Postgame Notes From No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 16 Central Connecticut State – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 15, 2007
Recap | Box Score | Photo Gallery
First Round NCAA Tournament
Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.
Ohio State improved to 33-18 in NCAA tournament games. As a No.1 seed, the Buckeyes are now 6-2. The Buckeyes led throughout thegame, with their largest lead of 27 points (51-24) coming at 15:35of the second half. This was the second meeting all-time betweenthe Buckeyes and Central Connecticut State. The two last met Nov.26, 1995 in Columbus, in a 79-52 Ohio State victory. Head coachThad Matta made his sixth NCAA tournament appearance and continuedhis streak of never losing in the opening round. He is 9-5 in NCAAtournament games. The Buckeyes are now 7-0 all-time against currentmembers of the Northeast Conference. Central Connecticut State is0-7 all-time against the Big Ten Conference and is 0-3 in NCAAtournament games. Ohio State, ranked No. 1 in both of the mostrecent ESPN/USA Today and Associated Press polls, is 56-4 all-timewhen playing as the top-ranked team. The win was Ohio State’s18th-consecutive dating back to a 68-66 home victory againstTennessee Jan. 13. In the opening 8 minutes of the game, Ohio Stateheld CCSU to 1-of-6 shooting and forced three turnovers. Ohio Stateheld the Blue Devils without a field goal for 7:07 (last 5:22 offirst half, opening 1:45 of second half), during which the Buckeyesoutscored them 18-4 (CSSU made four free throws during the span).Greg Oden recorded his 12th double-double of the season with ateam-high 19 points and 10 rebounds. It was his third double-doublein as many games. Ohio State is 518-246 all-time when at least oneBuckeye has a double-double. Jamar Butler tied his career-high withfive 3-pointers. He was 5-of-6 from beyond the arc and finishedsecond on the team in scoring with 17 points. With 67 made3-pointers this season, Butler is tied for fifth all time withDennis Hopson (1987). Butler and Mike Conley Jr. both had fiveassists. Ohio State is 36-7 when Butler dishes out four or moreassists as a Buckeye. The Buckeyes hit 11-of-20 3-pointers in thegame. OSU is 24-5 under Matta when making 10 or more treys,including 6-2 this season. The 55 percent 3-point percentage is aseason high. Ohio State finished with a 51.9 field goal percentagevs. CCSU. It was the 15th time this season the Buckeyes have shot50 percent or better from the field with a 14-1 record in thosegames. Ohio State improved to 19-1 when scoring 70 or more points.The Buckeyes led 70-51 with five minutes remaining in the game tomove to 29-0 this year when leading at that mark. Ohio State had a22-0 advantage in bench points, led by Daequan Cook with ninepoints. Ohio State went on an 11-0 run to end the first half andtake a 38-17 lead into the break. The Buckeyes are 29-1 whenleading at the half this season. Obie Nwadike of the Blue Devilscame into the game leading the team and NEC conference in reboundsper game at 10.9 this season. Against Ohio State, he grabbed justfive (1 off., 4 def.). Ohio State will play the winner of No 9-seedXavier vs. No. 8 BYU game at 1:10 p.m. Saturday.
