Sunday, February 27, 2000
Penn's last home game a big showdown
Senior leads OSU vs. Illinois
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS — He may be the smallest All-American ever to put on an Ohio State uniform, but the contributions Scoonie Penn has made in two short years has clearly made him the biggest man on campus.
The 5-foot-10 senior point guard plays his final game at Value City Arena on Sunday when the sixth-ranked Buckeyes take on Illinois in a critical Big Ten showdown.
As emotional as he is on the court, Penn isn't likely to get caught up in what probably will be a long and loving goodbye from more than 19,000 Ohio State fans.
“I feel I've been in college long enough,” he said, sounding tired and a lot older than 23. “There have been a lot of games.”
A win will keep Ohio State (19-5, 10-3) tied for the top spot in the conference with Michigan State and Purdue heading into the last week of the regular season.
Illinois (18-7, 10-4) has won seven straight.
Just two years ago, it was unfathomable that Ohio State could be involved in such an important game. Penn is the biggest reason why such games are common for the Buckeyes.
The pregame ceremonies will also honor classmates George Reese and Ken Johnson. Both are large reasons why Ohio State went to the Final Four last year and is among the country's elite teams this season.
Make no mistake, however, that the biggest ovation will go to Penn. And, without question, Penn's departure will provide the saddest farewell.
“I'm going to miss him like crazy,” Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien said.
Keep in mind that in 18 years as a head coach, O'Brien has greeted and eventually said goodbye to hundreds of players. But Penn and O'Brien have a history that goes well beyond their last two years with the Buckeyes.
O'Brien left Boston College in a huff three years ago after an ugly and open war with the school's admissions office over the academic standards for incoming recruits.
Penn was O'Brien's biggest star at BC, which is a 15-minute drive from Penn's home in Salem, Mass. Penn led the Eagles to the NCAA tournament both of his years. He also won the MVP award in the Big East tournament his sophomore season.
Yet Penn left all of that in his rearview mirror to transfer to a place he'd never even visited.
Penn scored the last 10 points for the Buckeyes in a 69-67 victory at Indiana a year ago. Five weeks ago, Penn hit two free throws with 23 seconds remaining to provide the tying and winning points. He then blocked a 3-point attempt at the buzzer in Ohio State's 65-64 win over St. John's.
“He's a lively guy, a fun guy,” guard Michael Redd said, smiling. “He's got a lot of energy.”
Penn said he won't get choked up.
“I'm not like that,” he said. “I'll take a moment to just enjoy it. But I'm anxious to move on.”
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