Friday, March 05, 1999
Buckeyes planting seeds for selection committee
Tourney title may mean a No. 2
BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer
CHICAGO — Last year it was one-and-done in the Big Ten tournament for an Ohio State squad that finished 1-16 against conference opponents. This year, anything less than a trip to the title game would be a letdown, and a league championship could mean as high as a No.2 in the NCAA Tourna ment.
Such is the force of a lightning turnaround that has taken the Buckeyes from the Big Ten's dregs to the league's No.2 seed in the 1999 tournament, which begins for Ohio State (22-7) today in a 7:30p.m. matchup against No.10 seed Michigan at the United Center.
“We still have to win a few games if we're going to get a good seed,” Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien said. “All we're talking about right now is the opportunity to win this tournament.”
Michigan, a 79-73 overtime winner over No.7 seed Purdue in the first round Thursday, also has seen its fortunes turn rapidly since last year's tournament — but in the other direction. The Wolverines (12-18) romped to last year's tourney title behind future NBA pick Robert Traylor, but stumbled to a 5-11 mark this year in the Big Ten.
But Thursday's win, in which the Wolverines withstood a 20-2 Purdue run in the first half, came on the heels of an upset at No.4 seed Wisconsin last weekend, and Michigan was one of only four Big Ten teams to beat the Buckeyes in the regular season (84-74 at Ann Arbor). Ohio State won the second meeting, but only by five (74-69).
“We outplayed them for about 37 minutes at their place,” said Michigan guard Robbie Reid. “We're definitely excited about (today), but at the same time we have a lot of respect for the way they play. They're an athletic team.”
In a league ull of impressive guards, this game will match two of the best in Ohio State junior Scoonie Penn (17.2 points, 4.1 assists) and Michigan senior Louis Bullock (26 points vs. Purdue).
Michigan's big frontcourt, led by 6-foot-11 sophomore Josh Asselin and 6-11 junior Peter Vignier could cause Ohio State problems, but the Wolverines have no obvious answer for Buckeyes swingman Michael Redd (19.1 points per game).
“Scoonie Penn's as good a guard as you get at this level, and Michael Redd's as good a wing player,” said Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe. “We've got to control the tempo. We can't get into a game in the 70s and 80s.”
Penn, who bruised his rear end in Saturday's loss at Penn State, is expected to play today.
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