Buckeyes Open Big Ten Play at Indiana – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 31, 2010
No. 2 Ohio State (13-0, 0-0) vs. Indiana (9-5, 0-1)
Site: Assembly Hall (17,357)
Game Time: 6 p.m. ET
Television: ESPN2
Talent: Terry Gannon (play-by-play)
Dan Dakich (expert analysis)
Radio: OSU Radio Network (60 stations)
Local Radio: WBNS FM-97.1 AM-1460
Radio Talent: Paul Keels (play-by-play)
Ron Stokes (expert analysis)
Buckeyes Open 99th Season in Big Ten Conference
This is the 99th season of Big Ten membership in men’s basketball for the Buckeyes. Ohio State is 54-42 (.563) in conference openers, 64-30 (.681) in league home openers and 35-59 (.372) in the first road game of the season in Big Ten play. Ohio State has opened Big Ten play on the road 42 times and has an 18-24 record in those games.
Ohio Air National Guard Members Visit Practice
Four members of a local unit of the Ohio Air National Guard visited the Buckeyes’ practice Thursday prior to their deployment to Iraq scheduled for next week. They watched about an hour of practice, before taking part in some shootaround time of their own and getting some OSU gear autographed by the student-athletes and coaches. [VIEW PHOTOS]
Matta has Buckeyes Road Ready
Ohio State has won its last seven true road games since finishing the 2009-10 season with five-consecutive road victories and starting this season with wins at then-No. 9 Florida (11/16/10) and most recently at Florida State (11/30/10). The last road loss was at No. 11 West Virginia Jan. 23, 2010. The Buckeyes have won their last six Big Ten road contests since falling at Minnesota 73-62 Jan. 9, 2010. The Buckeyes last won seven-consecutive road games in Big Ten play during the 2006-07, 2007-08 seasons when the Buckeyes won the final six league road games in 2007 and the first in 2008. Ohio State opens the Big Ten season on the road at Indiana this year Dec. 31 and then plays at Iowa Jan. 4 and at Michigan Jan. 12.
Big Ten
Year(s) Rd. W Strk. Rd. W Strk.
1959-60, 1961-62 21 14
1970-71, 1971-72 9 7
1932-33 8 3
2009-10, 2010-11 7 6
1949-50, 1950-51 7 5
2006-07, 2007-08 6 7
1908-09, 1909-10 6 N/A
1943-44, 1944-45 N/A 7
INDIANA STARTS STRETCH OF 3 in 4 LEAGUE GAMES ON THE ROAD FOR BUCKEYES
Ohio State begins Big Ten Conference play vs. the Hoosiers Friday in Bloomington. The game is the first on the road in league play and one of three road contests Ohio State plays vs. Big Ten foes in the opening four conference games of the season. The Buckeyes travel to Iowa, host Minnesota and go to Michigan to start the Big Ten slate. Ohio State opened with four of five on the road to start the conference season a year ago.
Ohio State Boasts Top Rookies
Jared Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas rate Nos. 1-2, respectively, in offensive production among Big Ten freshmen. Sullinger averages 17.5 points a game while Thomas contributes 11.7 ppg. after a 20-point outing against UT-Martin earlier this week. Sullinger also leads all league rookies with 10.2 rebounds a game while Thomas is fourth with 5.4 rpg. Sullinger is No. 1 in field goal percentage (.591/81-137) and No. 2 in steals with 1.23 spg. Aaron Craft leads freshmen in steals (1.85 spg.) and assists (4.85 apg.).
The Ohio State, Indiana Series
Indiana leads the all-time series with the Buckeyes 99-72 with a 60-22 lead in Bloomington. Ohio State has won its last four meetings with Indiana, which include wins in the last two trips to Assembly Hall. The last time Ohio State has won four or more consecutive games vs. the Hoosiers was from Feb. 5, 1968 through Feb. 14, 1970, a five-game win streak which included three wins in Bloomington. As a ranked team, Ohio State is 16-11 in games vs. the Hoosiers.
Junior William Buford averages 20 points a game vs. Indiana during his four previous meetings while senior Jon Diebler contributes 13.2 points a game over six games vs. IU. Buford averages 5.3 rebounds to lead the current Buckeyes vs. Indiana. Both Buford (30-55/.545) and Diebler 25-48/.521) shoot better than 50 percent while senior Dallas Lauderdale has made 9 of 13 shots (69.2 pct.) against the Hoosiers. Diebler has made 21 of 42 3-pointers in the IU series. The Buckeyes are on a three-game winning streak in the series while carrying an Associated Press Top 25 ranking into the IU game. Ohio State was ranked No. 13 nationally last year in a 69-52 win in Bloomington Feb. 10.
Ohio State vs. the Big Ten
Illinois 62-99
Indiana 72-99
Iowa 67-73
Michigan 87-71
Michigan State 50-58
Minnesota 76-55
Northwestern 107-45
Penn State 24-12
Purdue 75-82
Wisconsin 81-64
Total 701-658
Lighty Could Join Turner, Jackson in OSU Record Book
Evan Turner (1,517 pts., 682 rebs., 414 asts.) became just the second player in recorded history to reach 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 300 assists with eight helpers vs. Northwestern Jan. 19, 2010. Jim Jackson is the only other Buckeye to do so with 1,785 career points, 552 career rebounds and 372 career assists from 1990-92. David Lighty could join the duo this season. He currently has 1,180 points, 482 rebounds and 300 assists to his credit. Only 21 players in Ohio State history have scored more than 1,000 points and collected 500+ rebounds. Turner was the last to accomplish.
Matta off to BEST START TO OSU SEASON
With the win over Tennessee-Martin Monday, Thad Matta has led Ohio State to its first 13-0 start to a season over his seven-year tenure in Columbus. The Buckeyes started 11-0 in 2005-06.
Yr. Start Yr. W Strk. Postseason
1960-61 27-0 NCAA Title game
1961-62 22-0 NCAA Title game
1990-91 17-0 NCAA Regional Semifinal
2010-11 13-0
2005-06 11-0 NCAA 2nd Round
2008-09 9-0 NCAA First Round
Sixth FOW goes to Sullinger
Ohio State rookies have earned all seven Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week awards this season and Jared Sullinger claimed the league’s freshman of the week honor for the sixth time last Monday (classmate Deshaun Thomas has the other). Sullinger averaged 12.5 points and 12.5 rebounds in wins vs. UNC Asheville and Oakland last week. Sullinger also has a pair of conference player of the week awards. He is the first freshman to earn the league’s player of the week honor twice in a season since the Buckeyes’ Greg Oden did so as a rookie in 2006-07.
Matta Reaches Double-Digit Wins vs. Non-Conference Foes
Thad Matta has directed Ohio State to at least 10 wins during non-conference play in each of his seven seasons in Columbus. Matta is 90-17 vs. non-conference competition at Ohio State and 79-37 vs. Big Ten foes (regular season and Big Ten tournament games) for an overall record of 169-54. In 11 seasons as a head coach (1 at Butler, 3 at Xavier and 7 at Ohio State) Matta is 83-39 vs. the Big Ten. He has winning records vs. eight league teams (8-3 vs. ILL, 7-5 vs. IND, 7-4 vs. IOWA, 11-2 vs. MICH, 6-5 vs. MINN, 9-1 vs. NW, 12-0 vs. PSU, 10-5 vs. PUR, is tied with Michigan State (6-6) and is 7-8 vs. Wisconsin.
Non-Conf. Big Ten Overall
Yr. W L W L W L
2005 11 3 9 9 20 12
2006 12 1 14 5 26 6
2007 17 3 18 1 35 4
2008 14 4 10 9 24 13
2009 11 2 11 9 22 11
2010 12 4 17 4 29 8
2011 13 0 0 0 13 0
90 17 79 37 169 54
UNC Asheville, Oakland High-Lighty(s)
David Lighty, a senior from Cleveland, exploded for the first 11 points of the game, helping the Buckeyes to an 11-2 lead over the first 2:45 of the game against UNC Asheville. He went for a season-high 29 points, setting career highs in made 3-point field goals (7), 3-point field goals attempted (10 and made field goals (11). Lighty started his 100th game of his career vs. Oakland and played in his 133rd career game, tied for No. 2 all-time with Jerry Francis, against UT Martin earlier this week. Last week the senior from Cleveland averaged 21.0 points in wins vs. UNC Asheville and Oakland. He connected on 60 percent of his field goals (15-25) and on 10 of 14 3-pointers (.714). He shot 70 percent from 3-point-range (7-10) vs. UNCA.
Jon “3-Bler” Diebler Strikes vs. FGCU
Senior Jon Diebler turned in another record individual performance in the span of three games for the 13-0 and No. 2-ranked Buckeyes. After freshman Jared Sullinger set all sorts of Big Ten, Ohio State and personal marks with 40 points vs. IUPUI Dec. 9, Diebler followed suit making 9-of-14 3s in the win vs. Florida Gulf Coast Dec. 15.
Noting Diebler’s 3-point barrage vs. FGCU:
- Most 3s made at Value City Arena-9
- Most 3s made in OSU history-tie
- Most 3s attempted in a game-14 (tie)
- Second most 3s made in Big Ten history-tie
- Most consecutive 3s made in OSU History-9
- Most 3s made at Value City Arena-9
- Most 3s attempted at Value City Arena-14 (tie)
- Last Big Ten player with 9 made 3s was Matt Roth of Indiana vs. OSU 1/31/09
- Diebler moved to No. 7 all-time in Big Ten history with 293 made 3s (now has 294), an OSU career record
Sullinger with another record outing
Freshman Jared Sullinger scored a game-high 40 points for the Buckeyes in the 75-64 win vs. IUPUI Dec. 9. Along the way, the 6-foot-9-inch Columbus native set numerous Ohio State records. He then followed that effort with a 30-point, 19 rebound outing in the victory over South Carolina Dec. 18. He has since added 16 boards vs. UNC Asheville, tied for the fifth-most by an OSU rookie in a single game.
Noting Sullinger’s 40-point game vs. IUPUI:
- Most Points by an Ohio State freshman-40
- Most FTs Made by an Ohio State freshman-16
- 3rd-T Free Throws Made at Ohio State
- Most FTA by an Ohio State freshman-23
- 10th-T FTs attempted in Big Ten history
- 3rd Most FTs attempted in Big Ten history
- 2nd 40-pt. by a Big Ten freshman all-time
- No. 17-T Single Game Scoring at Ohio State
- 57th time OSU player to score 35+ in a game-
- Last time OSU player scored 35 or more pts. in a game was by Brent Darby (35) vs. Duke in 2002.
- Last time OSU player scored 40 or more pts. in a game was by Dennis Hopson (41) at Dayton in 1986.
- Last time a Big Ten player scored 40 or more pts. in a game was by Shawn Respert of Michigan State vs. Indiana, 1/11/95.
Noting Sullinger’s 30 pt., 19 reb. game vs. USC:
- Fifth double-double of the season and ninth game in double figures
- Tied 3rd-most points by a freshman in a game
- Tied for the third-most in Value City Arena (David Lighty vs. Cleveland St., 12/22/09 and Scoonie Penn vs. Wisconsin, 2/24/99 each had 30)
- 19 rebounds are a Value City Arena record (Evan Turner had 17 11/12/09 vs. James Madison and 11/9/10 vs. Alcorn St.)
- Tied for second for most rebounds in a game for a freshman (Herb Williams had 22 vs. Marshall, 11/28/77). Greg Oden had 19 boards vs. Purdue March 10, 2007
- Defensive rebounds (14) are the most for an Ohio State freshman (Greg Oden previously held the record with 13 vs. Tennessee on 1/13/07).
- Defensive rebounds are tied for most defensive boards in Value City Arena history (Evan Turner vs. James Madison, 11/12/09)
- Hit first career 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the first half, giving Ohio State a 42-21 halftime advantage
Lighty records Win No. 100
Senior David Lighty has been a part of 108 victories during his tenure as a Buckeye. His freshman season Ohio State won 35 games followed by 24 as a sophomore and 29 as a junior in 2009-10. Lighty is credited with seven wins at the start of the 2008-09 season, which ended for the 6-foot-5 guard from Cleveland when he broke his right foot and earned a medical redshirt season. The Buckeyes are off to a 13-0 start this year.
Five “Score” and More
Five Ohio State players already have tallied a score (20) or more points in a game 11 times after 13 contests this season. Freshman Deshaun Thomas tallied 24 points in his collegiate debut Nov. 12 vs. North Carolina A&T and then scored 20 in the most rectent win vs. UT-Martin. Another rookie, center Jared Sullinger, along with senior David Lighty each scored 26 points in the win at then-No. 9 Florida Nov. 16. Fellow senior, guard Jon Diebler, contributed 20 points in Ohio State’s home win over Morehead State Nov. 23 and then most recently with a career-high 29 vs. Florida Gulf Coast Dec. 15. Lighty tallied 21 against Miami (Ohio) Nov. 26 and added a season-high 29 vs. UNC Asheville. Sullinger poured in 40 points for the Buckeyes in the recent win vs. IUPUI Dec. 9, a 75-64 victory and then added 30 points vs. South Carolina Dec. 18 (W 79-57). William Buford is the most recent Buckeye to break the 20-point barrier with a game-high 23 vs. UT Martin Monday. Lighty (4), Diebler (7), Buford (6) and 2010 National Player of the Year Evan Turner (10) all scored 20 or more points multiple times last season.
Buckeyes Balanced Offensively
After 13 games, Ohio State has five players, including four starters, average double-figures offensively. Freshman Jared Sullinger leads the team with 17.5 points per game. Sullinger also is the squad’s top rebounder with 10.2 a contest. Senior David Lighty is next with 12.9 ppg., followed by classmate Jon Diebler (12.2 ppg.) and junior William Buford with 13.3 ppg. Freshman Deshaun Thomas contributes 11.7 ppg.
Freshman Aaron Craft leads with 63 total assists. Senior starting center Dallas Lauderdale has 32 of the team’s 51 blocks on the year. Lauderdale also makes 65 percent of his field goals (33 of 51) while Sullinger (81-137/.591), Craft (25-47/.532) Thomas (57-112/.509) and Diebler (51-100/.510) all connect at 50+ percent from the field. Diebler has made 39 3-pointers on the season on 81 attempts (.481).
Diebler Moving Up in Big Ten
Senior Jon Diebler is among the Big Ten’s all-time Top 10 leaders in made 3-pointers. The sharpshooter from Upper Sandusky, Ohio, has made 299 career 3s, tied for No. 6 on the all-time Big Ten list. He has averaged 2.50 made 3s a game for his 120-game career. On that pace, he will become the Big Ten’s all-time leader. Ohio State has a minimum of 19 games remaining, 18 in regular season games and at least one in the Big Ten tournament. He is on pace to make 60 more 3s this season, or 359 for his career. Pete Lisicky of Penn State (1994-98) currently owns the top spot in conference history with 332 made 3-pointers.
Big Ten Career 3-point leaders
1. 332 Pete Lisicky, PSU 1994-98
2. 331 Shawn Respert, MSU 1991-95
3. 327 Cory Bradford, ILL 1998-2002
4. 320 Craig Moore, NU 2006-09
5. 308 Joe Crispin, PSU 1998-2001
6. 299 Jon Diebler, OSU 2008-
299 Dee Brown, ILL 2002-06
8. 283 A.J. Guyton, IND 1997-2000
9. 271 Drew Neitzel, MSU 2004-08
10. 268 Dion Harris, MICH 2003-07
Noting the UT Martin Game:
Ohio State 100, UT Martin 40 (Dec. 27)
- Ohio State’s four returning starters (Jon Diebler, David Lighty, Dallas Lauderdale and William Buford) have combined for 344 career starts and 449 games played.
- Ohio State moved to 133-23 (.853) at Value City Arena, improving to 79-5 vs. non-conference opponents.
- The 13-0 overall record is the fourth-best start in Ohio State history (1960-61, 27-0; 1961-62, 22-0; 1990-91, 17-0).
- Ohio State now has won 13 home games in a row (last home loss was to Purdue on 2/17/10).
- As a ranked team, Ohio State is 374-105 all-time.
- Ohio State improved to 26-7 when ranked second in the country, and 111-17 when ranked among the Top 3 in the country.
- When ranked in the Top 10 nationally, Ohio State is 253-56 with wins in 44 of its last 46 outings.
- The Buckeye freshmen have accounted for 48 percent of total scoring for the season, including 51 of Ohio State’s 100 total points against Tennessee-Martin.
- The Buckeyes are now 1-0 vs. UTM all-time and 13-0 vs. teams from the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC).
- This is the 237th-consecutive game Ohio State has made at least one 3-point field goal (1/10/04 vs. Penn State was the last game with zero made).
- Ohio State had five players score in double-figures and 10 overall against the Skyhawks.
- Ohio State has had a player record a double-double (10+ points, rebs, assists, steals or blocks) in 812 games all-time. The Buckeyes are 555-257 in those contests (.682). Freshman Jared Sullinger (18/11) recorded a double-double in the win vs. UTM Monday.
- The 60-point margin of victory is the largest for Ohio State on the season (previous high was 47 vs. UNC Asheville, 12/21/10). It also is the ninth-largest in Ohio State history (largest since OSU def. Howard 114-58 by a 61-point margin of victory, 12/14/91).
- The win against UTM is the second time this season Ohio State has scored 100 points or more (102-61 win vs. UNC A&T, 11/12/10).
- Tennessee-Martin’s 40 total points are the fewest given up by Ohio State in 2010.
- Ohio State had 13 steals as a team, a new season high (previous high was 12 vs. UNC Asheville, 12/21/10).
- Ohio State began the contest on a 12-0 run extending it to an 18-2 run. They also had a 13-0 run and run in the first half.
- The Buckeyes began the second-half on an 18-0 run. Tennessee-Martin didn’t score its first basket until 14:24 remaining in the second half.
- Freshmen Jared Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas were a combined 9-11 from the field in the first half.
- The 13-0 record to begin the season is the best start for Thad Matta at Ohio State (previous best was in 2005-06, when the team began 11-0) and his first time completing a non-conference schedule undefeated.
- With the win, Ohio State is 42-6 (.875) in December under Matta and 7-0 this season, tying his previous best mark set in 2005-06.
- Matta improved his career record to 271-85 overall and 169-54 at Ohio State.
- Matta is 90-17 vs. non-conference competition at Ohio State and 79-37 vs. Big Ten foes (regular season and Big Ten tournament games) for an overall record of 169-54. He is 110-10 in Columbus.
- During Matta’s tenure at Ohio State, the Buckeyes are 155-5 when leading with five minutes to play.
- The Buckeyes are 11-0 this season and 152-17 when shooting a better field goal percentage than the opponent.
- When outrebounding their opponent, the Buckeyes are 9-0 this year and 96-14 under Matta (Ohio State outrebounded UTM 49-28).
- When Ohio State has fewer than 15 turnovers, they are 12-0 on the season and 140-43 under Matta (OSU had nine turnovers vs. UTM).
- Matta is now 2-0 vs. UTM in his career and 9-0 vs. teams from the Ohio Valley Conference.
- Against unranked teams at home, Matta is 98-2. He is 141-20 vs. unranked teams overall.
- Under Matta, Ohio State is 9-0 in 2010 and 113-11 overall when scoring 70 or more points in a game.
- Junior guard William Buford led the Buckeyes with 23 points, pushing his career total to 1,067. He passed Jamie Skelton and Ken Johnson (1,055) for 42nd-place all-time in career scoring at Ohio State. He is six points away from tying Carter Scott (1,073) for 41st place.
- Buford scored the first seven points of the game and 10 of the first 15. He finished the game with a season-high 23 points (previous high was 17 vs. FGCU, 12/15/10).
- Big Ten Freshman of the Week (his sixth of the season) Jared Sullinger finished the contest with 18 points. Sullinger has scored at least 10 points in 11 out or 13 games this season.
- Sullinger posted his sixth double-double this year, finishing with 18 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
- With two made 3-pointers vs. UTM, senior Jon Diebler now has 299 for his career, tying Dee Brown (Illinois – 299) for sixth-place in career 3-pointers made in Big Ten history. He is nine away from tying Joe Crispin (308, Penn St. 1998-2001) for fifth-place.
- With two made 3-pointers, Diebler extends his streak to 29 games in a row with at least one 3-pointer made.
- With six points against the Skyhawks, Diebler now has 1,227 career points, passing John Havlicek (1,220) for 28th place in career scoring in Ohio State history. He is one point away from tying Larry Siegfried (1,228) for 27th place.
- The game vs. UTM marked senior David Lighty’s 101st career start for Ohio State, tying Troy Taylor for ninth place in career games started at Ohio State. He is four starts away from tying Jim Smith for eighth place in career games started for the Buckeyes.
- With 10 points, Lighty passed Lawrence Funderburke (1,179) for 31st place on the all-time scoring list at Ohio State with 1,180 career points, 31 behind Luke Witte for 30th all-time.
- Lighty recorded his 108th win as a Buckeye vs. the Skyhawk. He had 35 as a freshman, 25 as a sophomore, 29 as a junior and seven during the 2008-09 season when he received a medical redshirt because of a broken foot. He is three wins away from owning the Ohio State record.
- Lighty has played in 133 games as a Buckeye, which ties Jerry Francis (1986-89) for second place all-time.
- Lighty had two steals, passing Jamaal Brown and Ronnie Stokes (158) and tying Evan Turner (159) for third place all-time at Ohio State. He also recorded five assists to give him 300 for his career.
- Freshman guard Aaron Craft finished the game with a team-high seven assists. He now has 63 assists on the season to just 25 turnovers.
- Freshman Deshaun Thomas scored 20 points for the Buckeyes. He scored in double-figures for the seventh time this season and reached 20 points for the second time.
- Senior Dallas Lauderdale recorded one block to move his career total to 191, which is third in Ohio State history. He has at least one block in 12 of 13 games this season.
Buford Reaches 1,000 Career Points
Ohio State boasts three players with at least 1,000 career points scored since junior William Buford reached the 96 points he needed in the 2010-11 season. With 17 points in the win vs. Florida Gulf Coast Dec. 15, Buford reached 1,000 and now has 1,064 career points, the 47th Buckeye all-time to reach 1,000. He scored 372 as a freshman and 532 a year ago for a total of 904 entering the campaign.
Seniors David Lighty (1,180) and Jon Diebler (1,226) joined Ohio State’s 1,000-point club late last season. Diebler became the 45th player in Ohio State history to reach the 1,000 point plateau with 14 against Illinois March 13, 2010. Lighty reached 1,000 points with 18 vs. Georgia Tech in the second round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. He was the third Buckeye, along with Evan Turner and Diebler, to achieve the feat last season. Lighty was the 46th player to reach 1,000 points in an Ohio State uniform.
Diebler On Track to Shatter Records
Senior Jon Diebler already owns several Ohio State 3-point shooting records and looks to increase his career totals from long range while setting new career marks in his last year of eligibility. Diebler’s career total of 299 made 3s and single season mark of 116 a year ago are Ohio State records. He has increased his shooting percentage during each of his three years at Ohio State from 29 percent as a freshman to 41.6 percent as a sophomore and 42 percent a season ago. He is currently shooting 48 percent from long range (39-81) and is at 40 percent for his career (299-754).
Diebler is Three King
With four 3s in the 2010 Big Ten semifinal against Illinois, junior Jon Diebler surpassed Jamar Butler as the all-time leader at Ohio State in 3-point makes. Butler played from 2005-08 and averaged nearly 61 made 3s a season (242 total). Diebler has averaged 75 (299 total) a season over four years. Butler’s career percentage from long range ranks No. 8 all time at 37.2 percent accuracy (242-650). Diebler is shooting 39.7 percent (299-754) for his career. This after connecting on just 29 percent (48-166) as a freshman. He shot 42 percent as a sophomore (96-231) and made 42 percent last season (116-276).
In just four seasons has a Buckeye made 80 or more 3s. Diebler has two of those after knocking down 96 treys as a sophomore and 116 last year. Diebler set the single-season record for made 3s in a season after making 11 treys in Milwaukee in the opening rounds of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. Diebler surpassed the century mark from long range with five makes in the 2010 Big Ten Tournament title victory over Minnesota.
Lighty Offers Veteran Leadership
Fifth-year senior David Lighty has battled injury over his career, missing the majority of the 2008-09 season with a broken bone in his right foot and then re-injuring the same foot during off-season workouts following the 2009-10 season. He is on track to be ready for the start of this season. Lighty has played in 133 games during his career, starting 101. He could be Ohio State’s all-time leader in game appearances when his eligibility expires at the end of the 2010-11 season. He was part of the 2007 NCAA Championship game, three NCAA tournament appearances, a National Invitational Tournament title (2009), a pair of Big Ten Tournament titles (2007, 2010) and two Big Ten championships (2007, 2010) during his tenure as a Buckeye.
Ohio State vs. The Ranked
The Buckeyes have an all-time record of 135-221 vs. ranked opponents in the Associated Press Top 25. That includes a mark of 55-112 vs. Top 10 foes. As a ranked team, Ohio State is 374-105 all-time. In games when both teams enter with a Top 25 ranking, Ohio State is 55-47. When ranked among the Top 10 nationally, Ohio State is 253-56 with wins in 44 of last 46 outings.
Wins Follow Buckeye Double-Doubles
Ohio State has had a player record a double-double (10+ points, rebs, assists, steals or blocks) in 812 games. The Buckeyes are 555-257 in those contests (.683). Freshman Jared Sullinger (18/11) last recorded a double-double in the win vs. Tennessee-Martin Dec. 27.
Double Digit 3s
Ohio State has made 10 or more 3-pointers in a game 71 times since the shot was instituted for the 1986-87 season. The Buckeyes are 60-11 in those games after knocking down 10-of-28 treys against Oakland Dec. 23. Opponents have made double-digit 3s 87 times and are 35-52 in those games vs. the Buckeyes. Matta’s Ohio State teams are 47-9 when making 10 or more 3s in a game. Opponents are 9-29 against Matta-coached teams when making 10 or more treys.
Buckeyes win title vs. Eagles
Ohio State claimed the best record in the Global Sports Invitational with a victory vs. Morehead State (64-45, Nov. 23). Ohio State was 4-0 in the event. Florida went 3-1, North Carolina A&T 1-3, and UNC Wilmington 2-2. Morehead State finished 0-4.
Buford, Sullinger Make Naismith List
Junior guard William Buford and freshman center Jared Sullinger, both Ohio natives, are among the early contenders for the Naismith Award, given annually to the college national player of the year by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. Ohio State’s Evan Turner was selected for the honor after the 2009-10 season. In late February, the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors will compile a mid-season team of the Top 30 players in the nation. Then in March, the Naismith Trophy voting academy will vote to narrow the list to the four finalists.
Sullinger, Williams Start Careers in Similar Fashion
Ohio State freshman Jared Sullinger recorded a pair of double-doubles in his debut games as a Buckeye. He tallied 19 points and 14 rebounds in his first career game vs. NC A&T Nov. 12 and followed that effort with 26 points and 10 boards at Florida Nov. 16. He is the first freshman to start his career with back-to-back double-doubles since Herb Williams tallied three-consecutive D-Ds as a rookie in 1977. Williams did so against California Hayward (34/10), Marshall (21/22) and Stetson (18/16). Sullinger has four career double-doubles in seven games after grabbing 13 rebounds and scoring 40 points vs. IUPUI Dec. 9.
Buckeyes Know Mr. Basketball
The last four Associated Press Ohio HS Mr. Basketball awards have been earned by current Ohio State players. Senior Jon Diebler claimed the honor in 2007, junior William Buford claimed the honor in 2008 and freshman Jared Sullinger won it in both 2009 and 2010. Deshaun Thomas, another Ohio State rookie, claimed Indiana’s Mr. Basketball honor last year as a senior at Bishop Luers HS in Fort Wayne, Ind. Ohio State has had two of the last five Mr. Basketball honorees in Indiana with Greg Oden earning the honor in 2006.
Buckeyes Picked to Finish 2nd in Big Ten
Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue. That is the 2010-11 order of finish the Big Ten media selected at the annual media day in Chicago in late October. The Buckeyes return four starters and welcome one of the nation’s top recruiting classes after finishing the 2009-10 season 29-8 overall and winning the postseason conference tournament, a share of the regular-season crown and advancing to the 2010 NCAA Tournament “Sweet 16.”
Feast or Famine
The four returning starters (David Lighty, Dallas Lauderdale, Jon Diebler and William Buford) from the 2009-10 season have played a combined 449 games at Ohio State with a total of 344 starts. Senior David Lighty leads that list with 133 games played and 101 starts.
Pollsters Like Buckeyes Early
Both the Associated Press (No. 4) and the ESPN/USA Today Coaches (No. 5) polls rated the Buckeyes among the nation’s elite teams heading into the 2010-11 season. Ohio State is currently ranked No. 2 in both polls. Opponents on the 2010-11 schedule Michigan State, Purdue, Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Northwestern are among the Top 25 or receiving votes for consideration in one or both polls.
Buford Works with U.S. National Team
Junior William Buford was selected as one of 20 collegiate athletes to practice against the U.S. National Team July 19-24 in Las Vegas. Buford is Ohio State’s top returning scorer from the 2009-10 campaign at 14.4 points a game. He started all 37 contests for Ohio State a year ago and will be looked to for his offense and improving defense as a team veteran this season.
Career Gives Lighty Chance at Lowe’s Senior CLass Award
David Lighty is among several candidates for the 2010-11 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, presented each year to the outstanding senior NCAA Division I Student-Athlete of the Year across nine different sports. The acronym “CLASS” stands for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®. The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award celebrates the loyalty of seniors that honor a four-year commitment to their university. The Senior CLASS Award® recognizes these student-athletes for great achievement during competition and in their community while staying in school.
Schedule Notes
The Buckeyes made two trips to Florida in 2010. Ohio State defeated the University of Florida 93-75 Nov. 16 and traveled for the annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge Nov. 30 at Florida State (W 58-44). South Carolina will face the Buckeyes in Columbus Dec. 18 to start a home-and-home series with USC. Northwestern and Michigan State face the Buckeyes once this season with Ohio State traveling to Evanston and playing host to the Spartans. All other league teams face the Buckeyes home-and-home. The Buckeyes open the league season at Indiana Saturday. Happy New Year!
Buckeyes Again Look to Develop a Point
Thad Matta, now in his seventh season as the head coach of the Buckeyes, moved forward Evan Turner to the point guard position after the 2008-09 season. The experiment worked with Turner developing into the 2010 National Player of the Year and the No. 2 pick (Philadelphia) in the 2010 NBA Draft. The point guard position will again be open entering camp this year. Freshman Aaron Craft will get an opportunity but veterans David Lighty, Jon Diebler and William Buford could handle the position by committee as well. All have been working on the skills necessary to run the Buckeyes during the 2010-11 campaign.
Matta Looks for Another 20-Win Season
For each of the last 10 seasons, all as a head coach, Thad Matta has guided teams to at least 20 victories. Only Mark Few, among active coaches, has more consecutive 20-win seasons to start a career (11). Matta set the Ohio State record for consecutive 20-win campaigns in 2008-09 with a 22-11 record and extended it with a 29-8 campaign last season, the sixth-consecutive Ohio State season with 20+ victories. The previous record was four held by the 1960-63 teams under legendary head coach Fred Taylor. Matta also has won at least 10 Big Ten regular-season games in each of the last five seasons. That effort tied Taylor’s mark of 10+ league wins in each of the seasons from 1960-64. Those were during 14-game regular-season slates. The Big Ten played a 16-game schedule in Matta’s first three seasons (8, 12, 15 league wins) and an 18-game schedule the last three (10, 10, 14).
Dickerson Added to Staff
Dave Dickerson, former head coach at Tulane, was added to the Big Ten Champion Ohio State men’s basketball staff as an assistant coach in April. Dickerson replaced Alan Major, who accepted the head coaching position at Charlotte after last season. Prior to his time in New Orleans, Dickerson spent nine years as an assistant under former Ohio State coach Gary Williams at Maryland, his alma mater, and in 2004-05, was the program’s associate head coach. Dickerson also served as assistant coach at Gardner Webb (1990-91), James Madison (1991-92) and Radford (1993-96) before returning to Maryland. As a player, he lettered for the Terrapins from 1986-89, earning team captain status as a senior. A native of Olar, S.C., Dickerson graduated from Maryland in 1990 with a degree in government and politics.
Sullinger Second Recruit to Earn Naismith HS Award in Last 5 yrs.
Jared Sullinger was named the Naismith High School Player of the Year March 10, 2010 by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. Sullinger is the second Thad Matta recruit to earn the award in the last five years. Greg Oden earned the honor in 2006. Sullinger, of Columbus Northland HS, averaged 24 points, 12 rebounds and nearly two blocks a game for his national No. 1 ranked high school squad, which was coached by his father “Satch” Sullinger, the 2010 Naismith High School Coach of the Year.
Buckeyes Comfortable at VCA
The Buckeyes are 10-0 at home this season in Value City Arena (1-0 at St. John Arena). Ohio State finished 17-1 at home last season, the second most home victories in a season at Ohio State. The Buckeyes shot 52 percent at home and 41 percent from 3-point range in 2009-10. The team reached 100 or more points three times and averaged a margin of victory of +22.1. The Buckeyes opened the 2010-11 campaign with a 102-61 victory over NC A&T and recently defeated UT-Martin 100-40. Ohio State is 69-1 all-time when scoring 100 or more points in a game.
Buckeye Class of 2011 Added
Five student-athletes were added to the Buckeye men’s basketball program during the NCAA National of Letter of Intent early signing period Nov. 10-17. Three inked the first day, one, LaQuinton Ross, was added Nov. 14 and on the final day center Amir Williams became a Buckeye. The class of high school seniors is rated by analysts as a Top 5 class nationally.
Shannon Scott, son of former North Carolina star Charlie Scott, will play the point position for the Buckeyes when he arrives in Columbus. As a high school player to date, Shannon (6-2, 165) led Milton High School in Alpharetta, Ga., to the 5A state championship with an overall 29-4 record as a junior. The squad was ranked No. 1 during the title run. He averaged 13 points and 8.0 assists last year.
Sam Thompson is the latest student-athlete from the Chicago area to join the Buckeyes. Evan Turner, the 2010 National Player of the Year and current Ohio State freshman Lenzelle Smith Jr., also call Chicagoland their home.
Thompson (6-6, 190) plays for Whitney Young High School in downtown Chicago where he won a state title as a sophomore with a 25-9 record. The squad was ranked No. 1 in Illinois that season. As a junior, Thompson led Whitney Young to a runner up finish in the state tournament with a record of 23-7. He averaged nearly 12 points. 8.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks a game.
Trey McDonald, a 6-9, 230-pound center, plays for Battle Creek (Mich.) High School. His squad finished 11-9 last season. An all-city and all-conference performer as a junior, McDonald led his team in scoring with 10 points a game to go along with 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks an outing.
Ross, a 6-8, 195-pound forward from Jackson, Miss., joined the Buckeyes after his official visit Nov. 15. Ross played his junior season at Life Center Academy in Burlington, N.J., where he averaged nearly 17 points and eight rebounds a game. His team finished with a 14-6 record in 2009-10.
Williams, a 6-10 center from Detroit County Day High School, is rated No. 2 at his position nationally by ESPN, averaged 15.0 ppg., 10.2 rpg. and 4.8 bpg as a junior at Detroit Country Day in 2009-10. He was selected to the Max Preps 2010 Junior All-America third team and named an all-state selection after leading his team to the state championship a year ago. With USA Basketball, Williams was a member of the 2010 USA U18 National Team that compiled a 5-0 record, captured the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship gold medal and qualified the U.S. for the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship.
