Post Game Notes From Ohio State vs. No. 1 Illinois – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 6, 2005
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Attendance: 19,200
Value City Arena Notes
Value City Arena sold out for the second time this season(Michigan) and for the 29th time in its history. Overall, OSU is22-7 in VCA sellouts The win over Illinois gives the Buckeyes a14-2 record in Value City Arena on the season. Ohio State finishesthe season 15-2 overall in games played in Columbus this season.The game against Illinois marked the first time a No. 1 team hasplayed in VCA. Previously the highest-ranked teams to play at VCAwere No. 3 Illinois and No. 3 Michigan State in 2001. Ohio Stateimproved to 18-5 in sellout games at VCA against conferenceopponents. The win also moves the Buckeyes to 9-0 against rankedBig Ten teams when VCA is sold out. The Buckeyes now are 4-1against Illinois at VCA, 3-1 vs. ranked Illini. Ohio State is 91-22all-time in VCA.
Ohio State game notes
Illinois leads the all-time series with Ohio State 100-60 andholds a 39-38 advantage in Columbus. The 2004-05 series is split atone win apiece. In defeating Illinois Sunday, the Buckeyes are now131-212 all-time against ranked foes and 55-106 against Top-10teams. This season Ohio State is 2-3 against Top-25 squads. OhioState ends the 2005 regular season at 19-11 including an 8-8 recordin conference play. Their 19 wins are the second-most for an OhioState first year coach. Gary Williams posted a record of 20-13during his first season at Ohio State in 1987-88. Thad Mattaimproves his record to 2-0 against No. 1 team. Ohio State is 66-57all-time in games decided by one point or less including a 33-24mark at home. Ohio State’s 19 wins also are the most since 2001-02when the Buckeyes posted a mark of 24-8. With the win, Ohio Stateearned its eighth Big Ten win of the season, surpassing its sixvictories during the 2003-04 season. Ohio State is awarded the No.6 seed in the 2005 Big Ten Tournament. The Buckeyes will meet No.11-seed Penn State Thursday in Chicago, Ill. Sunday’s game markedthe 16th time in its history Ohio State has met the No. 1 team.Ohio State improves to 7-9 against No. 1 teams. Prior to defeatingIllinois Sunday, Ohio State last beat the No. 1 team Feb. 23, 1993in a 81-77 decision over then-No. 1 Indiana. Ohio State trailed38-27 in the first half but used a scoring run of 20-9 to end thegame and seal the victory. The Buckeye defense held the Illini to9-of-27 shooting. Ohio State held Illinois to only one field goalover the last 3:24 of play. The Buckeye bench outscored the Illiniby a 32-16 count. The 32 bench points are the second-highest of theseason, four shy of the 38 scored against Robert Morris Nov. 16,2004. Ohio State did not turn the ball over in the second half.Junior Matt Sylvester cashed in a career-high 25 points againstIllinois. Sylvester also grabbed five rebounds and dished out threeassists. With his 21 points against the Illini, junior TerenceDials finished the regular season scoring in double figures in 22of Ohio State’s last 25 contests. Dials also increased his careerpoints to 1,060 to move into 37th place on Ohio State’s all-timecareer points list. Dials and Sylvester’s 20 point outings mark thefirst time two different players scored 20 or more points sinceIvan Harris and Foster both scored 20 against LSU on Jan. 15.Junior guard Je’Kel Foster scored in double figures for the 10thtime this season, with 10. The Buckeyes are now 9-1 when Fosterscores in double figures.
