Thursday, October 14, 1999
OSU tries to build on success
Penn, Redd keys to Final Four return
BY MIKE DeCOURCY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The difference in Ohio State basketball from last year to now is fairly simple. Back then, the Buckeyes were wondering what they were capable of doing. Now, they wonder if they can do it again.
Their Final Four appearance and the emergence of guards Michael Redd and Scoonie Penn as All-Americans pushed the Buckeyes far beyond where they expected to be in their second season under coach Jim O'Brien.
Now that the Buckeyes know they can play with the elite, they should get off to a stronger start and won't have to battle their way up the rankings. They'll have to hold their position.
These are some of the questions facing OSU:
Who's better: Penn or Redd?
It doesn't matter as long as both play for the Buckeyes. Redd is a tremendous one-on-one scorer who still needs to improve his three-point shooting. As one of the nation's top two point guards, Penn probably would be more difficult to replace, although OSU has backup options.
So Penn is the key to this team?
Well, yes and no. He has to be what he's always been, which is one of the most powerful winning forces in college basketball this decade. He turned both Boston College and Ohio State from sub-.300 teams into NCAA Tournament entrants.
Center Ken Johnson may need to be more like he was in OSU's regional final win against St.John's — 12 points, seven blocks. It was only his fourth double-figure scoring game, but he showed an ability to make interior shots.
Is this the same Ohio State team?
No. The importance of forward Jason Singleton to last year's Final Four run is being overlooked. A senior last year, Singleton averaged 9.2 points and 5.0 rebounds in the NCAAs, up from his regular-season production. The Buckeyes were much quicker with him at power forward and a third guard, Brian Brown, in the lineup.
Senior George Reese is capable enough, and O'Brien is a gifted enough coach the transition should be smooth. Reese will make the Bucks a better rebounding team.
Are there recruits who will help?
Freshman Brent Darby provides some depth at point guard. Slobodan Ocokoljic, a 6-8 forward who played his senior season at Massillon's Washington High, gives OSU another big body. The most important newcomer probably will be 6-4 wing Doylan Robinson, who was not eligible to play as a freshman but makes an already deep, athletic backcourt that much deeper and more athletic.
How much pressure is on OSU?
One good thing for the Buckeyes is that Michigan State is favored to win the Big Ten and also is likely to open the year as the nation's No.1 team. That means the pressure is squarely on the Spartans.
Although its fans may expect a lot because of last year's success, OSU still doesn't face the full assault of expectation that some others will encounter. This is a capable team that could end up back in the Final Four or close.
Ohio State basketball roster
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