Ohio State and Michigan Meet on the Hardwood – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Date Feb. 25, 2006
Opp. Michigan (18-7, 8-6)
Site Value City Arena (18,500)
Game Time 1:30 p.m. EST
Television cbs
Local TV WBNS 10 TV
TV Talent Gus Johnson (P-by-P), Clark Kellogg (Expert Analysis)
Radio OSU Radio Network (61 stations)
Local Radio WBNS FM-97.1 AM-1460
Radio Talent Paul Keels (P-by-P), Ron Stokes (Expert Analysis)
Complete Release in PDF Format
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DIALS ON DOUBLE-DOUBLE STREAK
Senior Terence Dials has recorded 10+ points and rebounds in each of the last four games, the longest double-double streak of his career. Dials scored 19 points and grabbed a career-high 16 boards vs. Illinois (2/12/06) to start the streak. He tallied 24 points and 11 boards at Wisconsin (2/15/06), had 14 points and 15 boards last Saturday vs. Northwestern and then scored 19 points with 10 boards in the road win vs. Michigan State Wednesday. He is averaging 19 points and 13 rebounds in the last four games. Dials has 15 career double-doubles and five this season. The last time an Ohio State player put together a streak of four or more consecutive double-doubles was during the 1985-86 season when Brad Sellers had a streak of nine-consecutive games with 10 or more points and rebounds.
BUCKEYES OWN 4-GAME WIN STREAK VS. TOP 25 TEAMS
Ohio State has defeated the last four ranked opponents it has faced this season. Since the double overtime loss to No. 14 Michigan State Jan. 15 in Columbus, Ohio State has defeated No. 15 Wisconsin (77-67) Jan. 18, No. 22 Michigan (94-85) in Ann Arbor, No. 10 Illinois (69-53) and No. 18 Michigan State in East Lansing. The last time Ohio State won four-consecutive games vs. ranked teams was during the 2001 and 2002 Big Ten seasons. Ohio State downed No. 3 Illinois, 63-61, Feb. 22, 2001 and then won three games vs. No. 9 Iowa (72-62, Jan. 5), No. 25 Indiana (73-67, Jan. 19) and No. 12 Illinois (78-67, Jan. 29) during the 2002 Big Ten campaign. The last time Ohio State won four-consecutive games vs. ranked teams in the same season was during the 1998-99 campaign when the Buckeyes won six in a row vs. ranked foes, four vs. Big Ten teams (at Purdue, at Iowa, at Indiana and Wisconsin) and two during NCAA tournament play (Auburn, St. John’s).
DIALS CLIMBING GMS. PLAYED CHART
Senior Terence Dials has played in 124 career games at Ohio State, good for the No. 8 spot all-time. He passed Chris Jent (123/1989-92) with an appearance vs. Michigan State and will tie No. 7 Dennis Hopson (125/1984-98) against Michigan. The Buckeyes have a minimum of three games remaining after facing the Wolverines. Dials, with appearances in all three, will play at least 128 career games in an OSU uniform, good for the No. 3 spot all time. Brian Brown (1999-2002) is No. 2 with 129 games played and Jerry Francis is No. 1 with 133 appearances from 1986-89.
FOSTER NO. 2 IN 3-POINT SHOOTING PERCENTAGE
Ohio State senior Je’Kel Foster is No. 2 nationally in 3-point shooting percentage (as of Feb. 20) with a minimum of 2.5 made per game. He averages 2.83 a contest with 68 makes in 140 attempts (.486). As a team, the Buckeyes are No. 12 in scoring margin (+12.7 ppg.), No. 14 in field goal percentage (.486), No. 10 in 3-pointers made per game (9.0) and No. 7 in 3-point FG pct. (.408).
OHIO STATE VS. THE WOLVERINES
Ohio State is 14 games above the .500 mark in the all-time series vs. the Wolverines with an 84-70 lead in the all-time series. Ohio State is 34-43 in Ann Arbor and 48-26 in Columbus. In three neutral-site games, OSU is up 2-1. The Buckeyes broke a three-game losing streak against Michigan last year with a 72-46 win in Columbus (2/5/05). Ohio State is 9-3 in the last 12 games vs. the Wolverines. Ohio State, ranked No. 13 in the Associated Press Poll this week, is 28-4 vs. the Wolverines when ranked.
FOSTER LEADS FOUR IN DOUBLE FIGURES VS. MICHIGAN
Senior Je’Kel Foster leads the Buckeyes vs. Michigan in scoring (14.0 ppg.) while Terence Dials leads in rebounding (4.7 rpg.). Dials, with an average of 12.0 ppg. against Michigan, has faced the Wolverines six times in his career, the most of any Buckeye. Junior Ron Lewis, who faced Michigan twice while playing for Bowling Green, averages 13.7 ppg. while sophomore Jamar Butler has contributed 11.0 ppg., in his two career meetings vs. UM.
BUCKEYES NO. 13 IN AP, NO. 12 IN COACHES POLL
Ohio State dropped a spot to No. 13 in the Associated Press (media) and stayed at No. 12 in the ESPN/USA Today (coaches) polls after splitting a pair of Big Ten games last week. The Buckeyes fell to Wisconsin (Feb. 15) 78-73 on the road and then defeated Northwestern 61-52 last Saturday in Columbus. Ohio State is 20-4 overall and 9-4 in the Big Ten. The four losses have come by a combined 15 points to then-No. 16 Indiana (81-79, Jan. 7) in Bloomington, to then-No. 14 Michigan State in double overtime (62-59, Jan. 15) in Columbus, to Iowa (67-62, Jan. 28) in Iowa City and at Wisconsin (78-73). The Buckeyes are 323-104 (.756) 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 33-5 overall, 21-4 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.
OHIO STATE EARNS BACK-TO-BACK BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE WEEK AWARDS
For the third time this season, an Ohio State student-athlete earned player of the week honors in men’s basketball. Sophomore Jamar Butler earned the award Feb. 13 after leading the Buckeyes to a pair of victories vs. ranked opponents. His 20 points at No. 22 Michigan (2/9/06) set up a 22-point effort in a home win vs. No. 10 Illinois (2/12/06). In the two games he made 15-of-21 field goals (.714) and 7-of-8 (.875) 3-pointers. He also handed out nine assists and made all five foul shots. Butler’s honor comes on the heels of Je’Kel Foster taking the honor Feb. 6, his second. The last time an Ohio State player earned league POW honors in back to back weeks was in December 2004 when Terence Dials won in consecutive weeks (12/20, 12/27). The last time different OSU players won in back-to-back weeks was during the 1992 Big Ten season when Jim Jackson (2/3/92) and Chris Jent (2/10/92) were honored.
BUCKEYES TOP SEVERAL BIG TEN STATISTICAL CATEGORIES
The Buckeyes find themselves leading the Big Ten Conference in several areas heading into the week of Feb. 20. Ohio State is No. 1 in scoring offense (77.9 ppg.), 3-pt field goal pct. (217-529/.410), 3-pt. FGs made (9.04 pg.) and assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.27). In league games only, Ohio State is the leader in scoring offense (75.3 ppg.), scoring margin (+8.9 ppg.), field goal percentage (354-641/.478), 3-pt. FG pct. (119-295/.403), 3-pt. FG pct. defense (64-222/.288), turnover margin (+2.15), 3-pt. FGs made (9.15 pg.) and assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.34).
OHIO STATE SETS 3-POINT SHOOTING RECORD IN WIN AT MICHIGAN
The Buckeyes connected on 12 of 16 first-half 3-pointers at Michigan Feb. 9 to set an OSU record for 3-pointers made in a half. Ohio State finished with 15 makes in 24 attempts in the 94-85 victory. The Buckeyes have made 10 or more 3-pointers in nine games this season, all wins. The Buckeyes are 16-3 in the Thad Matta era when making 10 or more 3-pointers in a game. Ohio State is 31-5 (.861) all-time when making 10 or more 3s in a game.
BUCKEYES LOOK TO FOSTER FROM LONG RANGE
Senior Je’Kel Foster set an OSU record with 12-consecutive made 3-pointers in wins vs. Minnesota Feb. 4 and at Michigan Feb. 9. Foster missed his first attempt from long range vs. Minnesota (2/4/06) and then hit seven-consecutive treys on his way to 25 points. He then made his first five 3-pointers at Michigan (2/9/06) before a miss in his final attempt in Ann Arbor. He started 5 of 5 from beyond the arc vs. Illinois (2/12/06) and finished the game 6 of 8 (.750). Foster has made 22 of 33 in the last six games from 3-point range (.666). He is 29 of 59 overall from the field (.492) during that stretch.
MATTA REACHES 6th 20-WIN SEASON
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 in both seasons to date at Ohio State, Matta is one of two coaches nationally to record 20 or more wins in the first six seasons of his coaching career. The Buckeyes are 20-4 to date this season. Mark Few of Gonzaga is the other with 20+ in all seven years with the Bulldogs.
OHIO STATE RECORDS 21st 20
With a 20-4 record this year to date, Ohio State reached its 21st season with 20 or more victories. The first year with a 20+ win record came in 1949-50 (22-4). The Buckeyes have participated in the NCAA tournament in 17 of the 20 previous seasons with 20 or more wins and have gone to postseason play 18 times (NIT in 1988). Ohio State was not eligible for postseason in 2004 (20-12) and did not participate in postseason play in 1963 (20-4).
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 105 of 128 games (.820).
OHIO STATE VS. RANKED TEAMS AT VALUE CITY ARENA
Following the win vs. No. 10 Illinois Feb. 12, Ohio State is 17-8 overall vs. ranked teams at Value City Arena. When ranked Big Ten teams take the court at VCA, Ohio State is 17-5.
THE BUCKEYES AT SOLD-OUT VCA
Ohio State is 25-7 in sold-out games at Value City Arena, which includes a 21-5 record vs. Big Ten opponents and a 10-1 record vs. ranked conference foes in sold-out games.
FOSTER EARNS 2nd BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR
Je’Kel Foster made 75 percent of his field goal attempts (15-20) and 77 percent of his 3-point attempts (10-13) in two wins vs. Florida A&M (1/30/06) and Minnesota (2/4/06) to claim co-Big Ten Player of the Week accolades, his second of the season. He shared the most recent award with Iowa’s Jeff Horner. Foster scored a game-high 25 points on 8 of 10 shooting from the field in Ohio State’s 67-53 win vs. Minnesota. He made 7 of 8 3-point attempts in that game. He missed his first long-range attempt and then made the next seven from beyond the arc.
EFFORT VS. MINNESOTA PUTS FOSTER IN RECORDS BOOK
The seven made 3-pointers vs. Minnesota (2/5/06) places Je’Kel Foster No. 3 all-time at Ohio State for treys made in a single game. He also is No. 3 in 3-point shooting percentage in a single with his 7 of 8 effort (.875) vs. the Gophers. He moved into the top spot in single season 3-point shooting percentage after his outing vs. Minnesota. He is making 48.6 percent of his treys this season (68-140). His career 3-point shooting percentage is 45.6 percent (130-285). His career and season shooting percentage this year are Ohio State records.
BUTLER STEADY AT THE POINT
Sophomore guard Jamar Butler is No. 1 in the Big Ten with a +2.92 assist-to-turnover ratio in all games. In league games only, Butler has handed out 58 assists with just 19 turnovers in 13 games for a +3.05 ratio, which ranks No. 1. Butler averages 4.5 assists and 1.5 turnovers a game in league play. In all games, Butler is sixth with an average of 4.7 assists a game. In league games, he is fifth.
BUCKEYES TOUGH OUT AT HOME UNDER MATTA
Thad Matta has directed the Buckeyes to a 29-3 record in Columbus in two seasons as head coach of the Buckeyes. He is 28-3 overall at Value City Arena, which includes a 17-0 record vs. non-conference foes. Ohio State defeated Chattanooga last year at St. John Arena on the OSU campus. The 28-3 mark at VCA (11-3 vs. the Big Ten) is the best two-year record in the facility since Ohio State teams were 29-3 in the first two years the building was open (14-1 in 1998-99, 15-2 in 1999-00). The Buckeyes have two remaining home games this season and could set the building record with 16 victories. Ohio State won 15 games in both 1999-2000 and 2001-02 at VCA.
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 108 assists. He recorded a career high nine helpers vs. PSU and eight vs. FAMU. The Buckeyes have recorded 20 or more assists in a game five times this year, all wins.
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 128 games at VCA, a total of 2,077,660 fans, 16,231 per game, have helped the Buckeyes to a record of 105-23 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 six of the eight years at VCA and 11 or more in seven of eight.
NOTING THE BUCKEYES…
* Sophomore Jamar Butler is shooting 46 percent from the field (71-153), up from 33 percent (36-108) as a freshman … has made 37 of 80 (.463) 3-pointers this year–(14-61/.230 a year ago) … rates No. 5 among Big Ten players in 3FG pct. and is No. 2 in league games only (21-44/.477) … averages 4.7 assists per game and has seven or more in seven games … scoring average up to 10.3 ppg. from 3.6 ppg. as a freshman … 58 assists and just 19 turnovers in Big Ten play (+3.05 ast./TO ratio) … three games vs. Big Ten with 0 turnovers … just one TO for every 19.9 minutes played this season (735 minutes/36 TOs) … overall +2.92 ast./TO ratio is best in Big Ten … nearly 3-to-1 ratio for career (182 asts./68 TOs, +2.7) … leads the Buckeyes from the foul line hitting 83.8 percent of his charity tosses (57-68).
* Senior Terence Dials scored 19 points and grabbed a career high 16 rebounds in home win vs. No. 10 Illinois Feb. 12 … notched fourth-consecutive double-double and fifth of the season, with 19 points and 10 rebounds at Michigan State Wednesday … 19 points vs. Michigan State Jan. 15 passed Clark Kellogg on the all-time scoring list … Kellogg was the expert analyst in the game vs. the Spartans … reached 500 FGs made as a Buckeye (550-980/.561) following a 6 of 14 effort at Iowa (1/28/06) … career field goal shooting percentage rates No. 4 all-time at OSU … double figures in 14 of last 18 games … leads team offensively with 14.8 ppg overall and with 15.2 ppg. in Big Ten games … has connected on 50 percent or better from the field in 19 of 24 games and in 15 of the last 18 contests … 15 career double-doubles … his 8.0 rebound average rates No. 4 among league players, .571 FG pct. rates No. 3.
* 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 (12/28/05) and at Purdue (1/11/06) this season … a career 48 percent shooter from the field (198-410) … foul shooting pct. has improved from 65 pct. as a junior (17-26) to 78 pct. this year (43-55) … connected on 7 of 8 (.875) 3-pointers vs. Minnesota Feb. 4 and followed that effort hitting 5 of 6 (.833) treys at Michigan (2/9) and 6 of 8 vs. Illinois (2/12) … has made 130-285 (.456) treys during his career … career pct. from long range rates best in OSU history, as does his average for this season (68-140/.486) … the 68 made treys this year ranks fourth all-time for single season makes at OSU … the seven made treys and .875 long range shooting percentage vs. Minnesota rate No. 3 all-time for single game 3-point shooting and the effort vs. Michigan is tied for the No. 5 spot (.833/5-6) … two-time Big Ten Player of the Week, latest following wins vs. Florida A&M (Jan. 30) and Minnesota (Feb. 4) … Big Ten leader in steals per game (2.48 spg.).
* Senior J.J. Sullinger tied a career high with 24 points vs. Florida A&M Jan. 30 … reached 500 career rebounds (551) with six vs. Wisconsin Jan. 18 … reached 100 career steals (107) with one theft vs. MSU Jan. 15 … working on a third-consecutive 300-point season at Ohio State, (221 pts./9.6 ppg.) this year.
* 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 (673/6.4 ppg.) with 12 at Penn State Jan. 21 … has 10+ points in seven of last 11 games … game high five assists in win vs. Illinois Feb. 12 … tied career high with six assists at Wisconsin (Feb. 15) and then again at Michigan State (2/22/06) … + 2.10 assist-to-turnover ratio in league games rates No. 4 (42 asts./20 TOs).
* Junior Ron Lewis gives the Buckeyes 12.0 points a game … third leading scorer this season, his first as a Buckeye … team’s second-best foul shooter (.796/86-108) … his .470 FG pct. (85-181) 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) … has shot 323-770/.419 for his career.
FOSTER SETS OSU 3-POINT SHOOTING RECORDS
Senior Je’Kel Foster became 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 following his effort vs. Minnesota Feb. 4. He made 7 of 8 long range attempts in that game and now has 68 made this season. Foster made 62 as a junior. 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 school history to make 50 or more in a season. The feat has been accomplished 14 times since 1986-87 when the 3-point shot was introduced in NCAA Division I.
MATTA ONWS 3rd BEST OSU START
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 (35-15). Matta is 40-16 (.714) 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 has the Buckeyes at 20-4 in this his second season. 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 |
FOSTER EARNS NATIONAL, LEAGUE HONRS 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 seven times dating back to the 1986-87 season, the first campaign for the 3-point shot. The Buckeyes made 15 of 24 treys at Michigan (Feb. 9) and then knocked down 13 of 23 vs. Illinois (Feb. 12). 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 32-5 in the 37 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 |
2005-06 BUCKEYES CRACK TOP 10 IN 3-POINTERS MADE
As a team, Ohio State has cracked the OSU Top 3 in 3-pointers made and attempted after 24 games this season. The Buckeyes have made 217 of 529 3-point attempts on the season to date. The 217 made rates No. 3 all-time at OSU. The current team is on pace to make 253 3s this year, which would rank No. 2 all time ahead of 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 four games remaining this season. The 529 3s attempted this season is No. 3 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 8 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 as well. Matta’s teams have made 10 or more 3s in a game 20 times and have a 17-3 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 77.9 points after 24 games this season. Opponents average 65.3 ppg. The Buckeyes have made 49 percent of their field goals (654-1,346), while allowing opponents to make 43 percent (604-1,410). From the foul line, Ohio State has taken 477 shots, making 345 (.723), while foes have gone to the line 333 times, making 228 (.685). Balance has been the norm with five players averaging 9.4 or more points a game. Terence Dials leads the team with 14.8 ppg. with Je’Kel Foster close behind at 14.1 ppg. Ron Lewis (12.0 ppg.), Jamar Butler (10.3 ppg.) and J.J. Sullinger (9.4 ppg.) follow. Dials averages 8.0 rebounds a game to pace the squad.
DIALS CLIMBING SCORING CHART
Senior Terence Dials has 1,432 career points, good for the No. 18 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 54 points to reach the Top 15.
DIALS JOINS 800 CLUB, TOP 10
Senior Terence Dials reached 700 career rebounds with eight at Indiana (1/7/06). He notched No. 800 with 15 vs. Northwestern (Feb. 18). He has 812 boards to become one of seven Buckeyes to reach the 800 mark all-time. He is on pace to reach 844 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 seventh all-time behind No. 6 Dave Sorenson (1968-70, 819).
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 1,432 points scored to date, good for the No. 18 spot 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 1,166, which includes 289 scored as a Buckeye. Senior J.J. Sullinger has scored 1,112 career points. He played one season at Arkansas, scoring 273 points in 2001-02, and now is in his third year at Ohio State.
WOLVERINES TRAVEL TO COLUMBUS AFTER KNOCKING OFF NO. 8 ILLINOIS
Michigan defeated No. 8 Illinois 72-64 at Crisler Arena Tuesday. Down at the break, the Wolverines clawed back with five 3-pointers, three of them from senior guard Daniel Horton to begin the second half. Horton scored 25 of his 39 points after intermission to fuel Michigan’s comeback. Horton finished with a career high 39 points on 13-of-20 shooting from the field, including 5-of-7 from beyond the three-point arc. Junior center Courtney Sims recorded 11 points on 3-of-7 shooting, while netting 5-of-5 shots from the charity stripe. Sims also accounted for eight rebounds, four assists and a block.
HORTON TOP WOLVERINE SCORER
Michigan senior guard Daniel Horton averages a team best 17.2 points a game to lead four players in double digits for the Wolverines. Junior Courtney Sims contributes 12.4 points while Lester Abram and Dion Harris each add 11 points a game. Graham Brown is the top rebounder for UM with an average of 7.5 a game.
BALANCED OFFENSIVE EFFORT LEADS TO WIN IN EAST LANSING FOR OSU
Terence Dials scored 19 points down low and the 13th-ranked Buckeyes hit 11 3-pointers in a 79-68 victory over the 18th-ranked Spartans, snapping Michigan State’s 15-game home winning streak. Je’Kel Foster had 17 points, Ron Lewis 13, Jamar Butler 12 and Matt Sylvester 10 for the Buckeyes. Maurice Ager had 26 points for the Spartans, 16 coming in the first half as Michigan State took a 37-34 lead. Shannon Brown had 17 points and Paul Davis added 14 for the Spartans. MSU led 43-36 early in the second half but Dials scored to tie it at 54. Foster and Lewis then combined for three 3-pointers as the Buckeyes went ahead 63-58. Ohio State led 67-66 when Butler hit a 3 over a sprawled Drew Neitzel. Two offensive rebounds by Sylvester helped pad the lead before Butler connected again from long range to ice the win. The Buckeyes shot 48 percent from the field, including 46 percent beyond the arc. Dials had 10 rebounds as Ohio State finished with a 33-32 advantage on the boards.
NOTING THE MICHIGAN STATE GAME
* Head coach Thad Matta is 40-14 as the head coach at Ohio State. He has won 20 games in each of his two seasons in Columbus and for the sixth time in his coaching career. He is one of two coaches nationally to reach the 20-win plateau every year as a collegiate head coach. Mark Few of Gonzaga has reached 20+ wins in all seven of his years as a head coach.
* Matta is the second coach in Ohio State history to reach 20 wins in the first two seasons as a Buckeye. Matta, the 13th coach in OSU history, tied Gary Williams, who reached 20 wins during the 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons.
* Senior Matt Sylvester tied his career high with six assists in the win vs. the Spartans. He has 26 assists in the last five games in which he as played.
* Senior Je’Kel Foster knocked down 3 of 8 3-pointers to give him 130 for his career and 68 on the season. Foster scored 17 points against the Spartans. Ohio State is 23-3 when Foster knocks down three or more 3-pointers and 26-2 when he scores 10 or more points in a game.
* Foster has 130 career 3-pointers made, good for the No. 7 spot all-time at OSU. His 68 treys made this year rank No. 4 for made 3s in a single season.
* Sophomore Jamar Butler handed out seven assists, a game high. Ohio State is 18-3 when Butler hands our 4 or more assists in a game.
* Junior Ron Lewis came off the bench to score 13 points. He has contributed 10 or more points off the bench 12 times this season.
* The win vs. the Spartans was the first in East Lansing since 1992, a 78-65 victory Feb. 29 that season.
* Ohio State is 47-59 all-time vs. the Spartans and 14-38 in East Lansing. The Buckeyes are 17-12 vs. MSU when ranked nationally by the Associated Press Poll. Ohio State is 4-6 vs. MSU when both teams are ranked. The Buckeyes were ranked No. 13 while the Spartans entered the game Wednesday No. 18. Ohio State is 323-104 (.756) when playing as a ranked team.
* Five players scored 10 or more points Wednesday vs. MSU. The last time the Buckeyes place five players in double figures was at Michigan Feb. 9.
* The win gave Ohio State its 21st 20 win season in school history.
* Ohio State made 11 of 24 3-point attempts. Ohio State is 32-5 all-time when making 10 or more 3s in a game, which includes a 10-0 mark this season. Ohio State has made 10 or more treys 20 times under Matta’s direction. Ohio State is 17-3 in those games.
* Ohio State won at both Michigan and Michigan State this season, a first for the Buckeyes since 1992.
* In the two games played in Michigan this year, Ohio State has made 26 of 48 3-point attempts (.542). Ohio State made 15 of 24 at Michigan Feb. 9 and knocked down 11 of 24 vs. the Spartans.
* The nine Big Ten wins for OSU this year is the most since going 11-5 in 2002. The Buckeyes tied for the league title that season.
* The Buckeyes have four road wins this season in the Big Ten, which ties the 2002 squad that when 4-4 in Big Ten road games.
* The Buckeyes have recorded 20 or more assists in a game five times this year, all wins. Ohio State dished out 20 assists vs. the Spartans.
ON THIS DATE
Ohio State is 13-12 on this date. The Buckeyes have won the three of the last four games on this date.
| Date | W/L | Opponent | Score |
| 2/25/18 | W | Northwestern | 30-24 |
| 2/25/21 | L | Denison | 32-36 |
| 2/25/22 | L | @Northwestern | 18-20 |
| 2/25/28 | W | Minnesota | 46-37 |
| 2/25/29 | W | Iowa | 42-23 |
| 2/25/33 | L | @Iowa | 29-37 |
| 2/25/39 | W | @Wisconsin | 46-38 |
| 2/25/42 | L | Wisconsin | 39-44 |
| 2/25/44 | L | DePaul | 49-61 |
| 2/25/52 | L | @Indiana | 80-95 |
| 2/25/56 | W | Illinois | 87-84(2) |
| 2/25/57 | L | Illinois | 72-79 |
| 2/25/61 | W | Wisconsin | 97(1)-74 |
| 2/25/63 | W | @Northwestern | 50(5)-45 |
| 2/25/67 | L | Northwestern | 82-95 |
| 2/25/69 | L | @Northwestern | 83(14)-86 |
| 2/25/74 | W | @Northwestern (ot) | 72-69 |
| 2/25/78 | W | Northwestern | 103-76 |
| 2/25/82 | W | Indiana | 68-65 |
| 2/25/84 | L | Michigan | 59-62 |
| 2/25/87 | L | @Illinois | 70-93(14) |
| 2/25/95 | W | Minnesota | 73-65(22) |
| 2/25/98 | W | @Wisconsin | 61-56 |
| 2/25/03 | L | Iowa | 64-71 |
| 2/25/04 | W | @Minnesota | 70-59 |
OHIO STATE VS. THE BIG TEN CONFERENCE
Ohio State is 684-651 vs. the current members of the Big Ten Conference.
OSU vs. The Big Ten
| Illinois | 61-100 |
| Indiana | 70-99 |
| Iowa | 66-73 |
| Michigan | 84-70 |
| Michigan State | 47-59 |
| Minnesota | 75-53 |
| Northwestern | 106-44 |
| Penn State | 20-13 |
| Purdue | 74-78 |
| Wisconsin | 81-62 |
| Totals | 684-651 |
MILLER RECOGNIZED BY ALMA MATER
Brandon Miller, Ohio State’s director of men’s basketball operations, was selected to Butler University’s Team of the Sesquicentennial. He participated in a dinner in recognition of the event Feb. 3 at Butler. The 15-member team was recognized at halftime of the UW-Milwaukee at Butler game Feb. 4 in Indianapolis. Miller is one of just eight players in Butler basketball history to score over 1,000 career points in just three seasons, finishing his career with 1,121 points. He currently ranks third on Butler’s all-time list for 3-point field goals (189) and stands sixth on the school’s all-time list for assists (305).
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.
OHIOIANS DOMINATE OSU 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 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.
