Matta To Coach Game No. 400 in Career Saturday – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/20/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 20, 2012
Jan. 21, 2012
No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes (16-3, 4-2) at Nebraska Cornhuskers (10-8, 2-5)
Site: Devaney Center (13,595)
Game Time: 8 p.m. ET
Television: Big Ten Network
Talent: Eric Collins (play-by-play); Jim Jackson (expert analysis)
Radio: OSU-IMG Sports Network (56 stations)
Satellite Radio: Sirius-91, XM-91
Local Radio: WBNS FM-97.1 AM-1460
Radio Talent: Paul Keels (play-by-play); Ron Stokes (expert analysis)
Vote for Matta: Coaches Challenge
Matta Reaches Game 400 as head Coach
Thad Matta has a career record of 308-91 (399 career games) over 12 years as a head coach, which includes a 206-60 record in eight seasons at Ohio State. Matta coached for one season at Butler and three at Xavier before taking over the Ohio State program for the 2004-05 season. In his time with the Buckeyes, Matta has four Big Ten regular season titles and three Big Ten tournament crowns. The Buckeyes have been to five NCAA tournaments with Matta at the helm. He has taken nine teams to NCAA tournament play and won the 2008 National Invitational Tournament with Ohio State.
Buford Reaches 100 Wins as a Buckeye
Senior William Buford reached career win No. 100 as a Buckeye at Iowa Jan. 7. David Lighty (2007-11) holds the Ohio State recored for wins with 129. Walk-ons Mark Titus and Danny Peters were part of Ohio State’s program for 110 victories over their careers (2007-10). The four-year record for victories by scholarship players was originally set by Jamar Butler and Matt Terwilliger from 2005-08 with 105. The 2009 team had 107 wins from 2006-09 but there were no four-year seniors on that squad.
Wins Seniors Yr.-by-Yr.
129 David Lighty (2007-2011) 35,24,7,29,34
110 Danny Peters, Mark Titus (2007-10) 35,24,22,29
109 Jon Diebler, Dallas Lauderdale (2008-11) 24,22,29,34
107 None (2006-09) 26,35,24,22
105 Jamar Butler, Matt Terwilliger (2005-08) 20,26,35,24
101 William Buford (2009-12) 22,29,34,16
Sullinger named B1G Player of the Week
Sophomore Jared Sullinger was named the Big Ten Player of the Week Jan. 9 after averaging a double-double in wins over Nebraska and Iowa with 23.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. He recorded 19 points and 12 rebounds in Ohio State’s 71-40 win over Nebraska before pouring in 28 points, eight rebounds and four steals in the Buckeyes’ 76-47 road win at Iowa. This is Sullinger’s fifth career Player of the Week award and first this season.
Craft In Top 20 for Cousy Award
Sophomore Aaron Craft is among 20 candidates for the Bob Cousy Award after the list was trimmed from an initial pool of 60 candidates. The annual honor, named for Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic Bob Cousy, recognizes the top point guards in college basketball. This current list of candidates will be narrowed down to a final 10 by Feb. 1 and final five by March 1. Craft currently leads the Buckeyes in assists (93) and steals (45).
The Buckeyes in the Big Ten
The Buckeyes rank No. 2 in both scoring offense (77.9 ppg.) and scoring defense (56.6 ppg.) after a 16-3 overall start. Ohio State’s scoring margin of 21.3 ppg. leads the league while the .497 field goal shooting percentage rates in the No. 1 spot with Indiana. Led by Jared Sullinger, Ohio State is among the Top 2 teams in rebounding offense (37.1 rpg., No. 2) and rebounding defense (28.9 rpg., No. 1). Overall, the Buckeyes are No. 2 in rebound margin (+8.2 rpg.). Behind Aaron Craft, Ohio State is the leader in assists (16.9 apg.), steals (8.4 spg.) and turnover margin (+6.3) on the year among Big Ten teams. The Buckeyes also have the highest attendance in the league with 15,755 attending on average this season.
100 Years in Big Ten
Ohio State celebrates 100 years as a member of the Big Ten Conference in men’s basketball in 2012. The Buckeyes finished in the No. 6 spot in the 1913 conference standings, the first season of league play. Over the 99 previous seasons, Ohio State has earned 19 Big Ten regular-season titles with 23 NCAA tournament appearances, one national championship (1960) and nine trips to the Final Four. Eight former coaches and players are members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame while nearly 50 student-athletes have been drafted by National Basketball Association teams, including 22 in the first round.
Ohio State vs. Nebraska
Ohio State leads the series 5-2 after the win earlier this season in Columbus (W 71-40, Jan. 3). The Buckeyes are 1-1 vs. the Cornhuskers in Lincoln. Ohio State has not played in Lincoln since Dec. 5, 1987, a 72-63 win for the Buckeyes. Ohio State has been ranked twice previously in the series with OSU winning both games. The Buckeyes enter the contest this year as the No. 6 team in the most recent Associated Press Poll. Jared Sullinger led Ohio State with 19 points and 12 rebounds Jan. 3 in Ohio State’s 71-40 victory in Columbus. Sophomore classmate Deshaun Thomas added 15 points while senior William Buford pitching in 13 points. Thomas was 7 of 9 from the field (.778).
Ohio State vs. the Big Ten
Ohio State is 728-664 vs. current members of the Big Ten Conference. The Buckeyes are playing their 100th season of Big Ten Basketball this season.
OSU vs. The Big Ten
Illinois 64-100
Indiana 75-100
Iowa 70-73
Michigan 90-71
Michigan State 51-58
Minnesota 78-55
Nebraska 5-2
Northwestern 110-45
Penn State 27-12
Purdue 76-83
Wisconsin 82-65
Totals 728-663
Thomas Named B1G Player of Week
Ohio State sophomore Deshaun Thomas made 17-consecutive shots from inside the 3-point line in games vs. South Carolina Upstate (Dec. 14) and at South Carolina (Dec. 17). He made his last six attempts against S.C. Upstate and then all 11 2-pointers in the road win at South Carolina. For the season he is shooting 63 percent from 2-point range (88-139). He was 19-21 from short range the week of Dec. 12 while shooting 74 percent overall (23-31), including a 13-16 shooting effort at South Carolina, where he tallied a career-high 30 points. He averaged 26.5 points in the two games. His efforts earned him the Big Ten Player of the Week honor. The last Ohio State player to earn the honor was Jon Diebler March 7, 2011. Thomas was named the league’s freshman of the week once last season.
The Third to 200 as a Buckeye
Two previous coaches have reached the 200-win plateau at Ohio State. Thad Matta became the third with the 74-66 win at South Carolina Dec. 17. Fred Taylor recorded 297 career victories from 1959-1976 while also earning 158 Big Ten Conference regular-season victories. Harold G. Olsen tallied 259 all-time wins from 1923-46. He accumulated 154 Big Ten victories. Matta has 206 wins as a Buckeye over eight seasons with 89 wins in Big Ten regular-season play. His winning percentage of 77.4 overall and 70.6 in conference play are tops among the 13 head coaches in Ohio State history.
Ross Returns to Ohio State Roster
LaQuinton Ross, a 6-foot-8-inch freshman forward from Jackson, Miss., was been added to the Ohio Stare roster for the remainder of his freshman season. Ross attended classes and worked out with the Buckeyes over the summer before leaving the team just prior to the start of official practice in October to work on meeting NCAA academic qualification requirements. He met those requirements and joined the team Dec. 11. He officially became eligible Dec. 9. He dressed for the first time in his No. 10 Ohio State uniform vs. South Carolina Upstate. His first game action came against Miami (Ohio) at Nationwide Arena Dec. 22. He knocked down his first career field goal attempt, a 3-pointer, and finished with 5 points in four minutes of court time.
NCAA Stats Update (as of 1/15/12)
Ohio State rates among the Top 10 in several NCAA statistical categories after 19 games. The Buckeyes are No. 1 in scoring margin (+21.3 ppg.), No. 2 in turnover margin (+6.2) and No. 10 in both field goal percentage (.497) and rebound margin (+8.1) The Buckeyes have the third longest home win streak in the country at 36. Kentucky (46, next vs. Alabama Jan. 21) and Duke (44, Wake Forest, Jan. 19) lead the nation.
Ohio State at No. 6 in polls
Ohio State is No. 6 in the Associated Press poll released Jan. 16. The Buckeyes are 18-8 all-time as the No. 6-ranked team in the AP poll and 35-30 when both teams are ranked in the Top 15 after the win vs. No. 7 Indiana. In the most recent poll seven Buckeyes’ opponents are among the Top 25.
Buford 17th to Reach 1,500 Career Pts.
With 23 points against VMI Nov. 23, senior William Buford surpassed 1,500 career points to become the 17th Buckeye in history to reach that mark. Over 125 career games, Buford has averaged 13.7 points for a total of 1,713. He also became the 16th player all-time to reach both 1,500 points and the 500-rebound mark (559) with five boards vs. Duke Nov. 29.
Sullinger Moving up Career Double-Double Charts
Sophomore Jared Sullinger has recorded at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in three of the last five games he has played for a career total of 26. He tied the Ohio State freshman record with 18 double-doubles a season ago. His career total is 13th all-time. Evan Turner was the most recent Buckeye to reach 20 or more career double-doubles with 27 from 2008-10. That total is tied for No. 11 all-time with John Havlicek (1960-62). Through 17 games, Sullinger is averaging 17.3 points and 9.3 rebounds a game. He tallied 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds a game as a freshman.
Buckeyes Opened with Eight at Home
The Buckeyes played the last of their first eight games at home, the longest streak of home games to start a season since the 1909-10 team began the campaign with 10-consecutive games in Columbus, vs. UTPA Dec. 3. That run was the longest to start a season since the opening of Value City Arena for the 1998-99 season. The Buckeyes opened with six at home (6-0) in 2006-07 at VCA and seven games (5-2) at St. John Arena in 1997-98. The Buckeyes made their first road trip of the season this year to Kansas Dec. 10.
Noting the Indiana Game (Jan. 15)
• The win vs. Indiana was the 36th-consecutive victory at home for Ohio State dating back to the game vs. Michigan on Feb. 27, 2010. The streak is the third-longest in the country behind Duke and Kentucky.
• The 36-consecutive home game win streak is the second-longest in Ohio State history. The Buckeyes won 50 in a row from 12/1/59 – 12/11/64.
• The game was the fifth time in history that both teams have met when ranked in the Top 10. The previous four took place during the 1991-92 seasons, with the teams splitting 2-2.
• The last time Ohio State defeated Indiana when both teams were ranked in the Top 10 was 2/17/91, with the Buckeyes winning 97-95 in 2OT. Ohio State was No. 2 and Indiana was No. 4.
• The Buckeyes move to 75-100 all-time vs. Indiana, having won seven of the previous eight meetings. Ohio State is 51-34 at home against the Hoosiers.
• As a ranked team, the Buckeyes are 19-12 vs. the Hoosiers.
• When both teams are ranked in the Top 25, Ohio State is 6-8 vs. the Hoosiers.
• Ohio State moves to 728-664 overall in the Big Ten and is 37-7 in last 44 Big Ten matchups, dating back to 3/8/09.
• As a ranked team, Ohio State is 411-111 overall and when ranked in the AP Top 10, the Buckeyes are 290-62.
• As the No. 5 ranked team in the country, Ohio State is 37-6.
• When both teams are ranked in the Top 15, Ohio State is 35-30.
• The game vs. Indiana was the 69th sellout in Value City Arena history. The Buckeyes own a 56-13 record in those contests, including a 45-9 mark vs. Big Ten opponents. They are 3-0 this year (Duke, 11/29/11, Northwestern, 12/28/11).
• The Buckeyes have now won by double figures in 14 of their 16 victories this year. 12 of their wins have been by 22 or more points. Ohio State’s 22.2 average margin of victory is No. 3 nationally.
• Four players scored in double figures for Ohio State. So far this season, seven Buckeyes have scored in doubles figures a total of 58 times.
• In their last 72 games, the Buckeyes are 65-7.
• This is the 281st-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).
• The starting lineup of Buford, Craft, Smith, Jr., Sullinger and Thomas is 14-2 this season.
• The Buckeyes had 16 team assists vs. Indiana. They are averaging 17.0 apg.
• Ohio State allowed Indiana a season low 14 points in the first half (26 vs. Notre Dame) and a season low 27.3 % from the field.
• The Buckeyes ended the first half on a 15-2 run to take 36-14 advantage.
• Ohio State had a 20-7 advantage in points off turnovers. Indiana had 17 turnovers to Ohio State’s five.
• The Buckeyes also had a 26-18 points in the paint advantage.
• The win vs. Indiana was Thad Matta’s 206th win at Ohio State and his 102nd Big Ten victory since beginning his Ohio State career.
• Matta’s career record moves to 308-91 overall and 206-60 at Ohio State.
• With the win, Matta moves to 106-43 in the Big Ten during his career.
• Matta moves to 10-6 all-time vs. Indiana.
• Matta’s .776 winning percentage at Ohio State is the best among Big Ten coaches since Matta became the Buckeyes’ head coach in 2004.
• Ohio State is 44-20 in January under Coach Matta.
• The Scarlet and Gray are 125-19 when grabbing more rebounds than the opponent, including 14-2 this season (OSU outrebounded Indiana 33-28).
• When shooting a better percentage than the opponent, Ohio State moves to 183-19 under Matta, including 16-1 this season.
• When shooting 50 percent or better from the field, Ohio State is 8-0 this season and 102-7 under Matta.
• When holding their opponent to under 50 percent shooting, the Buckeyes are 16-1 this season and 193-47 under Matta.
• Ohio State is 191-5 under Matta when leading with five minutes to play, including 16-0 this year.
• The Buckeyes are 173-19 overall and 15-1 this season when leading at the half.
• Ohio State is 14-2 this season and 142-13 when scoring 70 or more points in a game under Matta. The Buckeyes had 80 points in the win vs. Indiana.
• The 17 point loss is the biggest on the season for the Hoosiers (15 vs. Michigan St., 12/28/11).
• The Buckeyes are 13-2 this season and 174-47 under Matta when limiting themselves to 15 or fewer turnovers. Ohio State had five turnovers vs. the Hoosiers.
• The start was Buford’s 117th donning the Scarlet and Gray, tying Jamar Butler for fifth place in career games started at Ohio State.
• Buford is just the fourth Buckeye in recorded history to reach 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 300 assists. Buford’s current totals are 1,713/559/323.
• Buford scored 12 points for the Buckeyes, improving his career total to 1,713, which is eighth all-time in Ohio State career scoring. He is 43 points behind Jay Burson (1,756) for seventh place.
• Buford had four rebounds to push his career total to 559. He is one of 17 former Buckeyes in the prestigious 1,500 point and 500 rebound club.
• Buford has scored in double figures 15 times this season.
• Buford became the fifth player in Ohio State history to join the 400 (made field goals) and 4,000 (minutes played) Club. After the Indiana game, Buford has now tallied 648 made field goals and 4,017 minutes played in 125 career games (J. Diebler, D. Lighty, J. Butler and H. Williams are the other Buckeyes to achieve this feat).
• Buford had four assists in the game for a career total of 323.
• Lenzelle Smith, Jr. scored a career high 28 points (12, at Indiana, 12/31/11). He had 18 in the first half, four more than the entire Indiana team.
• Smith, Jr. scored 12 of Ohio State’s first 25 points, helping the Buckeyes take a 25-12 lead.
• Smith, Jr. made a career high four 3-point field goals (2 (3X) – at Iowa, 1/17/12).
• Smith, Jr. made a career high in made field goals with 10 (4, at Indiana, 12/31/11).
• Jared Sullinger had 16 points for the Buckeyes. It is the 16th time this season and 50th time in his career he has scored in double figures.
• With 16 points, Sullinger is 71 from joining the 1,000 point club.
• Sullinger had nine rebounds, pushing his career total to 535.
• Deshaun Thomas finished with 11 points. It is the 28th time in his career he has scored in double figures.
• Thomas has scored in double figures in 17 of his last 18 games played. The 17 times this season are a team high.
• Craft had three steals. He has 121 for his career. He has had at least one steal in all 18 games this season. He has had at least three steals or more in 10 games this season.
• Craft had seven assists to push his season total to 100 and his career total to 277. He has had at least three in every game this season and seven games with five or more.
Matta Looks for Another 20-Win Season
For each of the last 11 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 (12). Matta set the Ohio State record for consecutive 20-win campaigns in 2008-09 with a 22-11 record and extended it with a 34-3 campaign in 2010-11, the seventh-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 six seasons. That effort eclipsed 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 four (10, 10, 14, 16). Ohio State also is the two-time defending Big Ten regular-season champion. The last time the Buckeyes won three or more consecutive titles was from 1960-64, a string of five-consecutive conference crowns.
400 And 4,000 Club
Senior William Buford has scored 648 career field goals and logged 4,020 career minutes in 125 games. He joined a small group of former Buckeyes with more than 400 field goals and 4,000 minutes played. David Lighty was added to an exclusive club following the game vs. Illinois Jan. 22, 2011. The former Buckeye reached 4,000 minutes played with more than 400 field goals in the Illinois win in Champaign. Lighty made 516 career field goals and logged 4,582 career minutes during his 157-game career. Lighty’s classmate Jon Diebler had 473 made baskets (374 of which are 3s) while playing a total of 4,687 minutes in 144 games. He reached 400/4,000 with a triple and 36 minutes vs. Iowa Jan. 19.
Herb Williams and Jamar Butler also logged 4,000+ minutes at Ohio State. Williams made 834 career field goals over 114 games and 4,216 minutes. Butler connected on 420 FGs (242 3FGs) over 139 games and 4,213 minutes played.
Buford Joins Turner, Jackson, Lighty
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 was the only other Buckeye to do so with 1,785 career points, 552 career rebounds and 372 career assists from 1990-92. David Lighty joined the duo last season. He finished with 1,458 points, 577 rebounds and 374 assists to his credit. Only 22 players in Ohio State history have scored more than 1,000 points and collected 500+ rebounds. Lighty was added to the list with five rebounds vs. Iowa Jan. 19. William Buford currently has 1,713 points, 559 rebounds and 323 assists. He handed out four assists vs. Miami (Ohio) to join the quartet.
Double Digit 3s
Ohio State has made 10 or more 3-pointers in a game 79 times since the shot was instituted for the 1986-87 season. The Buckeyes are 68-11 in those games after knocking down 10-of-20 treys vs. Northwestern Dec. 28. Opponents have made double-digit 3s 92 times and are 37-55 in those games vs. the Buckeyes. Matta’s Ohio State teams are 53-9 when making 10 or more 3s in a game. Opponents are 9-29 against Matta-coached teams when making 10 or more treys.
Buford on Preseason List for 2012 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award
Senior William Buford follows David Lighty (2011) as a candidate for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in 2012. Lighty was among the Top 10 finalists a year ago. Buford is one of 30 senior men’s college basketball student-athletes on the 2012 preseason list. The field will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the 2011-12 regular season. The finalists, recognized for excellence in community, classroom, character and competition, will travel to the 2012 Final Four in New Orleans, where the winner will be announced.
Sullinger Earns All-America Honors
The Associated Press is the latest (Oct. 31) to select Ohio State sophomore Jared Sullinger as a 2011-12 preseason first team All-American. The Columbus, Ohio, native was a 2011 All-American as well after averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds as a rookie. Those numbers helped earn Sullinger the 2011 National Freshman of the Year award following Ohio State’s 34-3 overall record a year ago.
Big Ten Media Pick Buckeyes, Sullinger
Ohio State was picked as the preseason favorite to win the league regular-season title by a vote of the conference media (Oct. 27). Sophomore Jared Sullinger also was tabbed as the favorite to earn conference player-of-the-year accolades. He also was selected to represent Ohio State on the preseason all-conference squad. Ohio State has won back-to-back league titles and is in position to win a third-consecutive title for the first time since the Buckeyes won five-consecutive titles from 1960-64. The last Buckeye to enter the season as the player of the year selection was guard Scoonie Penn before the 1999-2000 campaign.
Jent Returns to Ohio State Sideline
Chris Jent left the professional ranks to return to his alma mater as an assistant basketball coach. Jent, who played and coached at the NBA level, played for the Buckeyes from 1988-92 and coached most recently for the Cleveland Cavaliers. As an Ohio State player, he helped the Buckeyes to back-to-back Big Ten titles and three-consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament. He spent 10 seasons in the professional ranks overseas, in the CBA and NBA. He was an assistant and interim head coach with the Orlando Magic before most recently coaching with the Cavaliers.
2011-12 Schedule Among Best Nationally
Several Ohio State non-conference games have garnered national attention this season there is more to come in the always rugged Big Ten slate of 18 regular-season contests. Ohio State faced Florida (W 81-74, 11/15/11) and Duke (W 85-63, 11/29/11) at Value City Arena with key non-league games at Kansas (L 78-67, 12/10/11) and South Carolina (W 74-66, 12/17/11). With the addition of Nebraska to the conference schedule, league teams will play seven foes twice and four teams once during regular-season play. Ohio State plays host to Penn State and Purdue and will travel to Iowa (W 76-47) and Minnesota. The rest of the league will compete against the Buckeyes both home and away.
Buford Working on Record Season
William Buford is the lone senior on the Ohio State roster this season. In fact, he is just one of two upperclassmen and the only player with more than a year of experience in an Ohio State uniform. After transfer Evan Ravenel, who transferred to Ohio State from Boston College and sat out the 2010-11 campaign, there are 11 freshmen (5) and sophomores (6) on the Ohio State roster. Buford has 1,701 career points over 124 career games (13.7 ppg.). Dennis Hopson (1984-87) is the all-time leading scorer in Ohio State history with 2,096 points over 125 career games played (16.8 ppg.). Buford is currently No. 8 spot on the Ohio State all-time scoring list.
Paulus Leaves Navy to Work for Matta
Greg Paulus, who served as an assistant coach at Navy during the 2010-11 season, joined the Buckeyes last May to handle the program’s video needs. He replaced Kevin Kuwik, who left Thad Matta’s staff to become an assistant coach at Dayton. Paulus played basketball at Duke from 2006-09 and then a year of football at Syracuse.
Titles Mounting for Matta, Buckeyes
Thad Matta’s teams have won four Big Ten regular-season titles and three league tournament crowns during his seven-year tenure at Ohio State. Ohio State has won each of the last two regular-season and tournament titles. The Buckeyes have not posted three-consecutive Big Ten Conference crowns since winning a conference record five-consecutive titles from 1960-64 under the direction of head coach Fred Taylor. Taylor led Ohio State to seven league championships from 1959-76. Harold G. Olson win five Big Ten titles as coach between 1923-46.
Buckeyes Return Plenty
Despite the loss of three senior starters, the Buckeyes return the majority of the offensive production from a year ago. Seven 2010-11 letterwinners return nearly 63 percent of the team’s points (1,783 of 2,854), rebounds (805 of 1,277), assists 370 of 587 and steals (169 of 263) entering this season. Five incoming freshmen along with increased roles of the returning Buckeyes will attempt to make up for the losses of David Lighty (12.1 ppg.), Jon Diebler (12.6 ppg.) and Dallas Lauderdale (4.2 ppg, 54 total blocks). Four of the top six offensive players return in Jared Sullinger (17.2 ppg.), William Buford (14.4 ppg.), Deshaun Thomas (7.5 ppg.) and Aaron Craft (6.9 ppg.). Sullinger added 10.2 rebounds a game while Buford tallied 61 3-pointers while making 84 percent of his foul shots (59-70). Craft led the team in assists (177) and steals (73). Thomas was solid off the bench a year ago and is expected to have an increased role both offensively and defensively this year.
Scott, Williams Add to Ohio State’s 17-Player McDonald’s List
Ohio State incoming freshmen Shannon Scott and Amir Williams were selected Feb. 10, 2011 to represent the East (Scott) and West (Williams) teams in the 2011 McDonald’s All-America game. The game was played March 30 at the United Center in Chicago. Scott led both teams with five steals. The East won the game 111-96. Scott also had four points, two rebounds and two assists over 12 minutes. Williams had six points, three rebounds and a steal in 11 minutes for the West squad. The Buckeyes will have five All-America game participants on their roster in 2011-12 in Jared Sullinger (2010), Deshaun Thomas (2010), William Buford (2008), Scott and Williams. Four McDonald’s All-Americans were a part of Ohio State’s 2006-07 squad that finished 35-4 overall, 15-1 in Big Ten Conference play, won the league regular-season title outright and played for the NCAA national title vs. Florida in April of 2007. Ivan Harris (2003), Greg Oden (2006), Mike Conley Jr. (2006) and Daequan Cook (2006), all former McDonald’s All-Americans, played for the Buckeyes in 2006-07. Previously, B.J. Mullens (2008), Kosta Koufos (2007), Clark Kellogg (1979), Perry Carter (1987), Treg Lee (1987), Jim Jackson (1989), Charles Macon (1992) and Greg Simpson (1992) all played for Ohio State after playing in the McDonald’s All-America game before joining the Ohio State program, a total of 17 all-time.
Five Mr. Basketball Honorees on Ohio State Roster
Ohio State’s contains four players who have combined to win five Mr. Basketball awards in their respective home states. Jared Sullinger leads the team with two Mr. Ohio Basketball accolades, achieving the distinction both in 2009 and 2010, while playing at Northland High School. Deshaun Thomas, a native Fort Wayne, Ind., and Bishop Luers High School, captured Mr. Indiana Basketball in 2010. Senior William Buford claimed 2008 Mr. Ohio Basketball with his performance at now-closed Libbey High School in Toledo. Freshman Shannon Scott brings the recognition of being named 2011 Mr. Georgia Basketball to Columbus after starring at Milton High School in Alpharetta, Ga. Freshman Amir Williams finished third in the 2011 Mr. Michigan Basketball voting.
