OSU BASKETBALL
Harris has his own national title dream
Ohio State's football team isn't the only show in Columbus as the Springfield native and the rest of Matta's team is showing.
By
Kermit Rowe
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Springfield's Ivan Harris has come full circle.
And now he's got a date circled on his calendar that he could legitimately make ? one that would be a memorable end to his basketball career at Ohio State.
That date is April 2, 2007 ? the night of the NCAA Championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
And why not? His Buckeyes were ranked No. 1 in this week's coaches poll and No. 3 in the Associated Press' version, although they'll fall after a loss to North Carolina on Wednesday. Heck, there's already one Ohio State team in a high-profile national title game. Why not two?
At any rate, it's a long way from precocious freshman on a sub-.500 team under Jim O'Brien to a senior leader of the top-ranked Bucks of Thad Matta.
Did he ever think he'd be in this position?
"Not really," answered Harris, who had 20 points Wednesday against the Tar Heels and nine Saturday in a 78-58 victory over Valparaiso. "When I got here, the team was struggling a little bit. Then as the years went on, our record started to get better, and we started to get better players in here."
Being the only leftover from the O'Brien regime gives Harris a unique perspective.
"It has changed dramatically," said Harris. "Starting at the bottom and working all the way to the top and winning the Big Ten last year was something special. This year, we've got some great young players, some All-Americans, and we want to win it all."
The young guns ? tabbed the "Thad Five" ? are turning to Harris and fellow senior Ron Lewis for leadership.
"It's a whole new atmosphere for them," he said. "I'm just here as senior to step in and be a leader and show them the ropes. We're just there to be the big-brother figures."
It's a role he welcomes.
"As long as we are winning games, it's fine with me," said Harris. "The young class that's in here now, I feel real comfortable with them as far as learning the offense. They are very coachable players."
Speaking of coachable, that's been Harris' calling card ever since his days as a North Panther and South Wildcat. It may just explain why he's the only O'Brien leftover.
"I've been with Coach Matta for three years, and now I'm a senior trying to show some leadership," he said. "I want to show them (the younger Buckeyes) it is entirely different than high school ball. To get to that next level, you've got to work hard in practice."
Harris is pleased his role is finally defined.
"Coach Matta wants me to rebound and play hard every game, plus shoot open shots and play good defense," Harris said.
So far, so good. Harris is averaging 12.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest after just 3.6 points and 0.7 rebounds last year.
"So far, I'm doing pretty good," he said. "I'm trying to average 5 rebounds a game and work hard on defense. Rebounding is a mind set you have to have. I'm very happy with the way things are going."
Which explains his optimism.
"We haven't even gotten Greg Oden on the court," he said. "He is one of the big pieces of the puzzle for our team. With him coming back, we are really excited about what we can do.
"I think it would be a great experience for me to win a national championship."