Buckeyes Host Golden Gophers of Minnesota – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 2, 2006
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Date Feb. 4, 2006
Opponent Minnesota (10-8, 1-6)
Site Value City Arena (18,500)
Game Time 3 p.m. EST
Television ESPN Reg.
Local TV WBNS 10 TV
TV Talent Tom Hamilton (P-by-P), Bill Hosket (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)
OHIO STATE VS. MINNESOTA
The Buckeyes own a 21-game edge (74-53) in all-games played vs. Minnesota with a 46-18 advantage in Columbus. The Golden Gophers are 35-28 against Ohio State in Minneapolis. Ohio State dropped both meetings a year ago. The Buckeyes are 20-3 all-time vs. Minnesota when ranked among the Top 25 in the Associated Press poll. Ohio State is ranked No. 20 this week.
DIALS TOP OSU SCORER IN GAMES VS. GOLDEN GOPHERS
Senior Terence Dials leads the Buckeyes vs. Minnesota in scoring. He has averaged 12.2 points in five career meetings vs. the Golden Gophers. J.J. Sullinger is next with 10.8 ppg. in four games vs. UM. Both Dials (8.6 rpg.) and Sullinger (8.3 rpg.) contribute more than 8.0 rebounds per game vs. the Golden Gophers.
BUTLER STEADY AT THE POINT
Sophomore guard Jamar Butler is second among Big Ten players with a +3.5 assist-to-turnover ratio in all games. In league games only, Butler has handed out 33 assists with just six turnovers in seven games for a +5.5 ratio. Butler averages 4.7 assists and 0.9 turnovers a game in league play. In all games, Butler is sixth with an average of 4.88 assists a game. In league games, he is fourth.
2005-06 BUCKEYES CONTRIBUTE TO OSU ASSIST RECORDS
The 2005-06 Buckeyes, led by sophomore point guard Jamar Butler, have recorded two of the Top 10 Ohio State team performances in assists this year. The Buckeyes dished out 28 assists vs. Penn State Jan. 5 and were credited with 27 helpers vs. Florida A&M Jan. 30. The 28 assists vs. PSU rank as the No. 6 single game effort in OSU history while the 27 vs. FAMU rate tied for 7th. The last time Ohio State handed out 27 or more was Dec. 7, 1996 vs. Long Island (27). Butler leads the current team with 83 assists. He recorded a career high nine assists vs. PSU and eight vs. FAMU.
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 125 games at VCA, a total of 2,022,924 fans, 16,183 per game, have helped the Buckeyes to a record of 102-23 at the facility. Ohio State exceeded the 2 million mark in home attendance at VCA vs. Wisconsin (16,127) Jan. 18. The Buckeyes have won 14 or more home games in five of the eight years at VCA and 11 or more in seven of eight.
NOTING THE BUCKEYES…
* Sophomore Jamar Butler is shooting 43 percent from the field (42-97), up from 33 percent (36-108) as a freshman … made 23 of 54 (.426) 3-pointers this year–(14-61/.230 a year ago) … rates No. 10 among Big Ten players in 3FG pct. … averages 4.9 assists per game and has seven or more in six games … scoring average up to 8.4 ppg. from 3.6 ppg. as a freshman … 33 assists and just six turnovers in Big Ten play (+5.5 ast./TO ratio) … three games vs. Big Ten with 0 turnovers … just one TO for every 21.8 minutes played this season (523 minutes/24 TOs) … overall +3.46 ast./TO ratio is best in Big Ten … nearly 3-to-1 ratio for career (157 asts./55 TOs, +2.85).
* Senior Terence Dials scored 19 points vs. MSU to pass Clark Kellogg on the all-time scoring list Jan. 15 … Kellogg was the expert analyst in the game vs. the Spartans … reached 500 FGs made as a Buckeye (508-911/.558) following a 6 of 14 effort at Iowa (1/28/06) … career field goal shooting percentage rates No. 4 all-time at OSU … connecting on 71 percent from the foul line (58-82), his best single season percentage as a Buckeye and an improvement from his .617 effort a year ago (113-183) … double figures in nine of last 12 games … leads team in league play with 14.4 ppg. … has connected on 50 percent or better from the field in 14 of 18 games and in 11 of the last 12 contests … 11 career double-doubles … his 7.2 rebound average rates No. 7 among league players, .557 FG pct. rates sixth.
* 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 … Foster recorded six thefts vs. both Gardner-Webb and at Purdue this season … a career 48 percent shooter from the field (169-351) … foul shooting pct. has improved from 65 pct. as a junior (17-26) to 77 pct. this year (37-48) … connected on 3 of 5 3-pointers vs. Florida A&M last time out (108-244/.443) … career pct. from long range is second best in OSU history.
* Senior J.J. Sullinger tied a career high with 24 points vs. Florida A&M Monday … reached 500 career rebounds (524) with six vs. Wisconsin Jan. 18 … reached 100 career steals with one theft vs. MSU Jan. 15 … working on a third-consecutive 300-point season at Ohio State, (185 pts./10.3 ppg.) this year … has made 15 of 17 foul shots in Big Ten play … his FT shooting percentage of .882 in league games rates No. 5 among conference players.
* 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 last March … another triple at the 5 second mark gave the Buckeyes the come-from-behind win vs. LSU earlier this season … reached 600 points as a Buckeye (630/6.3 ppg.) with 12 at Penn State Jan. 21 … has 10+ points in five of last six games … rates No. 2 among league players in 3-point field-goal shooting percentage (12-23/.522) vs. Big Ten opponents.
* Junior Ron Lewis gives the Buckeyes 12.9 points a game … third leading scorer this season, his first as a Buckeye … team’s best foul shooter (.798/71-89) … his .482 FG pct. (68-141) is best of his career … shot .396 (145-366) as a sophomore at Bowling Green in 2003-04 … reached 300 career FGs with 6 of 11 effort at Iowa (1/28/06) for his career (306-730/.419).
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 46 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 46.5 percent of his treys this season and will qualify for the all-time lead officially with a minimum of 50 makes this year. Foster’s one made 3-pointer vs. Wisconsin gave him 100 for his OSU career. He is second all-time in 3-point field goal percentage. He has made 44.3 pct. (108-244) for his career.
MATTA OUT TO TOP 3 START AT OHIO STATE
Thad Matta coached his 50th game of his OSU career against Florida A&M (1/30/06). He is among the top three coaches all-time at OSU in winning percentage after their first 50 games at Ohio State. Matta is 35-15 (.700) at OSU. Fred Taylor (1959-76) and Randy Ayers (1990-97) both won 36 of their first 50 contests at Ohio State for a winning percentage of .720. Matta is out to a 15-3 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) | 35 | 15 | .700 |
| 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 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 102 of 125 games (.816).
OHIO STATE VS. RANKED TEAMS AT VALUE CITY ARENA
Following the win vs. No. 15 Wisconsin Jan. 18, Ohio State is 16-8 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 16-5.
THE BUCKEYES AT SOLD-OUT VCA
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.
BUCKEYES EARN 9 NON-CONFERENCE HOME WINS
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’ 9-0 record vs. non-Big Ten foes at VCA this year. The Buckeyes have been undefeated in home non-conference games at VCA three times. 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 60-6 overall vs. non-conference foes at VCA. Thad Matta is 17-0 as a Buckeye head coach against non-league foes at VCA.
MATTA IMPROVES TO 22-3 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 11-0 non-conference action in 2005-06, Matta improved to 22-3 against non-league foes. The Buckeyes are 18-0 in Columbus and 17-0 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.
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.
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 |
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. 20 in the AP poll and No. 19 in the USA Today/Coaches Poll. The Buckeyes are 318-103 (.755) 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 30-5 overall, 18-4 vs. Big Ten teams and 12-1 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.
2005-06 BUCKEYES CRACK TOP 10 IN 3-POINTERS MADE
As a team, Ohio State has cracked the OSU Top 10 in both 3-pointers made and attempted after just 18 games this season. The Buckeyes have made 162 of 398 3-point attempts on the season to date. The 162 made rates No. 5 all-time at OSU. The current team is on pace to make 252 3s this year, which would rank No. 2 all time behind the 2004-05 team. That group made 259 3s in 32 games a year ago. Ohio State currently averages 9.0 3-pointers a game and has a minimum of 10 games remaining this season. The 398 3s attempted this season is 10th most all-time by an OSU team. 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. The Top 6 3-point shooting performances have been established in the last two years. 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 17 times and have a 14-3 record in those games. Matta’s opponents at Ohio State have made 10 or more four times and are 2-2 in those games.
BUCKEYES OFFENSE CLICK, FOUR AVERAGE DOUBLE DIGITS
Ohio State is averaging 79.3 points in the first 18 games of the season. Opponents average 65.4 ppg. The Buckeyes have made 49 percent of their field goals (495-1,019), while allowing opponents to make 42 percent (455-1,072). From the foul line, Ohio State has taken 377 shots, making 275 (.729), while foes have gone to the line 251 times, making 170 (.677). Balance has been the norm with four players averaging 10 or more points a game. Terence Dials and Je’Kel Foster lead the team with 14.1 ppg. Ron Lewis (12.9 ppg.), and J.J. Sullinger (10.3 ppg.) follow. Dials averages 7.2 rebounds a game to pace the squad.
DIALS CLIMBING SCORING CHART
Senior Terence Dials has 1,332 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 15 all-time in career scoring. Jerry Francis (1986-89) scored 1,486 career points during his Ohio State career and is 15th all-time in OSU scoring annals. Dials needs 154 or more points to reach the Top 15.
DIALS JOINS 700 CLUB, TOP 10
Senior Terence Dials reached 700 career rebounds with eight at Indiana (1/7/06). He has 748 boards to become one of 12 Buckeyes to reach the 700 mark all-time. He is on pace to reach 820 career rebounds, which would place him at the No. 6 spot all-time and one of seven players to reach the 800 mark in career rebounds. There are four players with 900 or more boards 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 eight all-time behind No. 7 Dave Sorenson (1968-70) with 748.
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 1,332 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 1,110, which includes 233 scored as a Buckeye. Senior J.J. Sullinger has scored 1,071 career points. He played one season at Arkansas, scoring 273 points in 2001-02, and now is in his third year at Ohio State.
GOPHERS TOPPLE HOOSIERS
The Gophers picked up their first Big Ten win of the season with a 61-42 victory over Indiana Sunday in Minneapolis. Minnesota shut down the conference’s top shooting team and forced it into 18 turnovers to emerge with the win. Vincent Grier led the Gophers with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Head coach Dan Monson shook things up with a new-look starting lineup that immediately paid dividends. Senior walk-on Zach Puchtel proved to be the unlikeliest of heroes, scoring six points with three rebounds and three steals in 29 minutes. Entering the game, the Minnetonka native had played just 38 minutes. His most valuable contribution came on the defensive end where he repeatedly frustrated the Big Ten’s third-leading scorer, Marco Killingsworth. Puchtel limited him to just 15 points with his physical post play. Freshman Jamal Abu-Shamala made his first start in Big Ten play and scored seven points and added three boards. Killingsworth led Indiana with 15 points while Robert Vaden added 11.
GRIER, HARGROW LEAD GOPHERS
Minnesota seniors Vincent Grier (15.4 ppg.) and Maurice Hargrow (14.4 ppg.) lead the Golden Gopher offense. J’son Stamper is the team’s best rebounder with 6.9 a contest. Grier contributes 6.3 boards a game.
ON THIS DATE
Ohio State is 15-9 on this date with wins in three of the last five games.
| Date | W/L | Opponent | Score |
| 2/4/99 | W | Springfield YMCA | 16-4 |
| 2/4/05 | W | Cincinnati | 43-6 |
| 2/4/16 | W | @Purdue | 25-19 |
| 2/4/18 | L | @Purdue | 32-50 |
| 2/4/28 | W | @Minnesota (2ot) | 42-40 |
| 2/4/33 | W | @Minnesota | 24-23 |
| 2/4/35 | L | @Purdue | 41-42 |
| 2/4/39 | W | @Minnesota (ot) | 31-30 |
| 2/4/44 | L | Purdue | 49-59 |
| 2/4/50 | W | Wisconsin | 61(7)-47(17) |
| 2/4/52 | L | @Minnesota | 56-84 |
| 2/4/56 | W | Indiana | 100-82 |
| 2/4/57 | L | @Illinois | 89(11)-96(7) |
| 2/4/61 | W | @Michigan | 80(1)-58 |
| 2/4/67 | W | @Wisconsin | 90-84 |
| 2/4/74 | L | @Minnesota | 51-56 |
| 2/4/78 | W | Illinois | 70-65 |
| 2/4/82 | W | Michigan State (ot) | 50-49 |
| 2/4/84 | L | @Minnesota | 61-83 |
| 2/4/88 | W | Illinois | 64-60(17) |
| 2/4/90 | W | Louisville (ot) | 91-88(10) |
| 2/4/95 | L | Michigan St | 58-67(9) |
| 2/4/98 | L | Michigan State | 58-84(16) |
| 2/4/04 | W | Northwestern | 72-64 |
OHIO STATE VS. THE BIG TEN CONFERENCE
Ohio State is 679-650 vs. the current members of the Big Ten Conference.
OSU vs. The Big Ten
| Illinois | 60-100 |
| Indiana | 70-99 |
| Iowa | 66-73 |
| Michigan | 83-70 |
| Michigan State | 46-59 |
| Minnesota | 74-53 |
| Northwestern | 105-44 |
| Penn State | 20-13 |
| Purdue | 74-78 |
| Wisconsin | 81-61 |
| Totals | 679-650 |
SULLINGER TIES CAREER HIGH IN WON VS. FLORIDA A&M
J.J. Sullinger matched his career high with 24 points – scoring 19 in the first half – to lead No. 20 Ohio State to a 95-53 victory over Florida A&M. Sullinger, who virtually carried the Buckeyes in the first half, finished 8-of-12 from the field, matched his career high with four 3-pointers in six attempts and was perfect on four foul shots. He also had seven rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes. Je’Kel Foster added 18 points, Ivan Harris 15 and Matt Sylvester 14. The Buckeyes moved to 11-0 against non-conference teams this season, the first year they’ve gone unbeaten outside of the Big Ten since the 1990-91 team went 10-0 while winning its first 17 games. Rome Sanders led Florida A&M with 15 points. The Buckeyes opened the second half playing harder on defense and moving the ball better on offense. Foster hit two 3-pointers and had a three-point play, Sullinger made another 3 and Ron Lewis scored on a fastbreak dunk following an assist pass off the backboard by Foster, increasing the lead to 59-36 in little more than 5 minutes. Ohio State shot 58 percent in the second half and finished at 52 percent compared to A&M’s 33 percent. The victory moved Matta to 35-15 in his first 50 games at Ohio State, the third-best record over that span at the school. Fred Taylor and Randy Ayers each went 36-14.
NOTING THE FLORIDA A&M GAME
* Senior J.J. Sullinger scored 24 points to tie his career high offensively. He scored 24 in his first game as a Buckeye at San Francisco Nov. 21, 2003.
* The 36 3-pointers were the most attempted in a game in Ohio State history, topping the previous high of 35 attempted against Chattanooga, Nov. 27, 2004 in St. John Arena.
* The 13 3-pointers made tied for the second-most made in a game in Value City Arena.
* The Buckeyes finished the non-conference schedule with an 11-0 record this year. The last time Ohio State finished the non-conference season with an unblemished record was during the 1990-91 season when the Buckeyes compiled a 10-0 record outside the Big Ten.
* Ohio State completed the home non-conference season with a 9-0 record, the most wins vs. non-conference foes during a season at Value City Arena. Ohio State has not lost a home game to a non-conference foe since an 80-72 setback vs. Texas Tech Jan. 4, 2004. The Buckeyes have won 17-consecutive games at VCA vs. non-conference foes.
* This is the third undefeated season at VCA vs. non-conference opponents. Ohio State was 7-0 during the 1998-99 season, 8-0 in 2004-05 and finished the 2005-06 non-conference schedule 9-0.
* The Buckeyes are 102-23 (.816) all-time at Value City Arena.
* Thad Matta is 22-3 at Ohio State vs. non-Big Ten Conference teams in two seasons as head coach of the Buckeyes. Matta was 11-3 as a rookie OSU coach in 2004-05 and is 11-0 this season.
* Ohio State is 60-6 (.909) all-time vs. non-conference opponents at Value City Arena.
* The Buckeyes are 2-0 vs. Florida A&M all-time and 11-0 vs. teams currently representing the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
* Matta became one of just three coaches to complete his first 50 games as Ohio State head coach with a winning percentage of 70 percent or better. Matta is 35-15 (.700) as head coach of the Buckeyes. Fred Taylor (1959-76) and Randy Ayers (1990-97) were both 36-14 (.720) over the first 50 games of their careers.
* Ohio State, ranked No. 20 in the Jan. 30 Associated Press Poll, is 318-103 (.755) while playing as a ranked team. The Buckeyes are 12-1 vs. non-conference opponents at Value City Arena when ranked in the AP poll.
* With 13 3-pointers made vs. the Rattlers, the 2005-06 Buckeyes rank No. 5 in 3-pointers made in a season with 162. The current squad is among the Top 10 with just 18 games played.
* The Buckeyes have made 10 or more 3s in 17 games during Matta’s tenure and are 14-3 in those games. The Buckeyes have made at least 10 treys seven times this season and are 7-0 in those games.
* Ohio State totaled 27 assists, the second-most in Value City Arena history. The record of 28 was set earlier this season vs. Penn State (Jan. 5).
* With six points, senior Terence Dials moved closer to the No. 21 spot all time in career scoring with 1,332 career points. He is within three points of tying Jim Cleamons (1969-71), who finished his career with 1,335. No. 20 Brent Darby would be next with 1,368 career points from 2000-03.
* Dials moved into the No. 8 spot in career rebounding at Ohio State with 10 vs. Florida A&M. He has 748 for his career. No. 7 Dave Sorenson is next on the all-time list with 761 from 1968-70. Dials has recorded 10 or more rebounds 15 times as a Buckeye.
* Senior Je’Kel Foster recorded five steals vs. the Rattlers. He has been credited with 3 or more steals in eight games this season. Ohio State is 7-1 in those games.
* Foster scored 18 points vs. FAMU. Ohio State is 22-2 when Foster scores 10 or more points in a game. He also made 3 of 5 3-point attempts. The Buckeyes are 19-3 when Foster makes 3 or more treys in a game.
* Sophomore Jamar Butler was credited with eight assists vs. FAMU. Ohio State is 15-3 overall when Butler hands out 4 or more assists in a game.
* Sullinger connected on 4 of 4 from the FT line vs. the Rattlers. He has made 18 of his last 19 from the line in the last six games.
* Sullinger made 4 of 6 3-pointers vs. the Rattlers. He tied his career high for made treys set vs. Chattanooga (11/27/04) in a game played at St. John Arena.
* With 14 points, senior Matt Sylvester has scored 10 or more points in five of the last six games.
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 (W 75-64, Jan. 21), Florida A&M (W, 95-53, 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.
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 (1/5/06) 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). Ron Lewis also shot well vs. the Nittany Lions hitting 10 of 11 (.909) shots to rate No. 9 all-time in single game shooting percentage.
