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#1 Ohio State 89, #6 North Carolina 98 (Final)

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AT NORTH CAROLINA TODAY

Buckeyes used to No. 1

Basketball moves up in rank to match football

KEN TYSIAC

[email protected]

Ohio State basketball coach Thad Matta would change positions with his Buckeyes football counterpart, Jim Tressel, in a heartbeat.
In football, Ohio State has been No. 1 all season and is guaranteed a position in the BCS championship game. Ohio State's basketball team moved to the top of USA Today's coaches' poll Monday.
"I like (Tressel's) positioning a lot better, because the season's almost over and he's only got one game to play," Matta said.
The Buckeyes (6-0), ranked No. 3 by The Associated Press, play in the marquee game of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge at 9 p.m. today at seventh-ranked North Carolina (4-1). Clemson sports information director Tim Bourret said that before this week, just two schools had been ranked No. 1 in football and men's basketball at the same time: UCLA in November, 1967, and Notre Dame in January, 1974.
"I do think that for Ohio State and the state of Ohio and city of Columbus, it's exciting times right now," Matta said. "I still say we don't have Greg Oden, and our team can continue to get better."
Oden, a 7-foot freshman, is recovering from wrist surgery. He isn't expected to play until January, when Ohio State's Big Ten season begins.
His absence squelches what would have been a colossal meeting of post players with North Carolina sophomore Tyler Hansbrough and freshman Brandan Wright.
But Ohio State still has freshman guards Daequan Cook (17.8 ppg) and Mike Conley (6.3 apg, 19 steals) leading the team from a recruiting class ranked second in the nation -- to North Carolina's.
 
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Dispatch

OHIO STATE MEN?S BASKETBALL
Carolina is a blueprint for success
Matta wants to build program at OSU in Tar Heels? image
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Bob Baptist
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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Thad?s Pad? It seems unlikely now that Ohio State basketball fans someday would refer to the Buckeyes? home court by that name. Then again, could Dean Smith have imagined in 1961, when he took charge of the North Carolina program, that the Tar Heels would someday play in an arena not only named for him, the Dean E. Smith Center, but nicknamed for him: the "Dean Dome."
When Thad Matta took charge of the Ohio State program two years ago, after brief stays at Xavier and his alma mater, Butler, he looked around for a blueprint for success at a large state university, where he had never worked.
One he focused on was North Carolina, where in 36 years Smith won a record 879 games and two national championships, took the Tar Heels to 11 Final Fours and created an enduring tradition.
In 70 games, Matta has taken the Buckeyes from the NCAA doghouse to one poll?s penthouse ? the No. 1 ranking in the USA Today-ESPN coaches poll this week. Tonight he takes them to his system?s roots, to the Dean Dome, to face the Tar Heels in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.
Ohio State (6-0) is ranked No. 3 and North Carolina (4-1) is No. 7 in the Associated Press poll. The Tar Heels are loaded with two years? worth of blue-chip recruits harvested by coach Roy Williams, a Smith disciple. The Buckeyes, though without injured freshman Greg Oden, have their own talented rookie class. Both teams have been touted as Final Four-caliber.
"I?ve had this game marked on my schedule since last year when I found out we were playing them," Ohio State junior guard Jamar Butler said. "It?s going to be fun, the chance to play in the Dean Dome. A lot of players, it?s their dream to play there. I can?t wait."
In two years, Matta has taken a program from NCAA probation and tournament ineligibility to 52 wins, an undisputed Big Ten championship and national prominence.
When Matta studied North Carolina and other state universities with a tradition of success, he found a common denominator: "Their talent (level) is always high," he said.
"They started early on dominating (recruiting in) the state of North Carolina," Matta said. "They also had a connection in New York where they were pulling good players out of there.
"They built a system of how they wanted to play, and quite honestly it seems like each year (still), they?re doing the same stuff. It?s kind of like (former Green Bay Packers coach) Vince Lombardi (with the) sweep right. ?Here it comes, stop it.? That?s what they sort of do. Defensively, they?re going to try to take you out of what you?re trying to do.
"As you look at what they?ve built over the decades, they?ve recruited to their system, they?ve got guys who fit their system, and, quite honestly, they?ve done it the right way."
Smith retired in 1997, and the program slipped from its perennial perch in the top 10. Williams, who played for and coached under Smith before taking the Carolina blueprint to Kansas, heeded the call home in 2003. Two years later, he produced the Tar Heels? fifth national title.
North Carolina under Williams differs little from what it was under Smith, Matta said.
"They run the same break, the same options, basically the same set plays," he said. "Defensively, they?re (doing) the same things they?ve been doing for a long time. It?s very, very similar."
[email protected]
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OZone

Men's Basketball
Buckeyes Head To Chapel Hill for Showdown with Tar Heels
By John Porentas
The No. 1/3 Buckeyes (6-0) travel to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to take on the No. 6/7 Tar Heels (4-1) in the Big Ten vs. ACC challenge Wednesday night at 9:00 PM.
OSU's ranking this season is largely the result of the strength of it's incoming freshman class. When they take the floor against the Tar Heels however, that class will be looking at a freshman class in North Carolina Blue that mirrors OSU's top-flight newcomers.
Most analysts ranked the OSU and North Carolina classes one-two after signing day. The advantage that the Tar Heels will have on Wednesday is that their entire class will be available for the game while OSU's marquee newcomer, center Greg Oden, will be sidelined while recovering from surgery to repair ligament damage in his right wrist. Additionally, the Tar Heel's class is the second-consecutive highly ranked class landed by Head Coach Roy Williams, and that means that the North Carolina will be not only talented, but deep.

The Tar Heels will add their new talent to a sophomore class which was just as spectacular and is headlined by 6-9 center Tyler Hansbrough The combination of Hansbrough and Wright is simply overpowering in the paint. In their last outing, the Tar Heels dominated Tennessee in the paint and scored 40 of their 56 first half points down low. The Heels cruised to a 101-87 win in that game. The Tar Heels love to get the ball inside to Hansbrough and Wright, and without Oden, that could be trouble for the Buckeyes.
"We needed to go inside; we needed to get the ball inside where our big guys do have such an advantage," Roy Williams said. "If we keep going inside, hopefully we'll shoot more free throws than the other team."
Through five games, the Tar Heels have done just that, attempting 149 free throws to just 65 for the opposition. The Heels have made 98 of those free throw for a 68.5 per cent conversion rate. Just in case you are mathematically challenged, that means the Tar Heels have made 33 more free throws than the opposition has attempted. The inside presence has also given the Tar Heels a decided rebounding advantage in their first five games. The Heels are outrebounding the opposition 124-79 on the season.
For the season, Hansbrough leads the Tar Heels in scoring with 20.6 points per game. Wright is second on the squad at 16.6. Hansbrough also averages a team-high 8.8 rebounds per game, Wright is second on the team at 7.4
When the Tar Heels are not pounding the ball down low to Wright and Hansbrough they love to get out and run. The style of play is particularly suited to their long bench. North Carolina plays as many as 12 players routinely, and has nine players who average double-digit minutes per game.
"Their depth, their size, their speed, quickness defensively," said OSU Head Coach Thad Matta describing the problems the Tar Heels will pose for the Buckeyes.
"I think they're going to try and use all those things. Right now they're playing 12 guys and they just sort of keep coming at you in waves.
"I think where a team like North Carolina can get you is where we go eight deep, they go 12 deep and just the pace they try to play at. They get the ball out quick and they get it up the floor and they're trying to hammer it down low to Hansbrough and Wright, those are the kind of things that stick out. You have to take care of the ball. They love nothing more than turning you over and scoring off transition off turnovers," Matta said.
Though the Buckeyes will go just eight deep, they are looking forward to an up-and-down game with the Tar Heels.
"They like to run, we like to run," said OSU guard Jamar Butler.
"We play the same game, so it should be a fun game to watch and hopefully we come out on top."
Keys to Victory: If the Buckeyes are to win, they will have to figure out some way to slow Hansbrough and Wright down low where they figure to have a major advantage over Hunter and Matt Terwilliger. Both Terwilliger and Hunter will have to stay out of foul trouble and at least slow down the Tar Heel tandem. OSU will probably have to double down on the post with a second defender which should give North Carolina's perimeter players some opportunities from the three point line.
"Our defense tomorrow is going to be really packed in," said Butler.
"They have good shooters too. It's going to be tough on the perimeter players to help down that much on Hansbrough and go back out to the guards and defend them, so we have a challenge," Butler said.
The Tar Heels are capable from outside, but thus far this season have not exactly lit it up from long range. They are making a pretty ordinary 33.7 per cent of their three pointers, and if the Buckeyes are going to have a chance, they will have to hope the Tar Heels don't heat up from long range.
"They've got guys who aren't shooting a real high percentage today but did last year," said Matta.
"Even in high school guys were known as shooters, so we know that it's a matter of time. Hopefully not tomorrow night and we can at least challenge them a little bit. They've got capable shooters," Matta said.
Offensively, the Buckeyes will have to make some shots from the perimeter. They will also have to generate offense from their defense. Lawson, North Carolina's point guard, has been a bit turnover prone and has 15 turnovers against just 16 assists this season. If Conley can pressure him he could not only force turnovers, but could also limit the number of entry passes down low.
Without Oden, and on North Carolina's home floor, the Buckeyes figure to be at a decided disadvantage. Despite that fact, the Buckeyes are looking forward to the game.
"I had this game marked on my schedule last year when I found out we were going to play them. I just couldn't wait to get to this point, and now it's here," said Butler.
"Just a chance to play in the Dean Dome. It's going to be fun. A lot of players, it's their dream to play down there. It's a great environment for basketball and I can't wait to play.
"You try to prepare for it like it's any other game, but in the back of the player's minds it's special for us. Just to play against North Carolina on their home floor is a great opportunity," Butler said.
Matta also seems excited about the game despite the uphill climb for his young team.
"When we walk out of there tomorrow night we're going to be able to say number one, that environment we just left, it's not going to be any different than any Big Ten game that we play in," said Matta.
"I think the competition level, we're going to be able to say the same things. Who they (North Carolina) have and how many they have I think is a great test for us. I think that you can go back to a game like this and probably draw a lot of references throughout the course of the year, both good and bad," Matta said.
"As a coach I'm still at the stage with this team of looking forward to seeing how we handle adversity, how we handle situations, how we handle the other team going on a run and 22,000 people going crazy and do we have the poise and the composure to withstand it. Those will be the things that I'll be looking for. As a coach you see the journey and where we're going as opposed to where we are right now. I think that's what's unique about this opportunity.
"I could sit up here and talk about the concerns North Carolina poses forever, but I like our guys, I like their mindset. They know they have a great challenge in front of them. They know that this is a rare opportunity to go in in November and play a team as talented as North Carolina."
Oden Update: Greg Oden will not play against North Carolina, but according to Matta, he is progressing, and is anxious to get into action.
"We're still playing without Greg Oden, which is going to be a tremendous boost to our ball club when he gets back," said Matta.
Matta described what Oden is currently doing during OSU practice sessions.
"Run, jump, use his left hand, weight training," said Matta.
"I think his body looks great. I think his conditioning is pretty good. I was laughing at him yesterday, he doesn't understand how the air is going to disappear in the gym when he starts playing, just getting up and down.
"His right hand is getting more movement. They've got a different device on his hand right now. It allows him a little more flexion. The biggest thing right now is just not getting him bumped or undercut with the bone not being 100 per cent stable," Matta said.
Matta said that Oden is not happy about having to sit out games at this point of the season.
"He's down. When I say down, I don't mean down, I mean he's anxious, he's tired of watching his teammates play and not being able to contribute," said Matta.
"I think he's tired of running wind sprints up and down the court with nobody else on the court. I think he's tired of sitting in meetings and going through preparation knowing he can't play, so he's getting eager, but he knows, he's a very intelligent kid and he understands, but it doesn't justify it in his mind," Matta said.
Despite Oden's disappointment, Matta will not rush his return.
"The word was six months which is December 16," said Matta.
"He wanted to play November 10, that was his thing, so he's patient but he's young, he's 18-years old and everyday I tell Greg "Big Picture, keep seeing the big picture,'" said Matta.
"They X-rayed it last week. It's doing better, but it's still not exactly where they want it."
"I'm proud of the way our guys have adapted. I think it's making us better in the long run of having to go through games like this and Greg not playing."
"I know he is," added Butler agreeing that Oden is getting antsy.
"I know he wants to get out there and play. He's doing more and more each day in practice. If it was up to him I know he's be playing tomorrow but it's just up to the doctors."
 
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Should be a great one. That place is tough on visitors. If you have followed college basketball, it takes your breath away when you first walk in there. Carolina Blue everywhere, NC banners and UNC logos hanging all over. It has to be intimidating to visiting players. The fans are though too. That being said, I think we play tough and make a good showing. We have the ability to win, and I hope we do. :biggrin:
 
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TheLantern

Diaper Dandies hope to handle Heels; Oden update



David Briggs

Issue date: 11/29/06 Section: Sports

It's either one of history's great accomplishments or evidence of college basketball's jumbled national scene.

As Ohio State visits No. 7 North Carolina (4-1) tonight for one of the school's biggest non-conference games ever, they are atop the USA Today Coaches poll for the first time since 1962.

It's a little of both, of course.

"Knowing full well the parity that's out there, somebody has to be ranked No. 1," said coach Thad Matta.

But, come on, it's pretty impressive. Despite playing with four new starters and without injured center Greg Oden, the Buckeyes find themselves at 6-0, winning by an average margin of 26.1 points per game and riding high on top of the college heap. Who would have thought?

"It's exciting," said guard Ron Lewis of the ranking. "I've never been No. 1"

It was a final validation of Matta's brilliant transformation of OSU's program from moribund and directionless to the point where basketball is on equal footing with the football team - at least in the rankings. OSU is just the third school ever to simultaneously have the top-ranked team in both football and men's basketball. Notre Dame in 1973 and UCLA in 1967 were the others who once claimed this feat.

"These are exciting times," Matta said.

Indeed. The players admit the team's enthusiasm has been on overdrive this week since hearing they will head to Chapel Hill with a No. 1 team.

"Yeah, we took that excitement into practice," Lewis said.

For junior guard Jamar Butler, it's a welcome change from a year ago.

"The mindset from this year to last year is very different," Butler said. "This year we have the mindset that we can beat anybody."

That includes the Tar Heels tonight, which could offer instant legitimacy of their ranking. But in this duel between the nation's top two recruiting classes - look for Dick Vitale to spontaneously combust late in the first half after his 148th "diaper dandy" reference - a win can hardly be expected.

UNC is led by 6 foot-nine-inch center and consensus pre-season college player of the year Tyler Hansbrough, 6 foot-nine-inch freshman forward Brandan Wright, who has scored in double figures in each of his first five games and Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington, the nation's top recruits at point guard and shooting guard.

Whereas the Buckeyes go only eight deep on the bench, a run-and-gun UNC team rotates 12 players. Then there is issue of OSU's lack of size, which will likely force Buckeyes to make the rare shift into a zone defense.

"I could sit up here and talk about the concerns that North Carolina poses forever," Matta said.

All this in perhaps the most raucous environment OSU will encounter this year. Matta thinks his freshmen should be ready, or "as prepared as they can possibly be." And he points to the AAU team Oden, Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook played for always playing before packed houses where "the target was on them."

That's nothing, Butler said.

"They've been through some challenges, but they've never played North Carolina on their home floor," Butler said. "They've never been through anything like that."

The coach wouldn't have it any other way. He's eager to see how his players will respond to their first trial on a national stage, to their first of 14 nationally televised regular season games this season.

"I kind of look forward to adversity," Matta said. "How will we handle a team going on a run and 22,000 people going crazy? Do we have the poise and composure to withstand it?"

The players are simply thrilled to visit Tobacco Road.

"Just a chance to play in the Dean Dome. A lot of players, this is their dream," Butler said. "I've had this game marked on my schedule since last year."

Added Conley, "With the tradition there, it's exciting."

It's a tradition OSU hopes to begin molding. So a No. 1 ranking is nice, but they know it matters little now.

"Our players have a great understanding that it's November 28," Matta said. "We're trying to get to march in this position."

Oden update

Matta headed into trainer Vince O'Brien's office this week looking for a good word on Oden.

"I'm ready for my surprise," Matta said.

"I don't have one," O'Brien said.

Alas, Oden is still recovering from wrist surgery and the timetable for his return remains unclear.

An X-ray taken on Oden's right wrist last week revealed that his fractured bone continues to heal well, but still not where it needs to be.

"The biggest thing right now is just not getting him bumped or undercut with the bone still not being stable," Matta said.

January 1 appears to be the pessimistic date for his return, but look for him to return midway through next month and in time for the Dec. 23 visit to Florida.

"He's doing more and more each day," Butler said. "If it was up to him, he'd be playing tomorrow."

Until he gets the go-ahead, though, he continues to run, lift and play with his left hand and take the occasional shot with his right. And Matta will continue to pester O'Brien for that present.

"What the heck," Matta said. "I might as well ask for it."

Quotable

"I got one, I don't know if he's got one," Matta said, laughing, when asked yesterday if he and coach Jim Tressel walk around campus together wearing "We're No. 1" T-shirts.
Click to expand...
 
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Yahoo.com


Quote:
(3) Ohio St. (6-0) vs. (7) North Carolina (4-1)
Preview - Box Score - Recap


Game Info: 9:00 pm EST Wed Nov 29, 2006


Ohio State coach Thad Matta has kept his wits about him as his heralded freshman class has started strong despite missing its centerpiece. Roy Williams, though, is at his wit's end hoping for consistency from his highly regarded first-year class at North Carolina.
In perhaps the most anticipated game of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, the seventh-ranked Tar Heels host the third-ranked Buckeyes at the Smith Center with a wealth of first-year talent on display from both teams.
Ohio State (6-0) was picked as a NCAA title contender after Matta successfully recruited the "Thad 5" of Daequan Cook, Mike Conley, David Lighty, Mark Titus and Greg Oden, and junior college transfer Othello Hunter. But Oden -- who almost certainly would have been the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft last summer had the league not instituted a moratorium on high school players entering the draft -- has yet to play a minute this season as he rehabilitates from offseason surgery on his right wrist. Despite the absence of the 7-footer, Matta has seen the other five newcomers make successful transitions to college basketball, combining to average 44.3 points, 20.8 rebounds and 9.7 assists.
Going into the season, there were so many unknowns. We were apprehensive and quite honestly we still are a little bit," Matta noted. "The guys have done a nice job of adapting to how we want to play offensively and defensively. I give our veterans credit for the job they have done and the new guys for keeping their eyes and ears open and trying to learn."

Cook leads Ohio State in scoring with 17.8 points per game despite coming off the bench. He is shooting 58.1 percent from the field and 48 percent from 3-point range. Conley has averaged 9.5 points and 6.3 assists, but also has an assist-to-turnover ratio of nearly 3-to-1 and has a team-best 19 steals.
"I have been pleased with their progress," Matta said of Cook and Conley. "As a coach, it is enjoyable to watch guys get better over time. Cook has made the effort to learn the defense and Michael is growing into the point guard position at the college level."
Lighty is averaging 8.3 points and 3.2 rebounds. Titus, meanwhile, is the only freshman not seeing significant playing time.
Hunter is averaging 7.7 points and a team-high 7.2 rebounds despite playing just 22 minutes per game.
The arrival of Wayne Ellington, William Graves, Ty Lawson, Alex Stepheson, Deon Thompson and Brandan Wright at Chapel Hill was met with equally high expectations for Williams and the Tar Heels (4-1). Wright has been the best of the bunch so far, averaging 16.6 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 61.8 percent, with Ellington (12.2 points per game) and Lawson (10.6 ppg) also averaging in double figures as the three follow the lead of sophomore forward Tyler Hansbrough, who is averaging team highs of 20.6 points and 8.8 rebounds.
Williams has been exasperated at times, though, with his team's inconsistent play. After a surprising loss to Gonzaga in the semifinals of the NIT Season Tip-Off, the veteran coach was still miffed at his team's sloppy play following Friday's 101-87 win over then-No. 22 Tennessee in the consolation game.
"I told them to go home and for Christmas ask for some brains," Williams said. "One of the parents heard me say that and said, `Good. That doesn't cost very much."'
The Tar Heels shot 57.4 percent from the field, but also committed a season-high 26 turnovers and 23 personal fouls and allowed the Volunteers to make 15 3-pointers.
"It's still really early and I've got a really young team, "Williams said. "Two freshmen, two sophomores and one senior start. It's a work in progress and I've got a lot of talent to work with."
Hansbrough bounced back from a poor outing in Friday's consolation contest, finishing with 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists. He was held to nine points in the loss to Gonzaga, just the second time in 36 collegiate games he failed to reach double digits.
North Carolina is just 2-5 all-time in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge and lost 68-64 last season to Illinois in a rematch of the 2005 NCAA tournament title game won by the Tar Heels. The Tar Heels have won seven of nine all-time games against the Buckeyes. This is the first game between the schools since an 81-68 North Carolina win Dec. 18, 1993.
 
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Official Site


Quote:
No. 1/3 Buckeyes Travel To Chapel Hill For Big Ten/ACC Challenge


No. 1/3 Ohio State (6-0) at No. 6/7 North Carolina (4-1)


Nov. 27, 2006
Date: Nov. 29, 2006
Opponent: No. 6/7 North Carolina (4-1)
Site: Dean E. Smith Center (21,800)
Game Time: 9 p.m. ET
Television: ESPN
Local TV: None
TV Talent: Dan Shulman (P by P), Dick Vitale (Expert Analysis), Doris Burke (Sideline)
Radio: OSU Radio Network (59 stations)
Local Radio: WBNS FM-97.1 AM-1460
Radio Talent: Paul Keels (P-by-P), Ron Stokes (Expert Analysis)
OHIO STATE 3RD SCHOOL TO BE NO. 1 IN FOOTBALL, MEN'S BASKETBALL
Two schools, UCLA and Notre Dame, have been ranked No. 1 in both football and men's basketball at the same time, according to research performed by Tim Bourret, Clemson sports information director, who sought the information for a book project. Ohio State (6-0) moved to the No. 1 spot in men's basketball Monday in the USA Today/ESPN coaches poll and to the No. 3 spot in the Associated Press writers poll. The Buckeye football team (12-0) is No. 1 in both polls, as it has been the entire 2006 season. UCLA was No. 1 in both sports the week of Nov. 13-19 in 1967. The Bruins were No. 1 in the AP and UPI football polls that week and had won the national championship in men's basketball the previous March. The first poll of the college basketball season that fall was on Dec. 5, 1967. UCLA was No. 1. The Bruins then lost to USC in football, 21-20, in the next Saturday (Dec. 9, 1967) to drop from No. 1 spot in football. Notre Dame won the national championship (football) in the AP poll with a 24-23 win over Alabama in the Dec. 31, 1973 Sugar Bowl. The Fighting Irish basketball team then defeated UCLA 71-70 in basketball to end the Bruins' 88-game winning streak and move to No. 1 in both basketball polls. That game was played Jan. 19, 1974 and Notre Dame was ranked No. 1 the next Monday. The Irish stayed No. 1 in basketball for just that week before traveling to UCLA for a rematch the following Saturday (Jan. 26, 1974, where they lost to the Bruins. Both UCLA (Nov. 13, 1967) and Notre Dame (Jan. 21, 1974) were No. 1 for just one week in both football and men's basketball.
BUCKEYES IN THE CHALLENGE
Ohio State will be participating in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge for the fifth-consecutive year. Ohio State first participated in the event during the 2002-03 season against Duke in Greensboro, N.C., a 91-75 Blue Devils' victory. Georgia Tech traveled to Ohio State in 2004 and won 73-53. The Buckeyes traveled to Clemson in 2004-05 and fell to the Tigers, 80-73. Ohio State defeated Virginia Tech in Columbus a year ago, 69-59, for its first victory in the event.

BUCKEYES VS. THE RANKED
The last time Ohio State was ranked No. 1 in either the coaches or media men's basketball poll was against Cincinnati (3/24/62) in a loss to the No. 2-ranked Bearcats (71-59) in national title game in Louisville, Ky. Ohio State is 49-3 all-time as the No. 1 team (AP). Ohio State's last four games as the No. 1 team have been played on neutral courts. The Buckeye's last true road game as the No. 1 team was a loss at Wisconsin (3/3/62), 86-67. North Carolina enters the game ranked No. 6/7. Ohio State is 45-36 all-time when playing in a game in which both teams are ranked. The Buckeyes are 201-51 when playing with an AP Top 10 ranking. Ohio State is 300-91 when playing with an AP Top 25 ranking.
MATTA REACHES 50 WINS AT OSU
Thad Matta coached game No. 200 in his seven-year head coaching career in the contest vs. Kent State Nov. 12. He recorded win No. 50 as a Buckeye vs. Eastern Kentucky the next time out Nov. 17. Matta is 154-49 (.758) overall, which includes a record of 52-18 (.743) at Ohio State. He needed just 68 games to win 50 as a Buckeye, the third fewest total games to record win No. 50 as a Buckeye head coach. Fred Taylor (1959-76) won his 50th game in his 64th contest as a Buckeye while Randy Ayers (1990-97) was the second-fasted to 50 wins, doing so in 67 Ohio State games.
CoachDategms to 5050th win, ScoreTaylor1/28/6164Purdue, 92-62Ayers12/18/9167@Santa Barbara, 82-75Matta11/17/0668Eastern Ky., 74-45Miller12/2/7976Tennessee, 91-65Williams1/7/8979Wisconsin, 73-70Olsen2/22/2780@Indiana, 27-18Dye2/27/5083@Michigan, 69-58St. John1/1/1792@ Elyria, 33-25O'Brien2/25/04104@Minnesota, 70-59Stahl12/19/55106@Tulane, 72-66
BUCKEYES TOUGH TO BEAT AT HOME UNDER MATTA
Thad Matta has directed the Buckeyes to a 36-3 record in Columbus in three seasons as head coach of the Buckeyes. He is 34-3 overall at Value City Arena, which includes a 21-0 record vs. non-conference foes. Ohio State defeated Chattanooga in November of 2005 at St. John Arena on the OSU campus and Youngstown State at Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus earlier this season. The 30-3 mark from 2004-06 at VCA (13-3 vs. the Big Ten) is the best two-year record in the facility since Ohio State began play in 1998-99. The Buckeyes set the building record with 16 victories in 2005-06.
NOTING THE BUCKEYES
Jamar Butler: The junior from Lima, Ohio, needs 19 points to reach 500 for his Ohio State career ... he has averaged 7.0 points over 69 career games, which includes 48 starts ... Butler is a career 81 percent foul shooter (105-129) and averages 3.7 assists a game for his career ... when Butler hands out four or more assists, Ohio State is 27-5 during his tenure ... moves to the shooting guard position this year after spending his first two seasons as Ohio State's primary point guard ... second on squad with 34 assists and 10 steals.
Ivan Harris: A senior from Springfield, Ohio, Harris has played in 94 career games for the Buckeyes ... he has 498 career points for an average of 5.3 points a game ... in six games this season, his scoring average is up to 11.3 points a contest ... a career 41 percent shooter from 3-point range, Harris is nicknamed "Microwave" by his teammates for his ability to quickly heat up the Ohio State offense from long range, where he has made 84-204 treys for his career.
Ron Lewis: The Columbus, Ohio, native eclipsed the 1,300 career point mark with 11 points in the win vs. Eastern Kentucky Nov. 17 ... with a career scoring average of 13.7 points a game in 98 appearances at Bowling Green (60 gms.) and Ohio State (38 gms.), his scoring average is 17.0 ppg. this season, second among the Buckeyes ... Lewis is a career 33.8 percent shooter (120-355) from 3-point range but has upped that average to 47 percent (17-36) to date this season.
Matt Terwilliger: The junior from Troy, Ohio, has scored 116 career points in 48 career appearances for the Buckeyes ... recorded a career high 12 points in the win vs. Youngstown State (11/24) ... knocked down his first career 3-point attempt against the Penguins while connecting on 5 of 6 FG attempts ... has moved to the center spot to start the season but will likely return to the power forward spot as the season progresses ... minutes are up to 18.5 a game after averaging just over nine a contest his first two years in Columbus.
Mike Conley, Jr.: The freshman point guard from Indianapolis leads the Buckeyes with 38 assists and 19 steals this season ... opened career with 10 assist game against VMI Nov. 10 ... that VMI total is tied for the second-most assists in a single game by a freshman at Ohio State and is tied for the No. 9 spot all-time for assists in a game ... handed out nine helpers against San Francisco Nov. 20 ... his five steals vs. VMI is tied for the most in a game by an OSU rookie ... also recorded five thefts vs. Youngstown State (11/24) ... starts in all six games ... averages nearly 27 minutes a game ... connected on all six FGs vs. Eastern Kentucky ... shooting percentage is .590 (23-39).
Daequan Cook: Three outings of 20 or more points in his young career, including his first game as a Buckeye with 22 in the season opener vs. VMI and most recently in the win vs. San Francisco with 20 ... leads team with 17.8 points per game and is second with a 7.0 rebounds per game average ... the Dayton, Ohio, native plays 23.5 minutes a game off the bench ... has the ability to score both inside and from long range ... connecting on 58 percent of his field goals (43-74) and 48 percent from 3-point range (12-25) ... acrobatic one-handed dunk off an alley-oop pass from Jamar Butler vs. the Dons (11/17) was a crowd pleaser.
Othello Hunter: Six starts to date for the Winston-Salem, N.C., native ... averages 7.7 points and a team-leading 7.2 rebounds a game ... shooting 54 percent (19-35) from the field ... also tops the roster with 11 blocks this season.
David Lighty: Along with classmate Mike Conley, Jr., David Lighty started his first career game for the Buckeyes, the first true rookie to do so since Michael Redd in 1997 ... Lighty, a Cleveland, Ohio, native, plays 26 minutes a game ... earned court time with his defense but is contributing offensively with 8.3 points a game on 19-38 shooting (.500) for the season.
LEWIS EARNS 1ST BIG TEN HONOR
Senior guard Ron Lewis averaged 20.0 points and shot 56 percent from the field (19-34) in leading Ohio State to the 2006 BCA Classic Title Nov. 12 with a win vs. Kent State. The effort earned the Columbus, Ohio, native the Big Ten Conference Player of the Week, the first honor issued by the league this season. Lewis also knocked down 10-of-19 3-pointers (.526) and 12-of-14 foul shots (.857) in Ohio State's first three wins of the season to earn the BCA Classic MVP honor.
HARRIS SCORES TEAM-HIGH 19 IN WIN OVER YOUNGSTOWN STATE
Freshmen Daequan Cook and Mike Conley Jr. and backup forward Matt Terwilliger led a first-half onslaught to power Ohio State past Youngstown, 91-57 last Friday. No team has come closer than 12 points against Ohio State, which is winning by an average margin of 26 points. Ivan Harris had 19 points, Cook had 17 points and 11 rebounds, Lewis 16 points, Terwilliger 12 and David Lighty 11. Jamar Butler added nine assists and Conley had eight points, five assists and five steals. Terwilliger, a junior, scored 10 points in the first half to surpass his career high by a point. He also attempted his first collegiate 3-pointer and made it. John Barber scored 16 points, Quin Humphrey 15 and Keston Roberts 11 for the Penguins (2-4), who fell to 0-16 against Big Ten opponents and 0-4 against Ohio State.
NOTING THE YOUNGSTOWN ST. GAME
The Buckeyes recorded their 201st win as a Top 10 team Friday. When ranked in the Top 10 (No. 3 USA Today and No. 4 in AP) Ohio State has an all-time record of 201-51. As a Top 25 squad, the Buckeyes are 300-91.
Ohio State is 2-0 in games played at Nationwide Arena. The Buckeyes defeated Virginia Tech 62-57 Dec. 6, 2003 in downtown Columbus.
The Buckeyes had a 51-11 advantage in bench points Friday. Three of Ohio State's four top scorers came off the bench.
Overall, five Buckeyes scored in double digits for the second time this season. Five Buckeyes scored double figures in Ohio State's 107-69 victory over VMI in the season opener.
Five Buckeyes had at least five rebounds Friday, led by Daequan Cook's career-best 11.
Junior Matt Terwilliger scored a career high 12 points vs. in the win over the Penguins. He also knocked down his first career 3-pointer in the first half.
Following a 10-all tie at the 14:01 mark of the first half, the Buckeyes went on a 30-4 run over a 9:26 stretch to take a 40-14 lead after a Mike Conley Jr. steal and dunk at the 4:32 mark of the first half.
Ohio State's 54 first half points is a season high for the first 20 minutes. Ohio State scored 56 points in the second half vs. VMI Nov. 10.
Junior Jamar Butler finished with nine assists. In the last two games he has totaled 16 assists and just two turnovers. Ohio State is now 27-5 when Butler hands out four or more helpers in a game.
Ohio State made 13-29 3-pointers Friday against the Penguins, marking the third time this season the Buckeyes have connected on 10 or more treys in a game. Ohio State is 36-5 all time when making 10 or more 3s in a game. In the last three years under Matta, Ohio State is 20-3 when making 10 or more from long range.
The Buckeyes shot 50.7 percent (35-69) from the floor Friday. Under Matta, Ohio State is now 21-2 when the Buckeyes shoot 50-percent or better from the floor. Ohio State has shot better than 50 percent in five of six games this season.
With the win Friday, Ohio State now is 48-9 against members of the Horizon League and 3-0 against Youngstown State.
Conley Jr. was credited with five steals, which tied his career high and the Ohio State single game freshman record for steals in a game.
Senior Ron Lewis scored 16 points Friday, giving him double-figures in all six games this season. Lewis finished with a season-best seven rebounds.
The Buckeyes are now 6-0 this season when leading at the half (54-25).
Senior Ivan Harris scored 19 points Friday, one of his career-best of 20 at LSU Jan. 15, 2005.
Nine of 10 Buckeyes who played scored Friday.
BUCKEYES WIN BCA CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE GAME AGAINST KENT STATE
Ron Lewis led Ohio State with 18 points and three teammates joined him in double figures as the Buckeyes went 3-0 in the BCA Classic to claim the title with an 81-59 win against Kent State last Sunday at Value City Arena. Jamar Butler, the only starter back from last season's Big Ten champions, added 14 points, junior-college transfer Othello Hunter had 13 and freshman David Lighty finished with 10. Lewis was the tournament MVP for the Buckeyes. He was joined on the all-tournament team by freshman Daequan Cook. Nobody hit double figures for Kent State, the defending Mid-American Conference regular-season and tournament champions. Omni Smith had nine points and three others had eight. The Buckeyes hit half of their 26 3-point attempts and ended up shooting 55 percent from the field. Kent State had 20 turnovers and hit just 4-of-15 shots behind the arc. Sub Ivan Harris hit three big 3-pointers that helped turn the tide.
OHIO STATE, 86-18 IN HOME OPENERS, PREPARES FOR FIRST ROAD TEST
Ohio State opened its 108th season of men's basketball against Virginia Military Institute Nov. 10, a 107-69 OSU win. The Buckeyes are 82-22 (.788) all-time in season openers. In the first road game of the year, Ohio State is 51-53 (.490). Ohio State is 86-18 (.827) in home openers.
BUCKEYES OPEN SEASON AMONG THE TOP 10 IN BOTH POLLS
Ohio State ended the 2006 season ranked No. 6 in the final Associated Press Poll and No. 13 in the last ESPN/USA Today coaches poll. This year, after losing four senior starters the Buckeyes are currently ranked No. 1 in the coaches poll and No. 3 in the AP Top 25.
BUCKEYES EARN WIN NO. 200 AS TOP 10 SQUAD, 300 IN TOP 25
Ohio State is 201-51 (.798) all time when carrying a Top 10 ranking and 300-91 (.767) when ranked among the Top 25 in the Associated Press rankings.
MATTA UNBEATEN IN OPENERS
Ohio State is the third stop as a head coach for Thad Matta. In his seven debuts, Matta defeated Eastern Illinois (90-73) in his first game at Butler in 2000. In his first game as Xavier head coach in 2001, Matta's squad downed Coastal Carolina 72-41. He also guided the Musketeers to season-opening wins in 2002, an 87-48 win over St. Peters in the preseason NIT, and in 2003, a 62-37 victory over Coppin State. In his first game as a Buckeye in 2004, the Buckeyes knocked off Towson University 74-53 in the opening round of the Guardians Classic in Columbus. Ohio State defeated Chicago State in the 2005 opener 81-52 and handled VMI in the season opener this year 107-69.
TAR HEELS OPEN SEASON 4-1
North Carolina opened the season with a pair of neutral site victories vs. Sacred Heart (103-81) and Winthrop (73-66) in the Preseason National Invitation Tournament. The Tar Heels then hosted Gardner-Webb, winning 103-50, before heading to New York to resume NIT play. Gonzaga handed North Carolina its lone loss to date, 82-74 in the NIT semifinals. The Tar Heels then defeated Tennessee in the third-place game 101-87. Sophomore Tyler Hansbrough is the leading scorer (20.6 ppg.) and rebounder (8.8) for UNC. He has made 58 percent of his shots from the field (34-59) in leading four Tar Heels in double figures.
OHIO STATE VS. THE ACC
Ohio State is 33-23 vs. teams representing the ACC all time and is 2-7 vs. North Carolina, 0-1 in Chapel Hill.
The Buckeyes vs. the ACCW-LBoston College1-1Clemson0-1Duke2-3Florida State3-0Georgia Tech10-3Maryland3-2Miami, Fla1-0North Carolina2-7North Carolina State0-1Virginia3-1Virginia Tech2-4Wake Forest6-0Totals33-23
MATTA INKS NEW DEAL WITH OSU
Thad Matta, who enters his third season as head coach of the Buckeyes, signed a new contract through the 2014-15 season, Eugene Smith, director of athletics at Ohio State, announced Nov. 3. Matta guided the Buckeyes to an outright Big Ten title in 2006 while earning league coach of the year honors along the way. He has produced 20+ win seasons in each of his six years as a collegiate head coach and has won league coach of the year awards in three NCAA Division I conferences.
BUCKEYES TABBED NO. 1 IN BIG TEN
Big Ten Conference media selected Ohio State as its preseason favorite to win the league regular-season crown in 2006-07. The Buckeyes are looking to win back-to-back conference titles for the first time since 1991 and 1992 after winning the outright regular-season title in 2006. Ohio State returns one starter from a year ago when the Buckeyes posted a 26-6 overall record and a 12-4 league mark.
MEDIA SELECT ODEN TO SHINE
Freshman center Greg Oden has yet to play a collegiate game and is recovering from right wrist surgery which has prohibited him from working out with the Buckeyes in contact situations. Even so, Oden appears on the preseason All-Big Ten list turned in by the conference media Oct. 29 in Chicago. Oden is expected to be available in time for the Big Ten regular-season opener against Indiana Jan. 2. The preseason recognition is believed to mark the first time a true freshman has been so recognized in conference history.
BUTLER ON WOODEN WATCH LIST
Junior guard Jamar Butler is one of 50 student-athletes participating in NCAA Division I basketball to appear on the John R. Wooden Award preseason watch list. The list will be cut to 30 in January. The award was created in 1976 and is annually given to the nation's best player.
OSU FRESHMEN IN STARTING FIVE
Jamar Butler was the last true freshman to crack the starting lineup for the Buckeyes prior to the season opener vs. VMI when rookies Mike Conley Jr. and David Lighty earned starting nods for Thad Matta's Buckeyes. Butler started his first game at Northwestern Jan. 29, 2005. He has been a mainstay in the first five ever since. The last true freshman to start the season opener was Michael Redd vs. Kent State Nov. 19, 1997. Redd played 39 minutes and scored 21 points on 9 of 17 shooting from the field. He also had nine rebounds.
OHIO STATE ON NATIONAL TV
The Buckeyes will appear on national television at least 14 times this season with the possibility of additional exposures as the regular season concludes, during the Big Ten tournament and in postseason play-should Ohio State qualify. Fans across the country will get their first look at Ohio State over national airwaves Wednesday when the Buckeyes travel to North Carolina for a Big Ten/ACC Challenge matchup on ESPN (9 p.m.). On Dec. 16, Cincinnati and Ohio State renew a rivalry at the Wooden Tradition in Indianapolis. CBS will televise that contest at 3:45 p.m. ET. Other CBS games include a matchup at No. 1 Florida Dec. 23, a home game vs. Tennessee Jan. 13, at Michigan State Feb. 3, at Minnesota Feb. 18 and vs. Wisconsin in Columbus Feb. 25. The regular season finale at Michigan also could be picked up by CBS. ESPN will televise the Buckeyes vs. their first three Big Ten foes Jan. 2 vs. Indiana, at Illinois Jan. 6 and at Wisconsin Jan. 9. Four other league games will be featured on ESPN or ESPN2 during regular season play.
OHIO STATE VS. THE BIG TEN CONFERENCE
Ohio State is 644-635 vs. the current members of the Big Ten Conference.
The Buckeyes vs. the Big TenW-LIllinois5697Indiana6797Iowa6172Michigan7969Michiga n State4554Minnesota7152Northwestern10144Penn State1812Purdue6978Wisconsin7760Totals644648

MATTA GOES FOR 7TH WITH 20
Thad Matta does not know what it's like to end a season with fewer than 20 wins during his head coaching career. The third year Ohio State coach came to the Buckeyes with a streak of four 20+ win seasons at Butler (24 wins in 2001) and Xavier (26 in all three years from 2002-04). With 20 victories in 2004-05 and 26 a season ago at Ohio State, Matta is one of two coaches nationally to record 20 or more wins in the first six seasons of his coaching career. Mark Few of Gonzaga is the other with 20+ in all seven years with the Bulldogs. Matta has the Buckeyes off to a 6-0 start this season.
2007 NCAA TOURNAMENT RETURNS TO COLUMBUS
The NCAA tournament will return to Columbus for the opening rounds of the 2007 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, the organization announced in July 2004. Ohio State played host to the first and second rounds in March 2004, as it will in 2007. Games were played at Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus, which will again be the site of the event in 2007.
BANNER IN DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS RECOGNIZES ODEN, DAVENPORT
A 160-foot banner is on display in downtown Columbus recognizing two of the more prominent centers in college basketball. Two-time All-American Jessica Davenport, a senior on the Ohio State women's basketball team, along with two-time National High School Player of the Year Greg Oden, a 7-0 freshman center for the Buckeyes, are featured on the larger-than-life display. The banner is part of Ohio State's effort to publicize its outstanding student-athletes and coaches around the city of Columbus.
THE NEWCOMERS
Thad Matta recruited one of the best classes nationally for the 2006-07 season. Four of the top freshmen in the country along with a talented junior college forward joined the Buckeyes for the 2006 fall quarter in Columbus.
The four incoming Ohio State freshmen all played for state championships during their senior high school seasons. Three won titles with the other finishing as runner-up.
Greg Oden (a 7-0 center) and 6-1 guard Mike Conley Jr., led Indiana's Lawrence North High School to its third-consecutive state championship March 25, 2006, with a victory over Muncie Central (80-56). Oden led all scorers with 26 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field. He also was the game's top rebounder with 11. Conley added 21 points and seven boards in the win.
Daequan Cook, a 6-5 guard, led Dayton (Ohio) Dunbar to its first state title in 19 years with a 73-46 victory over Triway in the Ohio Division II state championship game (3/25/06) at Value City Arena in Columbus. Cook scored 23 points in the victory.
David Lighty, a 6-5 guard/forward, led his Villa Angela-St. Joseph (Cleveland, Ohio) squad to the Ohio Division III state title game as well. Lighty scored 20 points in a loss to North College Hill.
FOUR FIRST TEAMERS
All four incoming freshmen were named to their state's first team all-state squads as seniors. Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr., were honored in Class 4A, the large school division in Indiana, while Daequan Cook (Ohio Division II) and David Lighty (Ohio Division III) made their respective teams. Cook, the Division II Ohio Player of the Year, and Lighty both made the Associated Press all-state tournament teams as well in their respective divisions.
THREE MORE MCDONALD'S ALL-AMERICANS
With the addition of Oden, Conley Jr., and Cook, Ohio State will have four former McDonald's High School All-Americans on its squad in 2006-07.
Senior Ivan Harris played in the annual game (first played in 1977) in 2003. Ohio State has had a total of 10 current or former student-athletes compete in the McDonald's game. Clark Kellogg (1979), Perry Carter (1987), Treg Lee (1987), Jim Jackson (1989), Charles Macon (1992) and Greg Simpson (1992) all played in the prestigious event.
Ohio State has had multiple players play in the game twice previously with Carter and Lee in 1987 and Macon and Simpson in 1992. Ohio State and North Carolina had three players compete in the 2006 game.
ODEN CLAIMS SEVERAL NATIONAL AWARDS
Greg Oden is one of the most recognized and honored high school student-athletes of all-time. His list of accomplishments grew when he was recognized in April 2006 as the Gatorade Boy's Basketball Player of the Year for the second-consecutive season, a rare feat accomplished just once before when LeBron James was so honored in 2001 and '02.
U.S. NATIONAL TEAM INVITES ODEN TO WORKOUTS
The only high school player invited to work out with the U.S. Senior National team July 19-26, 2006 in Las Vegas, Greg Oden was scheduled to practice against members from the national team who were selected to represent the United States at the 2006 World Championships in Japan and ultimately the 2008 U.S. Olympic men's basketball team. Oden was unable to participate after right wrist surgery in June ended his summer schedule.
JUNIOR COLLEGE FORWARD COMPLETES 2006-07 CLASS
Othello Hunter, a 6-9 forward/center, was the final player to commit to the five-player incoming class of student-athletes in 2006-07. He averaged nine points and six rebounds a game for Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Fla., as a freshman. He improved those numbers to 16.8 points and 11.4 rebounds a game as a sophomore.
Hunter had 15 games in 2005-06 with 10 or more rebounds with a season-high 20 boards vs. St. Petersburg College (1/21/06). For his career, he managed 10 or more rebounds 19 times and 10 or more points 32 times.
Hunter recorded 18 career double-doubles at HCC, including 14 during his sophomore season.
Hillsborough finished 24-6 in 2005-06 and 19-14 in 2004-05. The team lost in the 2006 Florida Community College Activities Association State Tournament opening round to River Community College (75-68). Hunter scored 22 points, grabbed 17 rebounds and blocked six shots in the loss.
THE SCHEDULE
Ohio State opened the 2006-07 season as the host school for the 2006 BCA Classic. The Buckeyes earned the title with a 3-0 record.
The Buckeyes take on two of the nation's top teams on the road in 2006. Ohio State travels to North Carolina as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge Nov. 29 and later takes on Florida, the defending NCAA champions, in Gainesville Dec. 23.
A neutral-site game vs. Cincinnati in Indianapolis at the Wooden Classic renews a rivalry between the intrastate foes. Dec. 16. Tennessee also begins a home-and-home series with the Buckeyes with a clash in Columbus Jan. 13. The Big Ten season gets underway Jan. 2 with Indiana, an ESPN-televised game in Columbus.
Ohio State will play Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota once this season with home-and-home matches vs. the remaining league schools. Indiana and Iowa travel to Columbus while Illinois and Minnesota play host to the Buckeyes this season.
 
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Quotable

"I got one, I don't know if he's got one," Matta said, laughing, when asked yesterday if he and coach Jim Tressel walk around campus together wearing "We're No. 1" T-shirts.
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i can just see it, he and JT walking around with those on, that would hilarious - give how modest both coaches are
 
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I am living in this s***-hole of a state right now, but fortunatly there are plenty of Buckeye fans around. I'll have to find a nice sports bar to sit with some Buckeye fans and rub our victory in the faces of the locals! Muhahahahahahaha.

Go Buckeyes!!!!:osu2:
 
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Okinawa's#1Buck;673083; said:
I am living in this s***-hole of a state right now, but fortunatly there are plenty of Buckeye fans around. I'll have to find a nice sports bar to sit with some Buckeye fans and rub our victory in the faces of the locals! Muhahahahahahaha.

Go Buckeyes!!!!:osu2:
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Shithole of a state?

If you are a college basketball fan at all North Carolina is one of the greatest places to be, especially Tobacco Road...
 
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msnbc.com


Oden-less Buckeyes are toast against Heels

Freshman center still recuperating from offseason surgery in right wrist


It?s a shame freshman center Greg Oden won?t be healthy enough to play when Ohio State takes on North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Wednesday night. In cinematic terms, it?s kind of like hearing a new James Bond film has been released ? but knowing Sean Connery hasn?t returned to his role as 007.
Too bad ESPN couldn?t change the date of the game to mid-January, when Oden is almost certain to be back in action after offseason surgery on his right wrist. The cable network is a powerful player in the world of college scheduling, but this game already is a made-for-TV event as part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.
Ohio State vs. North Carolina will be billed as the premier attraction during Challenge week, but it won?t live up to the hype without Oden. The Buckeyes don?t stand a chance of beating North Carolina at the Dean Dome with Oden sitting on the bench.
The Tar Heels are well known for protecting their home turf and the setup for this game couldn?t be any better for coach Roy Williams. North Carolina dropped from No. 2 in both polls last week to No. 7 in the Associated Press poll and No. 6 in the USA Today/ESPN rankings after losing to Gonzaga. That should have the Tar Heels feeling very hungry.
Ohio State is undefeated, ranked No. 3 by the AP but No. 1 in the eyes of the coaches who vote in the USA Today/ESPN poll. In some strange way, some of those coaches might be trying to punish Ohio State coach Thad Matta for his recent recruiting success. Holding the No. 1 ranking for the first time and going into a highly publicized national TV game will be an enormous burden for Matta?s young Ohio State team. The Buckeyes have McDonald?s All-Americans in point guard Mike Conley and shooting guard Daequan Cook, but North Carolina?s six-man freshman class is headed by Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Brandan Wright - three of the top 10 recruits in the class of 2006.
?I?d feel better if Greg was healthy and we were going to North Carolina,? Matta told The Columbus Dispatch.
We would all feel better about watching too. Oden has been heralded as the best big man to emerge from the high school level in decades. His presence now would inject some life into an otherwise ho-hum Challenge
Don?t misunderstand. Watching Maryland remain undefeated on the strength of a 72-66 victory at Illinois is much better than being subjected to another routine, early season Terrapin blowout of High Point, Siena or Mount St. Mary?s. This type of non-conference scheduling would not take place without ESPN and its early-season gimmicks.
In addition to the big showdown between Ohio State and North Carolina, there is another intriguing matchup Wednesday night. Michigan State plays at Boston College in a game featuring two surprises. Boston College can?t afford another non-conference loss after falling to Vermont and Providence, but the Eagles are in for a battle against the rapidly improving Spartans.
By the way, Michigan State is the only Big Ten team with a winning record (4-2) in the Challenge. Duke improved to 8-0 with its victory over Indiana Tuesday night.
Maybe the ACC?s domination has started to sap some of the energy from this event. After winning three of the five games Tuesday night, the ACC now holds a 44-26 advantage in the Challenge. I?m not sure how much these events actually prove. When March rolls around no one discusses the outcome of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge in relation to postseason success. But the ACC has built a pretty convincing argument over the last eight years that it is a better basketball conference than the Big Ten.
The ACC-Big East Challenge, which ran from 1989-91, seemed to have a higher energy level. The Big East, with great success in its first decade of existence, had become a threat to the established ACC. And the four-night event was carried exclusively on the original ESPN network. Now the ACC-Big Ten games overlap on ESPN and ESPN2. Two of the games (Penn State at Georgia Tech, Iowa at Virginia Tech) were carried on ESPNU, which reaches a limited number of households.
The Big East coaches eventually got their way and the ended the challenge with the ACC. They didn?t care for the extra game against a difficult opponent. Administrators preferred a schedule with an extra home game and revenue that didn?t have to be shared with other conference members.
But the exposure and recruiting advantages of early-season games between high profile conferences can?t be denied. Next year, the Big East and Southeastern Conference will begin a four-year deal calling for two doubleheaders each season. The Pac-10 and Big 12 is currently negotiating a similar agreement. Details have not been finalized but the goal is to begin those games during the 2007-08 season as well.
Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese has said the event with the SEC will not be true to the ?challenge? concept. Each school will play just once during the length of the agreement and games will be played in big arenas at neutral sites.
Mark Dec. 5-6, 2007 on your hoop calendar. Those are the tentative dates for the first Big East-SEC Shootout.
 
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