The lowdown
2000-01 record: 20-11; 11-5 in Big Ten (3rd)
Final Ranking: No 3 ESPN/USA Today; No. 3 AP
Postseason: Lost to Utah State 77-68 in first round of NCAA Tournament.
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. Will the Buckeyes' foreigners be affected by the NCAA's crackdown on foreign athletes' eligibility? The NCAA is checking on every foreign athlete to see if they played with pros overseas. If any do get a suspension or a penalty, then how will the player and the team handle the absence?
2. Brent Darby and Brian Brown were two unheralded stars for the Buckeyes last season, but the spotlight will be on them this season. How will they handle that? Can they give up some shots to Brandon Fuss-Cheatham? How does Sean Connolly fit into the rotation?
3. Ken Johnson's presence in the post is gone, do the Buckeyes have another intimidating defender? Can they count on someone in the back line to cause problems?
Three Key Facts
1. The Buckeyes had no trouble shooting the ball last season, leading the Big Ten in 3-point shooting. Holding onto the ball was another story, no more so than in Ohio State's opening-round loss to Utah State in the NCAA Tournament where it turned the ball over 21 times.
2. Sean Connolly should help continue the Buckeyes' sharp shooting. He missed just one free throw (27-28, .964) during Big Ten Conference play last season. Connolly also led the Buckeyes in 3-point shooting (45-108, .417) while connecting on 84 percent of his foul shots (42-50).
3. Incoming freshman Matt Sylvester, a 6-foot-8 power forward, lives in the same neighborhood as Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins.
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: Ohio State wins 20 games again, competes in the top five in the Big Ten and earns a decent seed in the tournament.
Worst case: The NCAA goes after Savovic, Johnson can't be replaced and the Buckeyes miss the tournament by a game or two.
|
Key Players Returning
|
|
Player
|
Yr.
|
Pos.
|
Ht./Wt.
|
Comment
|
|
Brian Brown
|
Sr.
|
G
|
6-4/200
|
PTS: 14.5 | REB: 4.4 | AST: 4.1
|
|
Sean Connolly
|
Jr.
|
G
|
6-5/210
|
PTS: 7.6 | REB: 3.0 | AST: 2.0
|
|
Brent Darby
|
Jr.
|
G
|
6-1/195
|
PTS: 9.6 | REB: 2.5 | AST: 2.3
|
|
Boban Savovic
|
Sr.
|
G
|
6-5/240
|
PTS: 8.9 | REB: 3.8 | AST: 3.5
|
|
Key Losses
|
|
Player
|
Pos.
|
Ht./Wt.
|
Comment
|
|
Ken Johnson
|
C
|
6-11/235
|
PTS: 12.5 | REB: 7.3 | AST: 0.8
|
|
Ohio State Signings
|
|
Player
|
Pos.
|
Ht.
|
High School/College
|
|
Terence Dials
|
F
|
6-9
|
Youngstown, Ohio/Boardman H.S.
|
|
Brandon Fuss-Cheatham
|
G
|
6-1
|
Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk H.S.
|
|
Matt Sylvester
|
F
|
6-7
|
Loveland, Ohio/Moeller H.S.
|
|
Clark Williams
|
F
|
6-6
|
Liburn, Ga./Berkmar H.S.
|
|
|
|
