’08-09 Rewind: Men’s Basketball – Ohio State Buckeyes
7/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Matta, Turner led Buckeyes back to the NCAA tournament
Thad Matta directed the Buckeyes to a fifth-consecutive 20-win season in 2008-09, an Ohio State record for consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins. The stretch also extended Matta’s personal record to nine-consecutive seasons with 20-plus victories, the second longest streak nationally by an active coach to start a career.
The Buckeyes also won 10 games in Big Ten Conference regular season competition, the fourth-consecutive year Ohio State has hit double-digit wins in league play. Only the 1960-64 teams have recorded a longer consecutive stretch with 10 or more conference victories.
Leading Ohio State in 2008-09 was sophomore Evan Turner. The Chicago native was a unanimous selection by both the coaches and league media to the annual All-Big Ten squad. His 17.3 points a game led the team and the Big Ten in scoring. He also led the Buckeyes in field goals (193), free throws (175), offensive rebounds (56), defensive rebounds (178), total rebounds (234/7.1 rpg.), assists (131) and steals (58).
Turner’s efforts were rewarded with a spot on the 2009 U.S. World University games roster. The team played in Serbia over the summer.
Freshman William Buford also earned the recognition of the league coaches and media by earning 2009 Big Ten Freshman of the Year accolades. He, along with sophomore Jon Diebler, also were selected honorable mention All-Big Ten. Buford averaged 11.3 points a game while Diebler contributed 11.2 points a contest.
