Ohio State Welcomes No. 15 Wisconsin Into Value City Arena – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 17, 2006
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Date Jan. 18, 2006
Opponent No. 15 Wisconsin (14-2, 4-0)
Site Value City Arena (18,500)
Game Time 8:30 EST
Television ESPN2
Local TV None
TV Talent Brent Musburger (P-by-P), Steve Lavin (Expert Analysis), Erin Andrews (Sideline)
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 Face Third Ranked Foe in Last Four Games
Wisconsin travels to Ohio State rated No. 13 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll and No. 15 in the Associated Press media rankings. The Badgers are the second-consecutive team and third in four games to take on the Buckeyes while ranked among the Top 25 nationally. After the Badgers, the Buckeyes are set to face ranked opponents in at least four more games. Iowa (Jan. 28) cracked the Top 25 again this week in the Nos. 23 (AP) and 25 (coaches) positions. Ohio State plays in Iowa City this season. The Buckeyes play host to Illinois (7/5) Feb. 12 and are at Wisconsin Feb. 15 and Michigan State (11/12) Feb. 22. Michigan is receiving votes for Top 25 consideration in both polls this week. The Wolverines host Ohio State Feb. 9 and travel to Columbus Feb. 25.
2 Million at VCA
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 123 games at VCA, a total of 1,993,450 fans, 16,206 per game, have helped the Buckeyes to a record of 100-23 at the facility. Ohio State will exceed the 2 million mark in home attendance at VCA vs. the Badgers after 18,500 were on hand vs. Michigan State Sunday. 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 State vs. The Badgers
Ohio State owns a 19-game advantage in the all-time series with the Badgers with an 80-61 edge since the first meeting in 1905. Ohio Sate is 50-20 in games played at Ohio State while Wisconsin is 40-29 in Madison. When Ohio State carries an Associated Press ranking into the matchup, the Buckeyes are 18-7. When Wisconsin is ranked, Ohio State is 5-7 against the Badgers. The teams have met just twice all-time when both teams are ranked among the Top 25. Ohio State has won both those contests. The last time both teams were ranked in the series was during the 1998-99 season. Ohio State won both meetings that year. Wisconsin was ranked No. 19 in the first meeting, an overtime win for the unranked Buckeyes in Madison, 78-74. When the squads met later that season, No. 10 Ohio State dropped No. 16 Wisconsin, 63-54.
Ohio State vs. Ranked Teams at Value City Arena
Ohio State is 15-8 overall vs. ranked teams at Value City Arena, including the 65-64 win vs. No. 1 Illinois that ended the 2004-05 regular season. When ranked Big Ten teams take the court at VCA, Ohio State is 15-5. Wisconsin was ranked No. 21 in the Associated Press poll last week and No. 17 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll.
Sullinger, Dials Lead OSU vs. Wisconsin
Ohio State seniors J.J. Sullinger and Terence Dials each average double digits to lead the Buckeyes in games vs. the Badgers. Sullinger averages 13.0 points in four career matchups vs. UW. Dials, with five career games vs. Wisconsin, averages 12.2 points a game. Dials is the leading rebounder with an average of 7.0 rebounds a game. Dials connects on 57.8 percent of his shots vs. the Badgers (26-45).
The Buckeyes at Sold-Out VCA
The game vs. Wisconsin could be Ohio State’s second-consecutive sellout of the season at VCA (18,500). Ohio State is 23-7 in sold-out games at Value City Arena, which includes a 19-5 record vs. Big Ten opponents and a 9-1 record vs. ranked conference foes in sold-out games.
Dials’ Production Heats Up
Senior Terence Dials is connecting on 60 percent of his field goals (50-83) and 72 percent of his foul shots (28-39) over the last seven games for the Buckeyes for an average of 18.3 points a game. He has reached 20 or more points in three of the last six contests. He played just 13 minutes in a 104-69 win vs. Penn State Jan. 5 in the Big Ten opener, scoring five points. He tallied 19 vs. Tennessee State Dec. 23. Dials is a career .558 shooter from the field (490-878) and is scoring at above that percentage this season (80-143/.559). His 1,287 career points rates No. 22 all-time at Ohio State and his 720 career rebounds rate tied for 9th with John Havlicek (1960-62).
Noting the Buckeyes…
* Sophomore Jamar Butler is shooting 47 percent from the field (35-74), up from 31 percent (36-108) as a freshman … he has made 20 of 43 (.465) 3-pointers this year–(14-61/.230 a year ago) … averages 5.1 assists per game and has seven or more in five games this year … scoring average up to 8.8 ppg. from 3.6 ppg. as a freshman.
* Senior Terence Dials scored 19 points vs. MSU to pass Clark Kellogg on the all-time scoring list Sunday … Kellogg was the expert analyst in the game vs. the Spartans … needs 10 FGs to reach 500 made as a Buckeye … connecting on 71 percent from the foul line (49-66), his best single season percentage as a Buckeye and an improvement from his .617 effort a year ago (113-183).
* Senior Je’Kel Foster is one of just four Buckeyes all-time to record six or more steals in a single game … Troy Taylor (1982-85), Curtis Wilson (1984-88) and Scoonie Penn (1999-2000) are the others … a career 49 percent shooter from the field (152-312) … foul shooting pct. has improved tom 65 pct. as a junior (17-26) to 84 pct. this year (32-38) … needs one made 3-pointer to reach 100 for his career (99-220/.450).
* Senior J.J. Sullinger is 2 rebounds shy of 500 for his career … reached 100 career steals with one theft vs. MSU Sunday … working on a third-consecutive 300-point season at Ohio State (143/10.2 ppg.).
* Senior Matt Sylvester has made a last second 3-pointer to win games in each of the last two seasons … his trey with 5 seconds left gave OSU a stunning 65-64 win vs. then No. 1 Illinois … another triple at the 5 second mark gave the Buckeyes the come-from-behind win vs. LSU earlier this season … working on 600 points as a Buckeye (585/6.1 ppg.).
Foster on Pace to Set OSU 3-Point Shooting Records
Je’Kel Foster is on pace to become one of just three Buckeyes all-time to knock down 50 or more 3-pointers in a single season twice during their Ohio State careers. Foster made 62 as a junior and has made 37 to date this season. Scoonie Penn (1999-2000) made 88 in 1999 and 65 in 2000. Tony Stockman (2004-05) knocked down 73 as a junior and 66 a year ago. Foster is one of just 11 players in history to make 50 or more in a season. The feat has been accomplished 13 times since 1986-87 when the 3-point shot was introduced in NCAA Division I. Foster also is on pace to become the single season and career leader in 3-point shooting percentage. He is making 49.3 percent of his treys this season and will qualify for the all-time lead officially with a minimum of 50 makes this year. Foster needs one more made 3-pointer to reach 100 for his career. He will then qualify for the career lead in 3-point field goal percentage. He has made .450 (99-220) for his career.
Matta Out to Top 3 Start at Ohio State
Thad Matta will coach his 50th game of his OSU career Jan. 30 against Florida A&M with a chance to be one of the top three coaches all-time at OSU in winning percentage after the first 50 games at Ohio State. Matta has 46 games under his belt with a 32-14 record to date (.696). The Buckeyes will need to win the next four games for Matta to tie for the top spot from Fred Taylor (1959-76) and Randy Ayers (1990-97), who both won 36 of their first 50 contests at Ohio State for a winning percentage of .720. Matta is out to a 12-2 start in this his second season with the Buckeyes. Ayers started 17-0 in year two (1990-91). Taylor guided the Buckeyes to a national title in his second season with a 25-3 record (1959-60).
| 1st 50 Gms at OSU | |||
| Coach (Yrs. at OSU) | W | L | Pct. |
| Fred R. Taylor (1959-76) | 36 | 14 | .720 |
| Randy Ayers (1990-97) | 36 | 14 | .720 |
| Thad Matta (2005- present) | 32 | 14 | .696 |
| Harold G. Olsen (1923-46) | 32 | 18 | .640 |
| Lynn W. St. John (1912-19) | 31 | 19 | .620 |
| Gary Williams (1987-89) | 30 | 20 | .600 |
| Floyd S. Stahl (1951-58) | 17 | 33 | .515 |
| George M. Trautman (1920-22) | 24 | 26 | .480 |
| William H.H. Dye (1947-50) | 24 | 26 | .480 |
| Jim O’Brien (1998-2004) | 23 | 27 | .460 |
| Eldon Miller (1977-86) | 21 | 29 | .420 |
Buckeyes Look for 9th Non-Conference Home Win
Since Value City Arena opened for the 1998-99 season, Ohio State has won at least seven home games vs. non-conference teams in seven of eight seasons, which includes the Buckeyes’ 8-0 record vs. non-Big Ten foes at VCA this year with one game remaining on the non-conference schedule. Florida A&M travels to Columbus Jan. 30, 2006. The Buckeyes have been undefeated in home non-conference games at VCA twice. OSU was 7-0 in 1998-99 and 8-0 a year ago. The Buckeyes were 8-1 for three-consecutive seasons starting with 1999-2000 through 2001-02. Ohio State is 59-6 overall vs. non-conference foes at VCA. Thad Matta is 16-0 as a Buckeye head coach against non-league foes at VCA.
Buckeyes Win 100th Game at Value City Arena
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 100 of 123 games (.813).
Foster Earns National, League Honor After 3-0 Week for OSU
Senior Je’Kel Foster averaged 18 points over three wins over Norfolk State (12/12), Belmont (12/14) and Iowa State (12/17) to earn Sporting News national player of the week honors (Dec. 11-17). Foster also was the Big Ten player of the week after knocking down 63 percent of his field goals (17-27) and 58 percent (11-19) of his 3-point FG tries for the week. His 28 points, on 9 of 12 shooting from the field and 6 of 8 from 3-point range, set a career high vs. Iowa State in a neutral-site contest vs. the Cyclones in Des Moines, Iowa. Foster leads Ohio State with 15.8 points a game. Foster leads the Buckeyes with 28 steals and has made a team-best 83 percent of his foul shots (30-36).
Buckeyes Set 3-Point Shooting Record in Win vs. Iowa State
Ohio State connected on 10 of 22 3-point attempts vs. Iowa State Dec. 17 to give the team 10 or more made 3-pointers in four-consecutive games, a first for the Buckeyes. Ohio State made 10 of 19 vs. Belmont (Dec. 14), 11 of 19 treys at St. Joe’s (Dec. 10) to start the streak and then knocked down 14 of 32 against Norfolk State Dec. 12. Ohio State has made 10 or more from beyond the arc in back-to-back games just six times dating back to the 1986-87 season, the first campaign for the 3-point shot. Opponents have connected on 10+ treys in three-consecutive games or more 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 Dec. 14. Ohio State is 3-1 in those games. In all, the Buckeyes are 28-5 in the 33 games when scoring on 10 or more 3s while opponents are 30-28 in 58 games with double digits treys made.
OSU 3-pt. Shooting Streak
| Opp. | 3 FG-A | Pct. | W/L, Score | Date |
| St. Joe’s | 11-19 | .539 | W, 81-74 | 12/10 |
| Norfolk St. | 14-32 | .438 | W, 92-59 | 12/12 |
| Belmont | 10-19 | .526 | W, 85-75 | 12/14 |
| Iowa St. | 10-22 | .455 | W, 70-67 | 12/17 |
| Totals | 45-92 | .489 |
Sullinger’s Shooting Effort vs. PSU One of OSU’s Best All-Time
J.J. Sullinger connected on all eight of his field goal attempts in the win vs. Penn State on his way to 18 points. He connected on both of his 3-point tries and eclipsed the 1,000-point plateau as well. In addition, Sullinger is now one of just four Ohio State players all-time to make eight or more shots in a game without a miss. Sullinger joins Brian Brown (9-9 vs. Florida State Nov. 23, 2000), John Havlicek (9-9 at Michigan Feb. 4, 1961) and Jerry Lucas (8-8 vs. Wisconsin Feb. 27, 1960).
Buckeyes Among Top 20 in Both AP and Coaches Polls
Ohio State cracked the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time (Dec. 19) since March of 2002 when the Buckeyes finished the season rated No. 14. The Buckeyes are currently No. 19 in both the AP poll and the USA Today/Coaches Poll. The Buckeyes are 313-102 (.754) when playing as a ranked team in the AP poll. Ohio State has cracked the poll at least once in 28 seasons since its first appearance in 1948-49. The Buckeyes are 31-4 overall and 11-1 vs. non-conference foes at Value City Arena when ranked by AP. The only non-conference loss was a 59-54 setback to Notre Dame in the opening round of the 1999 preseason National Invitation Tournament. OSU was No. 4 in that Nov. 16 game vs. the Fighting Irish.
Lewis Gives Buckeyes Offensive Spark off Bench
In the first 14 games, Ohio State has had 51 double figure games for an average of 3.6 players per game with 10 or more points. Ron Lewis and Je’Kel Foster have scored in double digits in 11 of 14 games this season to lead the Buckeyes in double-digit outings. Lewis has scored 10 or more off the bench nine times this season.
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 Dec. 12 vs. Norfolk St. when the Buckeyes connected on 14 of 32 3-point attempts. Matta’s teams have made 10 or more 3s in a game 16 times and have a 13-3 record in those games. Matta’s opponents at Ohio State have made 10 or more four times and are 2-2 in those games.
Buckeye Offense Clicks, Four Average Double Digits
Ohio State is averaging 79.9 points in the first 14 games of the season. Opponents average 66.2 ppg. The Buckeyes have made 49 percent of their field goals (388-792), while allowing opponents to make just 44 percent (358-822). From the foul line, Ohio State has taken 299 shots, making 217 (.726), while foes have gone to the line 191 times, making 129 (.675). Balance has been the norm with five players averaging 8.8 or more points a game. Terence Dials leads the team with 14.9 ppg. Je’Kel Foster is next with 14.6 points a game. Ron Lewis (12.6 ppg.), and J.J. Sullinger (10.2 ppg.) follow. Jamar Butler tallies 8.8 ppg. Dials averages 7.2 rebounds a game to pace the squad.
Matta Improves to 21-3 in Non-Conference Games at OSU
Ohio State won 11 of 14 non-Big Ten Conference games in 2004-05, the first season at OSU for head coach Thad Matta. With the 10-0 start to date in non-conference action in 2005-06, Matta improved to 21-3 against non-league foes. The Buckeyes are 17-0 in Columbus and 16-0 in Value City Arena under Matta’s direction. Ohio State defeated Chattanooga 84-67 in St. John Arena, the former home of the Buckeyes on the OSU campus, a year ago. Ohio State is 8-1 in the month of November with Matta at the helm and 13-1 in December.
Dials Climbing Scoring Chart
Senior Terence Dials has 1,287 career points, good for the No. 22 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 310 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 Joins 700 Club, Top 10
Senior Terence Dials reached 700 career rebounds with eight at Indiana (1/7/06). He has 720 boards to become one of 12 Buckeyes to reach the 700 mark all-time. If he reaches 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. Dials is tied for ninth all-time with John Havlicek (1960-62).
1,000 X 3
Ohio State’s roster contains three players who have scored 1,000 or more points in their collegiate careers. Terence Dials, Ron Lewis and J.J. Sullinger all have reached the 1,000-point plateau. Dials’ total stands at 1,287 points scored to date, good for 22nd on the all-time list at OSU. Lewis, who transferred to Ohio State with 877 points to his credit after two seasons at Bowling Green, has a career total of 1,053, which includes 176 scored as a Buckeye. Senior J.J. Sullinger has scored 1,029 career points. He played one season at Arkansas, scoring 273 points in 2001-02, and now is in his third year at Ohio State.
Wisconsin Leads Big Ten at 4-0
Junior Alando Tucker posted 20 points and seven rebounds to key Wisconsin to a 68-52 victory over Northwestern last Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison. Tucker notched his eighth game of the season with 20 or more points as the 21st-ranked Badgers improved to 4-0 in Big Ten play for the first time since the 1961-62 season. Junior Kammron Taylor and senior Ray Nixon added 14 and 13 points, respectively, as UW outscored NU 32-18 in the paint. The smaller Wildcats also were outrebounded 40-28 and committed 19 turnovers. The conference’s leading scorer, Vedran Vukusic, had 15 points, almost seven points below his average. Teammate Craig Moore chipped in 14 points with four 3-point baskets.
Tucker Tops Trio of UW Double Digit Scorers
Guard Alando Tucker leads the Badgers with 19.0 points a game while Kammron Taylor contributes 14.6 points. Center Brian Butch adds 11.1 points a game. Butch also leads the team with 6.5 rebounds a game.
On This Date
Ohio State is 14-11 with losses in four of the last five games on this date.
| Date | W/L | Opponent | Score |
| 1/18/13 | W | Northwestern | 22-20 |
| 1/18/16 | L | Oberlin | 20-24 |
| 1/18/19 | W | Oberlin | 35-24 |
| 1/18/27 | W | Illinois | 29-28 |
| 1/18/30 | L | @Ashland | 27-28 |
| 1/18/36 | W | Iowa | 34-26 |
| 1/18/37 | L | @Indiana | 36-43 |
| 1/18/41 | W | Duquesne | 44-33 |
| 1/18/43 | W | Chicago | 47-29 |
| 1/18/47 | W | Northwestern | 60-49 |
| 1/18/54 | L | @Indiana | 72-94(3) |
| 1/18/58 | W | Minnesota | 95-79 |
| 1/18/64 | L | @Michigan | 64-82(3) |
| 1/18/69 | W | @Michigan | 98(13)-85 |
| 1/18/75 | W | @Wisconsin | 89-67 |
| 1/18/79 | W | Minnesota | 83(16)-80 |
| 1/18/81 | L | Indiana | 60-67 |
| 1/18/84 | W | @Michigan | 62-60 |
| 1/18/86 | L | vs. Boston College | 74-87 |
| 1/18/88 | W | Michigan | 70-68(10) |
| 1/18/90 | L | @Michigan | 88-90 |
| 1/18/95 | L | @Minnesota | 61-81 |
| 1/18/97 | L | Minnesota | 67-73(7) |
| 1/18/01 | W | Michigan | 78-61 |
| 1/18/03 | L | Wisconsin | 52-53 |
Ohio State vs. The Big Ten Conference
Ohio State is 677-649 vs. the current members of the Big Ten Conference.
OSU vs. The Big Ten
| Illinois | 60-100 |
| Indiana | 70-99 |
| Iowa | 66-72 |
| Michigan | 83-70 |
| Michigan State | 46-59 |
| Minnesota | 74-53 |
| Northwestern | 105-44 |
| Penn State | 19-13 |
| Purdue | 74-78 |
| Wisconsin | 80-61 |
| Totals | 677-649 |
Buckeyes Fall Short in Double Overtime vs. Spartans
Drew Neitzel hit a runner and two free throws in the final 44 seconds of the second overtime to lead No. 14 Michigan State to a 62-59 victory over No. 19 Ohio State. Even though the game featured two of the Big Ten’s top three offenses, both played physical, hands-on defense. Paul Davis, who scored 18 points for the Spartans, cemented the lead with two free throws with 11 seconds left. The Buckeyes’ Jamar Butler then missed a 3-pointer and Matt Sylvester – who had earlier hit two big 3s to pull his team back – failed on a short follow in the final seconds. Davis rebounded for the Spartans. Shannon Brown led Michigan State. Davis had 12 rebounds, while Matt Trannon had 14 points and 11 rebounds. Maurice Ager, averaging 21 points a game, mustered just two on 1-of-11 shooting. Terence Dials led Ohio State with 19 points and 10 rebounds, with Sylvester adding 17 points on 4-of-6 shooting behind the arc. The Buckeyes’ losses have come by two and three points to ranked teams. They were hurt when leading scorer Je’Kel Foster fouled out early in the second overtime. He had an off shooting night with just eight points but he had nine rebounds, three assists and didn’t have a turnover in 40 minutes. Ohio State forced the first overtime by scoring the final four points – a jumper by Butler with 5:54 left and a sweeping left-handed hook by Dials with 34 seconds left. Ager misfired over Foster’s tight defense with a second left.
Noting the Michigan State Game
* This was the 105th meeting all-time between Ohio State and Michigan State. MSU owns the overall series lead with a record of 59-46. Ohio State is 32-20 in games played in Columbus and 2-4 vs. Michigan State at Value City Arena. The Buckeyes are 677-649 vs. the current members of the Big Ten Conference.
* Ohio State, ranked No. 19 in by the Associated Press and No. 16 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll, is 16-12 when playing as a ranked team vs. the Spartans. When both teams are ranked, OSU is 3-6.
* With all 18,500 seats are filled at Value City Arena, the Buckeyes move to 23-7 in sold-out games at VCA. That record includes a 19-5 mark vs. Big Ten opponents and a 9-1 record vs. ranked conference foes.
* Ohio State is 15-8 overall vs. ranked teams at Value City Arena. When ranked Big Ten opponents take the court at VCA, OSU is 15-5.
* This is the first double-overtime game in the history of Value City Arena. The last double-overtime game for Ohio State was exactly one year ago, Jan. 15, 2005, at LSU. The Buckeyes lost that game 113-101. The last double-overtime game at home for Ohio State was Feb. 17, 1991, a 97-95 win over Indiana in St. John Arena.
* OSU is 6-5 all-time in double-overtime games.
* The contest vs. MSU was the second overtime game Ohio State has played this season. The Buckeyes also went into an extra session against Butler Nov. 22, winning by a final of 79-69. It is the fourth overtime game in the history of Value City Arena.
* Ohio State is 36-52 overall in overtime games. The Buckeyes are 18-20 in overtime games at home.
* This is the first loss at home for the Buckeyes this season. OSU is 100-23 at Value City Arena since its opening in the 1998-99 season.
* The Buckeyes held Michigan State scoreless the final 7:20 of the second half and 2:30 into the first overtime for a total scoring drought of 9:50.
* Senior center Terence Dials scored at 3:58 in the first overtime to give the Buckeyes a 48-46 lead. It was the first lead for OSU since 16:28 of the first half when the Buckeyes led 5-4.
* Dials led the team with 19 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double this season and 11th overall in his career.
* Dials played in a career-high 48 of 50 total minutes.
* Senior guard J.J. Sullinger grabbed seven rebounds in the game. He needs just two more rebounds to reach the 500-rebound plateau.
* Sullinger also had one steal to reach the 100-steal career mark.
* Dials scored 19 points to increase his career total to 1,287. He now ranks 22nd all-time in career scoring, moving past Clark Kellogg (1980-82) with 1,285. Kellogg was the expert analyst for CBS for the television broadcast of the game.
* Sophomore guard Jamar Butler grabbed a career-high seven rebounds.
* Senior forward Matt Sylvester scored a season-high 17 points and was 4-for-6 from beyond the arc, a career-high in 3-pointers attempted and made.
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 (W, 74-65, Dec. 23), Louisiana State (W, 78-76), at Penn State (Jan. 21), Florida A&M (Jan. 30) and Purdue (March 5).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
