting the entire season.
* The Buckeyes have led by at least 13 points in all six games this season: Chicago State (33); Butler (13); Virginia Tech (22); St. Joseph’s (18); Norfolk State (36); Belmont (14).
* Four of the five Buckeyes averaging double-figure points hit the two-figure mark in the game: Je’Kel Foster (15.4 avg./18 points), Ron Lewis (13.0 avg./11 points), Jamar Butler (10.5 avg./12 points) and J.J. Sullinger (11.0 avg./23 points).
* Four different Buckeyes have led the team in scoring in six games this season: Ron Lewis (Chicago State – 16), Je’Kel Foster (Chicago State – 16, St. Joseph’s – 24); Terence Dials (Butler – 24); J.J. Sullinger (Va. Tech – 14, Norfolk State – 15, Belmont – 23).
* Terence Dials had seven rebounds to increase his career total to 660. He needs just 40 to become the 12th Buckeye to reach the 700-rebound plateau.
* Matt Terwilliger scored a career high eight points.
* With 11 points in the game, Ron Lewis has scored 10-plus points in all six games this season.
* Jamar Butler tied his career high with seven assists and has dished out 14 in the last two games. He now needs five assists to reach 100 as a Buckeye.
* The Buckeyes now are 15-2 when Je’Kel Foster hits three or more 3-pointers and 15-1 when he reaches 10 or more points. Foster hit three 3-pointers and had 18 points in the game.
* J.J. Sullinger led the team in points (23) and rebounds (10) for the second double-double of his career. His other double-double came Dec. 16, 2003 against Virginia Tech (22 points, 11 rebounds).
* Sullinger’s double-double also was the second scored by a Buckeye this season. Je’Kel Foster had the other Dec. 10 at St. Joseph’s (24 points, 10 rebounds).
* Ohio State has trailed for a total of 1:19 this season and has been tied with the opponent just seven times this season. Below is a breakdown of the times the Buckeyes have led, been tied and trailed in the games this season:
| Opp. | time in lead | time tied | time trailed | total |
| Chicago St. | 39:47 | :13 | none | 40:00 |
| Butler | 44:06 | :54 | none | 45:00 |
| Va. Tech | 39:31 | :29 | none | 40:00 |
| St. Joe’s | 39:41 | :19 | none | 40:00 |
| Norfolk St. | 37:26 | 2:06 | :28 | 40:00 |
| Belmont | 37:38 | 1:31 | :51 | 40:00 |
BUCKEYES CLOSE ON 100 Ws AT VCA
Ohio State is playing in its eighth season at Value City Arena in 2005-06. Since the facility opened for the 1998-99 campaign, the squad has won 96 of 118 games for a winning percentage of .813.
DON’T TOUCH THAT DIALS
Senior center Terence Dials is the top returning scorer for the Buckeyes. He led the team with nearly 16 points and eight rebounds a game a season ago. He was able to post those numbers despite Ohio State setting numerous Top 10 individual and team 3-point shooting records. Dials has improved his scoring and rebounding numbers in each of his seasons at Ohio State. He reached 500 points and 250 rebounds for the season as a junior and eclipsed 1,000 points and 600 boards for his career.
A JOLT TO THE OFFENSE
Ohio State lost 12.0 points a game with the graduation (sociology) of Tony Stockman. In his roster spot enters Ron Lewis, a transfer from Bowling Green, who led the Falcons with an average of 17.0 points a contest as a sophomore. He will have two years of eligibility with the Buckeyes.
Lewis scored 877 points in two years at BGSU. He was a prolific foul shooter during his tenure at Bowling Green, knocking down 81 percent (340-420) of his free throws in his two-year career. Despite his ability to score, Lewis set up his teammates with 164 assists while recording 60 steals in 60 games as a Falcon.
ADDED “O” PART II
Ron Lewis is expected to add a threat offensively but he is not the only addition known to put the ball in the cylinder. Sylvester Mayes averaged 19.6 points at Redlands (Okla.) Community College a year ago. The 6-foot guard from South Bend, Ind., scored 609 points, 17th nationally in the junior college ranks, as a sophomore. His teams won 59 games with just six losses the last two seasons. Mayes also added 88 assists, 96 rebounds and 91 steals (22nd nationally) last year. Mayes scored 11 points and dished out nine assists in his Ohio State debut vs. Chicago State Nov. 20.
Brayden Bell, a freshman from Salt Lake City, Utah, also is expected to give the Buckeyes a lift offensively. Despite his 6-foot-8-inch, 255-pound frame, Bell has demonstrated an ability to step away from the basket to knock down the 3-pointer and mid-range jumper. He averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds as a Brighton High School senior a year ago.
A PAIR OF FIRST TEAMERS
Sylvester Mayes was a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) First Team All-American for Redlands Community College as a sophomore. He shot 51 percent from the field (201-397), 42 percent from 3-point range (68-164) and 77 percent from the foul line (139-181) in leading Redlands to a 27-4 record in 2004-05. He is one of two first team NJCAA All-Americans on the Ohio State roster. Je’Kel Foster earned the same recognition before joining the Buckeyes a year ago. Foster played at Chipola (Fla.) Junior College. Last year, Foster averaged 7.7 points a game for Ohio State while knocking down 43 percent of his 3-point attempts (62-145). He added 78 assists and 43 steals as well. He also grabbed 104 rebounds. His all-around effort earned him a starting spot the final 12 games of the season, helping Ohio State to a 20-12 overall record.
RANKED TEAMS ADUNDANT ON OSU SCHEDULE IN 2005-06
The Buckeyes are scheduled to face several teams ranked in the USA Today/ESPN and the Associated Press polls this season. Michigan State (No. 12 in USA Today/No. 12 in AP), Illinois (8/9), Iowa (23/22) and Indiana (18/18) will face the Buckeyes, who are in the Top 25 rankings in 25th place (USA Today) with 62 votes and just outside the AP Top 25 at No. 27 with 108 votes. Other teams receiving votes in the polls scheduled to face Ohio State this year are: Wisconsin, who is ranked No. 24 this week in the AP Poll and is receiving votes in the coaches poll, Michigan, LSU and Iowa State. The Buckeyes play 11 games against the eight teams on the 2005-06 schedule in the Top 25 or receiving preseason votes.
TOP 5 OF 6
Though Matta is looking forward to the newcomers and their possible contributions, he has not overlooked the return of five of the top six scorers from last season. Senior Terence Dials, a candidate for first team All-Big Ten honors this year, is the top returning scorer at 15.9 points a game. The 6-9 center also is the team’s top returning rebounder with an average of 7.9 a contest. Also back are senior guard J.J. Sullinger (9.7 ppg./5.4 rpg.), senior wing Matt Sylvester (8.0 ppg.), senior guard Je’Kel Foster (7.7 ppg.) and junior wing Ivan Harris (7.3 ppg.). In all, Ohio State returns 74 percent of its offense and 81 percent of its rebounding.
MATTA GOES FOR 6TH 20
Thad Matta doesn’t know what it’s like to end a season with fewer than 20 wins during his head coaching career. The second year Ohio State coach came to the Buckeyes with a streak of four 20+ win seasons at Butler (24 wins in 2001) and Xavier (26 in all three years from 2002-04). With 20 victories a year ago at Ohio State, Matta is one of two coaches nationally to record 20 or more wins in the first five seasons of his coaching career. Mark Few of Gonzaga is the other with 20+ in all six years with the Bulldogs.
CLOSING ON 2 MILLION
For the seventh-consecutive season, all of which played at Value City Arena, Ohio State finished among the Top 18 teams nationally in average attendance in 2004-05. The Buckeyes averaged 13,850 fans in 16 home games at VCA. Overall, in 118 games at VCA, a total of 1,916,579 fans, 16,242 per game, have helped the Buckeyes to a record of 96-22 at the facility. Ohio State will exceed the 2 million mark in home attendance at VCA during the 2005-06 season when fan No. 146,962 enters the building. The Buckeyes have won 14 or more home games in five of the seven years at VCA and 11 or more in six of seven.
OHIO NATIVES DOMINATE BUCKEYE ROSTER
Eight of the 11 players on the roster this year chose to stay in state, play for the Buckeyes and pursue their education in Columbus. Seniors Terence Dials (Youngstown), Matt Sylvester (Cincinnati), J.J. Sullinger (Columbus); juniors Ron Lewis (Columbus) and Ivan Harris (Springfield); sophomores Jamar Butler (Lima) and Matt Terwilliger (Troy) and freshman Samuel Payne (Columbus) all played high school basketball for their hometown teams in Ohio.
BUCKEYES LOOK TO ELDERS
Terence Dials, J.J. Sullinger and Matt Sylvester are the Top 3 returning scorers for Ohio State. The three have been in Columbus a combined total of 14 years entering the 2005-06 season. All were fifth-year seniors when school started in September. Both Dials and Sylvester have spent all five years at Ohio State with each missing a season with injury. Dials sat out most of the 2002-03 season with a back ailment while Sylvester missed the majority of 2001-02 with leg and back injuries. Sullinger played one year at Arkansas before leaving for Ohio State. He sat out the 2002-03 season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules. In addition to these three, Je’Kel Foster again will be a significant contributor in 2005-06. He too is a senior with three years playing experience, two at the junior college level and one season in Columbus.
UNDERCLASSMEN WILL GET A SHOT
With experience throughout the roster this year, Ohio State’s returning underclassmen still will get opportunities to perform. Sophomore Jamar Butler started the final 12 games of the season at the point position and is the early leader to run the Ohio State offense this year. Matt Terwilliger, a reserve post player a year ago, has bulked up in the offseason. He will work with newcomer Brayden Bell to add depth in the post behind Dials.
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 2004. Ohio State played host to the first and second rounds in March 2004, as it will in 2007. Games were played at Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus, which will again be the site of the event in 2007.
