Originally Published: April 3, 2010 $2.00

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Vol. 29, No. 23 “For The Buckeye Fan Who Needs To Know More” April 3, 2010 Y

Season Over; K Turner, Buford Weigh Options St. Louis Blues By ADAM JARDY Buckeye Sports Bulletin Staff Writer

Evan Turner has a decision to make for the second consecutive year. Last year, the State guard opted to return to Columbus for his junior season despite being projected as a first-round NBA draft pick. The decision paid off as he put up one of the most prolific seasons in program history and led the Buckeyes to the Sweet 16 for the first time in his career. The question now is whether Turner can again turn down the chance to fulfill a life- long dream. In the immediate aftermath of his team’s loss March 26 to Tennessee, Turner was asked if he could give a figure on how likely he is to return for his senior season. “I can’t give a percentage right now,” he said. “This (the loss) is just sticking in my head. I really don’t want to go out like that. I don’t even know.” It was the last time Turner was made available to reporters. However, Columbus television station WBNS-10TV caught up with the junior in the hallway of the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis about an hour after the game and Turner again expressed his conflicted emotions. “I don’t know what to think,” he said. “I don’t want to leave like this. That’s the hard- SONNY BROCKWAY est thing – leaving like this. I don’t know.” DOWN AND OUT – Ohio State junior standout (21) can only sit and watch March 26 as members of the Tennessee men’s team celebrate the Volunteers’ 76-73 victory in the Midwest Regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. Continued On Page 6 Remodeling, Not Rebuilding, On Tap Pryor completed 23 of 37 passes for 266 yards and By MARCUS HARTMAN Defense Looking For Leaders two while also picking up 72 yards A no-name defense that was one of the best in Buckeye Sports Bulletin Staff Writer on the ground against Oregon in the Rose Bowl. the country last year will be without a handful of The performance began anew speculation that he lunch-pail types many fans do not fully appreciate A year after undertaking a significant rebuild- will be a candidate for a plethora of postseason until they are gone. ing job, Jim Tressel opens the 2010 accolades in 2010. Of the five starters lost on defense – safeties spring football season at Ohio State with fewer “I’ve been going through all this since Anderson Russell and Kurt Coleman, defensive line- holes to fill and high expectations that inevitably high school,” Pryor said of receiv- men Doug Worthington and Thaddeus accompany the presence of a veteran squad. ing intense media attention. “It’s Gibson and linebacker Austin Spitler Overall, 15 starters and 33 members of last always team first. I’m looking for- 2010 – only Gibson would be considered a season’s two-deep are expected back, but there is ward to playing with them and dynamic athlete. Each of the five was still plenty of work for Tressel and his staff to do going undefeated and doing all SPRING a longtime contributor, however, who during the 15 days of spring practice that begin those things.” cannot be replaced with the snapping April 1 and conclude April 24 with the annual In a reversal from his first spring FOOTBALL of fingers. spring game. practice, Pryor is likely to find people Russell started for parts of four Ohio State has lost bigger stars (and more of more worried about his legs than his PREVIEW seasons, including 38 games, Coleman them) after most of Tressel’s previous nine sea- arm because of Feb. 10 arthroscopic and Worthington were three-year sons, but the holes from 2009 still have the poten- surgery on his left knee. starters, and Gibson manned the weakside defensive

Call (614) 486-2202 tial to be felt acutely without proper attention this Spring practice will be the first time he takes end position for most of two years. Combined, the Today To Subscribe To Today spring and summer. the field with the full squad since then, and fans foursome accounted for 122 starts. On the bright side for Tressel, his most promi- figure to get their first look at him in the spring Spitler logged only 10 starts – all last season nent player returns, and is coming game. Between those dates, the OSU – but he was a key special-teamer for three years off one of his most impressive performances on the and his teammates along with the coaching staff

Your Mailing Label Goes Here Your biggest stage of his two-year career. will have plenty of other worries to address and In the final game of his sophomore season, questions to answer. Continued On Page 18 Originally Published: April 3, 2010

OPINION OSU Basketball Remains Winter Diversion Vol. 29, No. 23 During one of our more pleasant now has a clause that provides him with a exchanges, former Ohio State basketball job as university associate athletic director April 3, 2010 coach Gary Williams and I were chatting EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK if he steps down as football coach on good www.BuckeyeSports.com one afternoon in his second-floor St. John terms before the contract ends. Arena office. Tressel, who makes about $3.5 million Buckeye Sports Bulletin (USPS 705-690, “I don’t understand the mentality around with per year if you add all of his incentives and ISSN 0883-6833.) is published 28 times a year (weekly September through November and here,” Williams said as he swiveled in his contract additions such as shoe deals, etc., January through early March, biweekly mid- chair and looked out the window. “We have Mark Rea is now signed through the 2014 season and March through May and monthly June through tradition, we have good facilities, we have will be 62 years old when that deal ends. August and December) by: the largest alumni base in the country. Why That is an age when many begin to think just won their third conference title in five Columbus Sports Publications can’t basketball be every bit as big as Ohio about early retirement, and the coach has 1350 W. Fifth Ave., Suite 30 State football?” seasons and the women have won six league often said he has no desire to follow the P.O. Box 12453 It didn’t take long to think of a reply. championships in a row – so there must be likes of or and Columbus, Ohio 43212 “When you look out that window, what more to the equation than the home venue. coach well into his golden years. (614) 486-2202 do you see?” I asked. Sum it up with one word if you like: win- Still, I get no inkling that Tressel’s inter- Periodical class postage paid at Columbus, “The football stadium,” Williams ning. Not single games or Big Ten champi- est in his profession is waning. He seems Ohio, and additional mailing offices. answered. onships, although those certainly have their equal parts indefatigable and indestructible, POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Buck- “And what’s the name of that street out importance. It’s winning the big prize. It’s showing up for 6 a.m. team workouts and eye Sports Bulletin, P.O. Box 12453, Columbus, Ohio 43212. Subscription rates: $74.95/year. there?” winning national championships. While the fulfilling speaking engagements and uni- “ Drive,” the coach grunt- Ohio State football team has won seven versity obligations well into the evening PUBLISHER ed. recognized national titles – and as many hours. Frank Moskowitz “There’s your answer,” I said. as 14 if you count various other poll selec- There is one more reason that I believe ASSISTANT PUBLISHER EMERITUS Williams wasn’t satisfied with that tors – the men’s basketball team has won Tressel will want to coach at least until he Karen Wachsman 1944-1999 response, of course, but it didn’t really exactly one. The women’s team? Zero. is 65. His team has signed a contract to play matter. He was a carpetbagger who only If you want to walk among the royalty a home-and-home series with Oklahoma MANAGING EDITOR of your particular sport, you have to bring Mark Rea used the Ohio State job as a career step- in 2016 and ’17, and I have a feeling he’ll pingstone to get where he really wanted to home the biggest trophy at least on occa- want to be around for those games. ASSISTANT PUBLISHER go. He left the Buckeyes in 1989 after only sion. The OSU football team has done that. Becky Roberts three seasons and returned to his alma mater The basketball teams have not. Some Final Thoughts PHOTOGRAPHY Maryland where he’s been ever since. More to the , the basketball teams • I got a couple of e-mails regarding Sonny Brockway Terry Gilliam Fast-forward more than two decades can’t even seem to get themselves into the conduct of Ohio State sophomore point Kevin Dye Josh Winslow from my conversation with Williams to position to bring home a national champion- guard Samantha Prahalis in both the Big Ten one I had with an Ohio State basketball fan ship. The NCAA has been holding its men’s and NCAA tournaments. In case you missed CONTRIBUTORS Bill Armstrong Craig Merz immediately following this year’s NCAA basketball tournament since 1939 and Ohio it, Prahalis was a chest-thumping firebrand David Breithaupt Bob Roehm Tournament loss to Tennessee. State has made 10 trips to the Final Four. in the conference tourney and a volcano of Rich Exner Julie Roy He had watched the March 26 region- On five of those occasions, the Buckeyes unbridled frustration in the NCAA loss to Matthew Hager Mark Schmetzer have played for the title and they have come Marcus Hartman Steve Siegfried al semifinal loss to the Volunteers at a Mississippi State. First of all, she is only Adam Jardy Stacey Stathulis Columbus-area restaurant and remarked home with the trophy once. a sophomore and is still learning there is Rich Leonardo Jeff Svoboda about the mood of his fellow fans. As a comparison, State has a time and a place to show emotion on the Eric Loughry Mike Wachsman “This was as disappointing a loss as I can earned a trip to this year’s Final Four, the court. On the other hand, what’s wrong with

remember,” he said. “We seemed to be so Spartans’ sixth trip in the past 12 seasons. a little swagger? Foster would do well to DIRECTOR OF GROUP AND CO-OP SALES close to making the Final Four and then just On the women’s side, the tournament show a little more of his on occasion. Jack Woodworth got it ripped away. And these people – they has been held since 1982 and the Buckeyes • By the time you read this, Ohio State don’t even seem to care. I thought they were have made exactly one trip to the Final spring football practice will be upon us. ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Ron Friedman Jan Jager into the game, but when it was over they Four. That came in 1993 when they lost What is the biggest position battle? In my were like, ‘Oh, well. Spring football starts an 84-82 heartbreaker to Texas Tech in the humble option, it will be left tackle. If Mike 2009-10 PUBLICATION SCHEDULE (VOL. 29) next week.’ championship game. Adams can live up to his potential and lock No. 1 Sept. 12 No. 15 Jan. 23 “Tennessee beat us in the Citrus Bowl in As a comparison, Purdue has been to down that spot, the Buckeyes will have one No. 2 Sept. 19 No. 16 Jan. 30 the Final Four three times since 1994 and No. 3 Sept. 26 No. 17 Feb. 6 1996 and people still talk about that game of the most solid offensive lines in college No. 4 Oct. 3 No. 18 Feb. 13 like it was yesterday. This one they won’t brought home the championship in ’99. football, and that would allow one of col- No. 5 Oct. 10 No. 19 Feb. 20 even remember until next week. I just don’t You may think I am being unfair to the lege football’s most potentially electrifying No. 6 Oct. 17 No. 20 Feb. 27 get that.” Ohio State basketball programs. After all, players to relax and do his thing at quarter- No. 7 Oct. 24 No. 21 March 6 Such are the lives of passionate basket- Thad Matta has won 74.3 percent of his back. No. 8 Oct. 31 No. 22 March 20 ball fans – and coaches – in a town that lives games in six seasons while Jim Foster has Just in case you didn’t think there were No. 9 Nov. 7 No. 23 April 3 • No. 10 Nov. 14 No. 24 April 17 and dies with its football team. Basketball? won 80.3 percent of his games in eight sea- enough bowl games, wel- No. 11 Nov. 21 No. 25 May 1 A polite little diversion to fill the time sons. Add in their nine combined Big Ten comes one more this coming season. Teams No. 12 Nov. 28 No. 26 June between bowl season and spring football. championship rings and you have a pretty from the Big East and Big 12 will square No. 13 December No. 27 July Why is that? As I tried to explain to compelling argument why OSU basketball off Dec. 30 in Yankee Stadium for an inau- No. 14 Jan. 16 No. 28 August Williams so many years ago, it is the reason is every bit as successful as OSU football. gural game aptly named the Pinstripe Bowl. The next issue (April 17 cover date) will be Woody Hayes Drive bisects the campus To be honest, criticism of Matta and/or Nothing says bowl season quite like New mailed April 13. between St. John Arena and Ohio Stadium Foster is incredibly unfair. But the bottom York City in late December. while Fred Taylor Drive is mostly a back line in their profession continues to be Final • Florida head coach ’s Buckeye Sports Bulletin is a private- Four appearances and national champion- ly owned newspaper and is not affiliated alley leading to overflow parking areas. recent tirade against an Orlando Sentinel directly or indirectly with The Ohio State Some blame the venue in which both the ships. Only when they start putting those writer reminded me of a similar altercation University. men and women play. Whether you choose accomplishments on their résumés can we I had with Williams in 1989. One major to call it The Schott or , begin to have a conversation about whether difference: After Meyer’s outburst was Ohio State basketball should be mentioned BSB e-mail address is: [email protected] the cavernous multipurpose building is not caught on tape and posted to the Internet, very fan-friendly. It has a cold, antiseptic in the same sentence with Ohio State foot- the Florida coach had little choice but to feel – the direct opposite of the comfortable ball. offer an apology to writer Jeremy Fowler. quirkiness of St. John – plus the acoustics Williams’ public upbraiding of me was in the Schottenstein Center are horrible and Beginning Of The End? in the pre-YouTube days; therefore, no the seating arrangement doesn’t give the When Ohio State athletic director Gene apology. I wonder if Meyer’s tantrum Buckeyes much of a home-court advan- Smith announced March 16 that he was add- hadn’t been flashed all over cyberspace tage. ing two years to Jim Tressel’s contract, the if he would have apologized to Fowler. Despite the fact the men were 17-1 at news was met with a collective yawn. Doubtful. home and the women were 19-1 this season, Tressel has earned a litany of contract • One final note about Williams. He apathy ruled among the fan base. The men amendments and extensions during his nine wanted to coach at a basketball school and averaged 14,181 in home attendance, the seasons with the Buckeyes, and an exten- he made the right choice in leaving Ohio women a paltry 3,822 (an all-time program sion in the wake of another Big Ten cham- State. During his 21 seasons at Maryland, low since moving to VCA for the 1998-99 pionship and subsequent Rose Bowl victory he has a national championship and a .650 season). seemed like a no-brainer. winning percentage. Over the same span, Those attendance figures are borderline There was an interesting addendum to the Terrapins’ football program has had a embarrassing for programs that have domi- the extension, however, and it seemed to .472 winning percentage under four differ- nated the Big Ten in recent years – the men bring out the conspiracy theorists. Tressel ent head coaches. www.BuckeyeSports.com BUCKEYE SPORTS BULLETIN April 3, 2010 • 3 Originally Published: April 3, 2010

COVER STORY: ST. LOUIS BLUES Turner’s Future Up In Air After NCAA Run Continued From Page 1 2009-10 Ohio State Men’s Basketball Statistics Asked if that meant there was a chance he would return for his senior season, Turner 29-8 Overall (14-4 Big Ten) replied, “Yeah, but I can’t really make that Statistics through games of March 26 decision right now. I don’t know too much Rebounds right now. Emotions are high and I don’t Player G-GS Min.-Avg. FG-FGA Pct. 3P-3PA Pct. FT-FTA Pct. Off.-Def. Total-Avg. PF-FO A TO BS ST Pts.-Avg. want to make a decision off emotions. It just Evan Turner 31-31 1109-35.8 237-457 .519 20-55 .364 138-182 .758 62-222 284-9.2 86-3 185 136 28 54 632-20.4 sucks to go out like this.” William Buford 37-37 1271-34.4 197-450 .438 49-128 .383 89-118 .754 52-157 209-5.6 81-1 116 65 10 41 532-14.4 One good sign for Turner’s return is Jon Diebler 37-37 1375-37.2 148-338 .438 116-276 .420 69-79 .873 9-93 102-2.8 65-0 54 38 3 42 481-13.0 David Lighty 37-37 1344-36.3 164-333 .492 44-115 .383 96-152 .632 53-115 168-4.5 90-1 110 85 20 58 468-12.6 the fact that he remained enrolled in spring Walter Offutt 2-0 22-11.0 4-9 .444 2-5 .400 4-6 .667 1-2 3-1.5 3-0 2 0 1 1 14-7.0 courses, which began March 29. D. Lauderdale 36-34 903-25.1 99-128 .773 0-0 .000 35-86 .407 59-128 187-5.2 79-0 9 32 77 23 233-6.5 That was only one deadline he faced, Jeremie Simmons 33-0 403-12.2 51-114 .447 30-77 .390 24-34 .706 3-21 24-0.7 34-0 25 14 1 15 156-4.7 however. Turner has until April 12 to with- P.J. Hill 27-6 329-12.2 25-56 .446 13-34 .382 24-28 .857 5-27 32-1.2 33-1 33 16 0 10 87-3.2 draw from Ohio State without having a Kyle Madsen 37-3 498-13.5 40-70 .571 0-0 .000 14-18 .778 30-38 68-1.8 63-1 6 22 9 13 94-2.5 negative effect on the team’s Academic Nikola Kecman 15-0 70-4.7 12-25 .480 2-13 .154 3-5 .600 3-13 16-1.1 14-1 2 2 2 1 29-1.9 Progress Report rating. And college under- Z. Sarikopoulos 14-0 84-6.0 6-11 .545 0-0 .000 1-5 .200 9-11 20-1.4 14-0 2 5 6 2 13-0.9 8-0 18-2.3 0-3 .000 0-3 .000 1-2 .500 0-1 1-0.1 1-0 1 0 0 0 1-0.1 classmen have until 11:59 p.m. on April 25 Eddie Days 4-0 7-1.8 0-2 .000 0-2 .000 0-0 .000 0-1 1-0.3 0-0 0 0 0 1 0-0.0 to declare for the NBA draft. If a player does Danny Peters 11-0 18-1.6 0-2 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-1 1-0.1 2-0 0 2 0 1 0-0.0 not hire an agent, he can test the waters and TEAM 51-67 118-3.3 6 opt to return to school until June 14. Ohio State 37 7450 983-1998 .492 276-708 .390 498-715 .697 337-897 1234-33.4 565-8 545 423 157 262 2740-74.1 As Turner celebrated on the floor at Opponents 37 7450 826-2014 .410 245-727 .337 377-531 .710 374-800 1174-31.7 674-14 460 529 75 199 2274-61.5 Value City Arena after helping the Buckeyes earn a share of the conference title March 2, goal. The Buckeyes captured a share of the and then led the Buckeyes back into the back,” Hill said. “He’s been saying that he’s fans chanted “One more year!” as he accept- Big Ten regular-season title and won three NCAA Tournament as a sophomore only to going to come back but he wants to focus ed the trophy. He gestured to the crowd with games in as many days to earn the league’s fall to Siena in a first-round overtime loss. on this season and deal with everything else one finger in the air and mouthed, “One tournament crown, but Turner said what he His final two shot attempts against the next year, but he’s going to be back. I plan more?” while grinning. After the game, he was really after was the national champion- Volunteers came as he tried to knot the score on him being back.” coyly said he was not sure what the fans ship. in the final seconds, but neither three-pointer Head coach Thad Matta said he will not were saying and was asking them to repeat As early as late February, Turner was found the bottom of the net. talk Turner into returning, instead encourag- themselves. asked for his thoughts on heading to the Junior guard Jon Diebler was asked if the ing him to do what he thinks is best for him When he opted to return this season after NBA. way the season ended would make it more and his family. averaging 17.3 points and 7.1 rebounds as “It’s all based on how we’re going to do likely for Turner to return. “The challenge right now is he and I just a sophomore, Turner cited his desire to be this year,” he said. “If I don’t get all I want “I think so because he’s a competitor sitting down and having a conversation of remembered as a player who brought titles to get out of college … then I’m going to be and he hates losing,” said Diebler, who is where his mind is and what exactly he wants back to Columbus. back for another year.” also Turner’s roommate. “He knows how to do,” the OSU coach said. “I told him, This season would have to be classi- During his tenure at Ohio State, Turner far we could have gotten this year. It leaves ‘You’d better hang on – there’s going to be fied as at least partial success toward that helped capture an NIT title as a freshman a bad taste in your mouth. Yeah, we got to people coming at you.’ They’re like vultures the Sweet 16 but as a group we had higher out there right now. expectations.” “What he’s given this program and the Senior guard P.J. Hill, who served as three years he’s been here, it’s truly amaz- Turner’s seldom-used backup this season, ing and I love the kid. And I’m going to said he thinks Turner will return for another do what’s right for him and what he wants TEE UP FOR SPRING WITH year. to do.” “He said he’s coming back, so that’s In the locker room after the game, his what we’re planning on – that’s he coming teammates said his play this season never reflected the fact that he was thinking about BUCKEYE GOLF! the chance to become a top NBA draft pick. 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6 • BUCKEYE SPORTS BULLETIN April 3, 2010 www.BuckeyeSports.com Originally Published: April 3, 2010

COVER STORY: ST. LOUIS BLUES playing right now. They can still be in the guard William Buford, who finished second Lauderdale said he felt this year’s team just didn’t get what we came here for. It’s tournament and they’re thinking about going on the team in scoring with 14.4 points was collectively greater than the sum of just a bad feeling.” to the NBA. while adding 5.6 rebounds per game. The its parts, a feeling that was buoyed during Asked if the loss compared to any of the “Evan was not like that. His focus was on Toledo native has repeatedly told BSB that OSU’s run to the Big Ten tournament cham- other 18 suffered during his Buckeye career, this basketball team the whole time.” he plans to return for his junior season, a pionship. Buford answered, “Absolutely not. Our sea- From an individual standpoint, it would viewpoint he reiterated after the Tennessee “We won those three games with every- son is over with now. We’ve got to wait until seem Turner does not have much left to loss. body dead tired,” he said. “We just pulled next year and half of the team is going to be prove. He was named a first-team Associated “(Evan) knows I’m coming back,” Buford together and did something special. We were gone. You can’t compare it to anything.” Press All-American on March 29, marking said. “That’s up to him if he wants to do that. a true team. We are a true team. We will be The Buckeyes stand to lose five members the 10th time a Buckeye has been so hon- It’s his future (but) he knows I’m coming a true team.” of this year’s team due to graduation – schol- ored. Turner received all but one first-team back.” Added Matta after the loss to Tennessee: arship players Jeremie Simmons, Madsen vote from the 65-member panel that selects Asked if he felt he would have people in “They were never way up here (emotion- and Hill as well as walk-ons Danny Peters the team. He received AP honorable mention his ear telling him to turn pro, Buford said, ally). They were never way down. They kept and Mark Titus. last season. “Probably but I only listen to me. I’ve got going and I think that’s the hardest part as For Simmons and Hill, the ending was Additionally, he was named this year’s my own mind. We’ve got a real good team you look at them after this game. They’re especially bittersweet due to the roles they player of the year in the Big Ten and the coming in next year. I’m going to try to soak distraught because this isn’t where they assumed this season. After starting a com- most outstanding player in the conference this up and go on to next year.” thought it was going to end.” bined 33 games last season, each played tournament. The and the That Turner’s decision remains up for After the team’s success within the con- significantly reduced roles as seniors. United States Basketball Writers Association debate is a tribute to his allegiance to the ference, the Buckeyes emerged as a legiti- Hill tied a career low with 27 appear- each named him their national player of the program. mate candidate to bring home a national ances, the highlight of which was a career- year, and he remains a leading candidate “The hardest thing would be just leaving championship. Those feelings intensified high 18 points in relief of the injured Turner for the Naismith College Player of the Year my teammates if I do decide to leave,” he throughout the opening weekend of the against Eastern Michigan. But as the season honor that was to be announced at the Final said. “You never want to leave people you tournament when the two teams perceived wore on, Hill struggled to get playing time Four in Indianapolis. care about and leave them out on an island. to be OSU’s top competition in the Midwest and saw no more than one minute in any of Despite missing six games after suffering I feel like I’m going to leave the battle if I bracket – top-seeded Kansas and third- the team’s final 11 games. two fractured vertebrae in his back follow- do.” seeded Georgetown – failed to make it to Asked what he hopes he will be remem- ing a missed dunk Dec. 5 against Eastern the Sweet 16. bered for, Hill said, “Just my work ethic. I Michigan, Turner finished the season aver- In Memory Of … A victory against the Volunteers would hope I showed that even though I didn’t get aging 20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists With the season now in the books, the have given the Buckeyes an Elite Eight a chance this year, I’m still going to make it and 1.7 steals per game – all team highs. Buckeyes have an interesting season upon appearance against a Michigan State team to wherever I want to in life – to play over- NBADraft.net has Turner pegged as the which to reflect. missing star for the seas and then in the NBA. When I make it, No. 2 pick in this year’s draft should both After being picked third in the Big Ten right to advance to the Final Four. people are going to say, ‘He could have been he and Kentucky freshman opt to with all but one player returning from a Nevertheless, Hill said he feels this team a bigger part.’ ” leave school. Wall is listed as the top pick. season ago, Ohio State showed early signs will be known more for the hardware it did As for Simmons, he saw action in 33 One of the league’s all-time greats voiced of growing into an explosive squad with bring home than the one trophy still out games and averaged 4.7 points after putting his belief in Turner’s skills translating well the potential to challenge for a conference there. up 6.8 as a junior. to the NBA. championship. “I think we’ll be remembered for win- “We had a great run but I wanted to win a “He’s got it all,” Basketball Hall of Those hopes looked all but extinguished ning the Big Ten championship and the Big national championship so it’s disappointing Famer Magic Johnson told BSB in St. Louis. when Turner slipped off the rim after the Ten tournament,” he said. “I don’t think losing like that,” he said. “I’m really proud “He can pass, he knows how to make plays, missed dunk against Eastern Michigan. The people will look at the way we went out in of my teammates.” he sees the floor well, he can shoot from the Buckeyes went 3-3 during the next six the Sweet 16, even though we should have Madsen emerged as the lone senior to inside, shoot from the outside and he’s got games and looked little like the team that gone further. We’re going to be known as have a consistent role on the team. After ‘it.’ I think his best basketball is still ahead had knocked off two top-25 teams in the winners. scoring a combined 49 points during his first of him. nonconference schedule in California and “If you walk into The Schott, you’re two seasons, he totaled 94 points while aver- “He should be the college basketball Florida State. going to see those championship (banners) aging a career-high 13.5 minutes of action. player of the year and then he should be one Turner returned Jan. 6 for a win against up there.” “I’m just really proud to be a part of of the top two or three picks in the NBA Indiana, but the Buckeyes lost their next this team,” he said. “All these guys will be draft – no question about it. Anybody would game on the road at Minnesota to fall to 1-3 An Abrupt Farewell my friends forever. I don’t want it to end love to have him. He’s got a little bit of in conference play with a contest against a Lauderdale’s faraway stare better like this, but I certainly am happy with the (Jason Kidd), he’s got a little bit of (Tracy Purdue squad ranked sixth in the country expressed what his words could not. season.” McGrady), he’s got a little bit of myself, looming three days later. When the Ohio State locker room was Standing a few feet away from Madsen, a little bit of everybody. He’s got a great What happened next is fairly well known. opened 10 minutes following the team’s loss Simmons and Peters, Diebler credited their game.” Turner went off for a career-high 32 points to Tennessee, the junior center sat reclined in presence in the locker room. Should Turner opt to return, the Buckeyes as the Buckeyes scored the upset in West a chair in front of his locker. Back slouched “I just feel bad right now for the seniors would be considered among the favorites for Lafayette, igniting a stretch that saw them and hands resting idly on his lap, Lauderdale that we’re losing,” he said. “You don’t see the 2010-11 national championship. OSU emerge victorious in 12 of their final 13 Big looked a bit like Santa Claus minus the red everything that they do because it doesn’t will lose just one player who saw action Ten games. outfit and bushy beard. show up in the stat book, but they really do during every game this season in center Looking back on the season, Diebler said The scowl on his face, however, clearly so much for the basketball team. We’re los- Kyle Madsen and welcome in a top-rated he was proud of the fact that the Buckeyes suggested that any children attempting to ing some great guys.” recruiting class featuring power forward recovered from their rough start in confer- sit on his lap – or reporters wanting to get Lauderdale said it was that closeness that Jared Sullinger and Deshaun ence play. too personal – would be best served to stay separated this OSU team from the two others Thomas, each rated among the top 10 pros- “Starting 1-3 in the Big Ten, we weren’t away. he has been a part of during his career. pects in the country by Scout.com. feeling that great but we still knew we could “I can’t put it into words,” Lauderdale Matta said he had to be careful with how It is a future that junior center Dallas be a very good basketball team,” he said. said. “I don’t like to lose, period. Losing he addressed the team following the loss Lauderdale said he will try to impress upon “As the Big Ten wore on, we started beating isn’t fun. I can’t really describe how I’m because “I don’t know if I’ve ever been Turner before he makes a final decision. some good basketball teams on the road and feeling right now.” more proud of a basketball team. They had a “The only thing I’ll say to him is, ‘Let’s at home. We all realize that when we play It was a sentiment that was prevalent belief about them that became contagious. go win it all,’ ” Lauderdale said. “If that’s how we’re capable of, we’re one of the bet- throughout the locker room as a team pegged “I don’t know if I’ve had too many teams not motivating enough, then he’s out of ter teams in the country. I think that’s why for the Final Four suddenly had to explain that are this close in regards to just who they here.” we were so successful and doing a good job how its season had come to an abrupt end. were and their work ethic. You just enjoyed Also expected to return is sophomore toward the end of the year.” “It’s a bad feeling,” Buford said. “We being with them.”

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OHIO STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL Tennessee Halts Turner’s Shot, OSU’s Run By ADAM JARDY Tennessee 76, Ohio State 73 Buckeye Sports Bulletin Staff Writer March 26, 2010 Edward Jones Dome; St. Louis, Mo. For the second consecutive year, Ohio Tennessee Total FG FT Rebs. (28-8) Min. M-A M-A Off.-Def. A PF Pts. State’s season ended with Evan Turner staring Chism 35 9-16 3-4 5-6 1 1 22 blankly at the basket following a missed shot. Williams 32 4-5 1-2 4-8 1 3 9 Maze 19 4-9 2-2 2-1 2 1 10 Last year, it was his spinning jumper at the Prince 31 6-13 2-3 2-0 6 3 14 buzzer that failed to send the Buckeyes into a Hopson 23 1-5 1-1 2-2 1 3 3 Hall 4 0-1 0-0 1-0 0 1 0 third overtime against Siena in the first round Goins 22 2-8 0-0 1-0 4 3 4 of the NCAA Tournament. This year, both of Pearl 8 0-1 0-0 1-0 0 3 0 Tatum 14 3-4 3-3 0-0 0 1 11 Turner’s attempts to send OSU’s showdown Bone 12 1-2 0-0 0-1 0 1 3 with Tennessee into overtime came up empty Totals 200 30-64 12-15 20-21 15 20 76 and the Buckeyes ended their season March Percentages: FG: 46.9%. FT: 80.0%. 3-point goals: 26 in St. Louis with a 76-73 loss in the Sweet 4-15 (Chism 1-3, Maze 0-2, Hopson 0-3, Goins 0-2, Tatum 2-3, Bone 1-2). Team rebounds: 5. Blocked 16. shots: 3 (Chism, Prince, Pearl). Turnovers: 16 After the Volunteers pushed their lead to (Hopson 5, Chism 3, Prince 3, Williams 2, Maze, Pearl, TEAM). Steals: 6 (Prince 2, Maze, Goins, three points with a pair of free throws from Pearl, Tatum). guard Bobby Maze with 12.9 seconds remain- Ohio State Total FG FT Rebs. ing, Ohio State called timeout and prepared (29-8) Min. M-A M-A Off.-Def. A PF Pts. for one final push. Lighty 26 4-8 0-2 2-1 5 3 9 Bringing the ball up the court, Turner Buford 40 5-13 3-4 0-4 3 2 15 Lauderdale 29 1-1 0-2 2-4 1 2 2 found himself in the left corner with the Turner 40 10-23 9-9 4-3 5 4 31 clock winding under five seconds. His shot Diebler 40 1-8 0-0 0-0 0 2 3 Simmons 14 3-4 0-0 0-0 0 2 9 attempt was challenged by Tennessee for- Madsen 11 1-1 2-2 2-1 0 1 4 ward Wayne Chism and it drew only the Totals 200 25-58 14-19 13-16 14 16 73 front of the iron. Percentages: FG: 43.1%. FT: 73.7%. 3-point goals: 9-23 (Lighty 1-3, Buford 2-5, Turner 2-4, Diebler 1-7, The OSU junior guard then knifed into the Simmons 3-4). Team rebounds: 6. Blocked shots: lane and came up with the offensive 3 (Lighty, Turner, Madsen). Turnovers: 11 (Turner 6, Lighty 2, Lauderdale, Simmons, Madsen). Steals: 6 – his team-leading seventh board of the game. (Lighty 2, Buford 2, Turner, Diebler). Seeing junior teammate Jon Diebler spotting Halftime: Ohio State 42, Tennessee 39. Officials: up near the top of the circle, Turner opted not Kitts, Kersey, Daily. A: N/A. to risk the pass and instead dribbled to the half. He tallied 18 in the final 20 minutes and same area himself. SONNY BROCKWAY recorded a team-high five offensive rebounds As the clock ticked off its final second, as the Buckeyes had no answer for his play in Turner turned and fired one last time, but PULLING HIS WEIGHT – Ohio State sophomore William Buford (44) scored 15 points during his team’s 76-73 loss to Tennessee. Buford and junior standout Evan the paint. Tennessee guard J.P. Prince landed his out- “I started to put the ball higher off the stretched left hand on the ball. Replays later Turner combined for 46 of the Buckeyes’ 73 points. glass,” Chism said of his second-half perfor- showed that it was a clean , but the result ways, but the call didn’t happen … so you made it a 73-72 OSU lead with 42 seconds mance. “In the first half, I was putting it up was Turner landing on his backside on the can’t really dwell on it anymore. left. The basket gave him 31 points for the soft and coming up short. I had to adjust the court at the Edward Jones Dome. “It shouldn’t have come down to that cer- game, 21 of which had come in the second way I shot the ball in the second half, and I did Seated upright with his legs spread out in tain situation. We could have helped ourselves half. a great job of finishing.” front of him, Turner looked incredulously at from putting ourselves in that predicament.” “He played great,” junior center Dallas Volunteers head coach Bruce Pearl then the basket while the Volunteers celebrated Diebler, who struggled with a 1-for-8 Lauderdale said. “He played an excellent interjected: “He sure did.” their first trip to the Elite Eight in school his- shooting performance in the game, said he game (but) we didn’t have his back. This is a OSU played the majority of the first half tory behind him. After a moment or two, the was fine with Turner taking the final shot. team game.” without one of its key players. Junior forward Buckeye All-American picked himself off “You want the ball in the hands of your Tennessee answered on its ensuing pos- David Lighty picked up his second foul at the the floor and headed immediately to the OSU best player,” he said. “He is the best player session when Brian Williams tipped in a 13:43 mark and immediately headed to the locker room without a second glance. in the country. We will deal with having the Prince miss, making it 74-73 with 32 seconds bench for the remainder of the half. Asked if he felt he was fouled on the final ball in the best player’s hands with 12 seconds remaining. In his place stepped seldom-used reserve attempt, Turner said, “They didn’t call it, so left.” Turner drove to the basket and attempted senior Jeremie Simmons, who had scored I guess it wasn’t a foul. It happens. The shot Less than a minute earlier, Turner had put a layup, but his shot banked off the glass and nine points in his previous seven appearances didn’t go in. A call could have gone both the Buckeyes on top with a three-pointer that then the rim before falling out. Senior center dating back to Valentine’s Day. Lighty’s Kyle Madsen came up with the offensive absence forced the Buckeyes to abandon their rebound, but his attempt to pass the ball out 1-3-1 zone defense, and the Vols immedi- SPECIAL ALUMNI RATE to Turner was stolen by Maze as head coach ately attacked Simmons and got him into foul Thad Matta was trying to call for a timeout. trouble as well. OF $119 PER NIGHT* The Buckeyes immediately fouled Maze, Although the senior picked up his sec- setting the final sequence of events in ond foul at the 12:22 mark, he remained in • Large two-room king bed suite with full size motion. the game in place of Lighty and ultimately sleeper sofa bed “As I told these guys, it’s tough because … provided a spark. Simmons hit three first- • Suite includes a mini refrigerator, microwave and it’s going to take time to understand exactly half three-pointers, the last of which gave what this team accomplished throughout the Ohio State a 40-37 lead with 1:22 until the coffee maker course of the season,” Matta said. “I couldn’t SUITES COLUMBUS break. • Conveniently located at Rt. 23 N and I-270 be prouder of what they did.” Asked if he had considered putting (Walking distance to game day Park and Ride) In addition to Turner’s performance, OSU Simmons into the game in the second half to • On-site Restaurant, Lounge, and In-Suite dining got 15 points from sophomore guard William try to again spark some offense, Matta replied, Buford. But they were the only two Buckeyes • Indoor/outdoor pool, whirlpool and Fitness Center “I did. I just didn’t go with it.” in double figures. After going 11 for 22 from The Buckeyes opened the game on an 11-4 • On-Site Business Center and HiSpeed Access three-point range in the first two games of the run, and after a Tennessee trey and a Buford • Walking distance to many restaurants, bars, tournament, Diebler made only 1 of 7 long- basket it was a 13-7 OSU lead with 16:00 and movies range shots against the Vols and tied a season remaining. The sophomore had the hot hand * based on availability low with three points. early, scoring his team’s first five points and “I didn’t help the team,” he said. “My job nine of OSU’s first 13. He finished the half is to make shots and I didn’t make shots.” with a team-high 12 points. CALL US TO RESERVE YOUR ROOM TODAY The Buckeyes led by as many as five From there, the Volunteers settled down points in the second half as they relied almost and put together a 10-0 run during the next 888-627-7038 • 614-436-0004 exclusively on Turner to carry the mail. He four minutes that gave them their first lead scored his team’s first 14 points in the half, since the first possession of the game. 201 Hutchinson Ave. • Columbus, OH 43235 the last of which made it 56-51 in favor of his A Simmons trey broke the streak and made team with 10:00 remaining in the game. it 17-16 in favor of the Vols with 11:39 to go. www.sheraton.com/suitescolumbus Meanwhile, Tennessee countered with He would hit another at the 9:54 mark to give Chism, who had only four points in the first the Buckeyes a short-lived 19-18 lead that was 8 • BUCKEYE SPORTS BULLETIN April 3, 2010 www.BuckeyeSports.com Originally Published: April 3, 2010 OHIO STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL erased on Tennessee’s ensuing possession by action against the Buckeyes with Chism earn- tory against Illinois, Diebler was charged with Life is measured a trey from Chism. ing a team-high 35 minutes of playing time. sticking with point guard Demetri McCamey OSU would then tie the game six times “Sure, kids would like to play more min- as he attempted to come up with the game- in moments... before a Buford three-pointer with 3:03 utes,” Pearl said. “Of course they would. They winning shot in regulation. remaining made it 35-32 in favor of the want to be on the floor. They don’t want to To get to that point, Richardson said Make every Buckeyes. Tennessee would tie it at 37, but sit on the bench, so I’ve got to constantly sell Diebler had to be able to get his body in posi- the Buckeyes got Simmons’ third trey and a the concept of playing nine or 10 guys. We all tion to play defense. Matta said it was a weak- moment jumper from Turner to push their lead to five have five or six guys that are better than the ness in Diebler’s game out of high school but points with 22 seconds left. other three or four (but) in order to develop added he had other strengths that helped offset Maze slashed to the basket and connected talent and in order to develop your bench, his lack of flexibility. count. just before the buzzer to set the halftime score you’ve got to play them (all).” “Jon couldn’t move laterally,” the OSU at 42-39. coach said. “But to his credit he’s done a great The Vols used 10 players in the first half, Flex Credit For Diebler job of working at it. Before every practice he each of whom saw at least four minutes of His performance against Tennessee not- goes over and does the exercises that we’ve Whether it was raising our action. In contrast, the Buckeyes used seven withstanding, Diebler has come a long way given him. It’s been amazing watching his players – a fact necessitated by Lighty’s foul from the freshman whose shooting struggles lateral quickness – his hip flexors as they call family, pursuing careers or giving trouble. threatened to overwhelm him. As it turns them – get better.” back to the community, we’ve There were 12 leads changes in the back- out, that was not the only aspect of his game Last summer, Richardson said he received and-forth contest, and the game was tied on that needed lots of work upon his arrival in a reminder of just how far Diebler has come. done our best to make every 12 occasions. Columbus. “I watched a pickup game one day dur- moment of our lives count. The The Upper Sandusky, Ohio, star – who is ing the summer when he got switched off same is true now. That’s why we Was It Fatigue? the state’s all-time leading high school scorer and was guarding ,” the OSU All season long, Matta defended his deci- – found himself far behind his teammates strength coach said. “As quick as Scoonie is, chose a Brookdale community sion to use a short bench by saying his players from a flexibility standpoint upon his arrival Jon stayed in front of him. He’s come a long for our retirement. Our days were conditioned enough to handle going the in Columbus. way.” distance on a near-nightly basis. Asked where Diebler ranked among all begin and end in a spacious That lack of depth may have finally caught the players he has worked with in his 20-plus Tournament Quotables apartment home. But in between up with the Buckeyes against the Volunteers. years as a strength coach, associate strength • Prince on if he was worried about being Tennessee drove to the basket more effective- and conditioning coach Dave Richardson called for a foul on Turner’s final shot: “I there are endless opportunities ly than any OSU opponent this season, and for replied, “One of the worst. A lot of athletes didn’t really think about it. You’ve got to to do the things that matter most that Pearl credited his team’s deep bench. that we see come into college from high contest the shot. I knew he was going to flail. “We talked about our team vs. their top school have a lot of problems with what we That’s going to happen anytime at the end to us, like travel, fitness, hobbies six or seven guys,” the Tennessee head coach call their hip mobility – their ability to stay in of the game. I had a clean block. I used my and enjoying the company of said. “In the intensity of this game, I thought a stance, stay in a squat. It’s not just muscular length and had to make a play.” fatigue was a factor in the second half. We flexibility. It’s about the joint mobility. We • Buford on shooting with a defender in friends and family. dominated the boards in the second half.” had to do some work with him.” his face: “I’m not going to change my game The Vols grabbed 24 of their 41 rebounds Diebler has had to continually engage for any team. I’m just going to try to play my Come see how our community can in the final stanza and scored 28 of their 50 in extra stretching and workouts with both game and if I feel that I can make the shot points in the paint during that stretch as well. Richardson and athletic trainer Vince – which is every shot that I take – then I’m help you make the most of your Ohio State finished with 29 rebounds for the O’Brien. going to take it.” life. It’ll only take a moment. game, only 14 of which came after intermis- “I always knew I wasn’t flexible but I • Matta on being the favorite in the region sion. didn’t know it played such an important role after top seed Kansas was upset by Northern The Buckeyes struggled offensively as in basketball,” Diebler said. “Think about it: Iowa: “Everyone was picking Kansas to win well. After shooting 55.6 percent (15 for 27) Your hips are so bad you can only stay in a and they’re no longer in this thing. I think CALL (614) 734-1000 in the first half, OSU went 10 for 31 (32.3 defensive stance for so long.” that’s a wake-up call. The people that pick, FOR A PERSONAL TOUR percent) in the second. Tennessee, meanwhile, To improve in that category, the junior they don’t play. We have to be the ones that was 15 for 33 (45.5 percent) in the first half guard has engaged in extra stretching and has get the job done.” OR MORE INFORMATION. and 15 for 31 (48.4 percent) in the second. undergone frequent foam rolls – a foam pad • Matta on Chism: “(He reminds me of Asked about the discrepancy in shooting that helps stretch the muscles in his hips. Michigan State forward) Raymar Morgan. between the halves for his team, Turner said, “It’s like anything else. Some people are Maybe he steps out and shoots the three a “Shots didn’t fall.” naturally more fluid than others and some little bit more. In some regards, Chism is like a Bring this ad with you for a The Buckeyes denied that weariness played people are naturally more muscularly tight,” (of Purdue) with his size and tour and choose a gift from a factor in their performance. Richardson said. “Some people are really what he’s capable of doing, driving the bas- “Fatigue never crossed my mind,” Matta flexible without training. Everybody is a little ketball and shooting from the outside. There’s our Buckeye Treasure Chest! said. “At one point I think we played 30 sec- bit different but you have to find out what their a post-up element to his game. Obviously he’s onds and sat there for five minute (in timeouts) weak spots are and get them better at it.” a little more athletic than Robbie, but there in the second half. I think that so many people In Diebler’s case, the weak spot was his are some comparisons to what they do stat- with the fatigue issue … the people that prob- flexibility. That in turn affected his ability to wise.” ably say that are overweight and eat bad food. guard Division I basketball players. • Pearl on Turner: “Offensively, I think These guys are conditioned to roll.” During the 2007-08 season, Matta aban- Turner is a better point guard than Michael Matta was asked about his short bench one doned his patented man-to-man defense for Conley. Michael Conley was a great player as day before the game and said he figured most a much-despised zone for the first time in a freshman, but Turner as a junior playing the players in the country would prefer to play 40 his coaching career. Looking back, Diebler same position, I think he’s harder to match up minutes a game. That comment found its way said he was the weak point at that end of the with.” to the Tennessee locker room and provided court. • Matta’s response: “I think that there’s Independent Living some bulletin board material once the mes- “That’s probably why we were playing two ways to look at it. One would be from the Personalized Assisted Living sage was changed a little by Pearl during a zone,” he said. “My defense was pretty bad. standpoint of Evan does so many more things pregame film session. I’m not the most flexible person, so for me to with his rebounding and his size. I think that’s 3500 Trillium Crossing “I don’t remember exactly what Coach stay in a stance for a long period of time was a huge advantage, but they are the complete Columbus, Ohio 43235 Matta said, but something around the lines a struggle.” antithesis of each other. I saw the last two that we wish we were at Ohio State playing Throughout that season, Diebler also strug- minutes of our overtime game with Xavier 40 minutes,” Prince said. “That’s not true. gled to connect from the three-point range as the other night and I’ll tell you this: Michael As a team, we all get tired. We all need help. well. He shot 28.9 percent (48 for 166) from Conley was one hell of a point guard. He and 02007-ROP03-0808 We knew that their six wouldn’t be able to behind the arc and lost his starting spot eight Evan are completely different. You can’t even run with us the whole game because we had games into the season. draw a comparison.” more depth. Diebler has since admitted to feeling plen- • Chism, on the difference between this “You could tell they were tired the second ty of stress that season, but Richardson said it OSU team and the one he faced in 2007: half. Their legs weren’t all there and their never came across at the time. “They’re playing four guards and one center. shots didn’t fall the same as in the first half “I’m sure it probably was on his mind,” he Three years ago, they had the best center in when they were fresh.” said. “Now he’ll tell you that it was, but he the nation (in Greg Oden) and the best point Against the Vols, Turner, Diebler and never really showed it. I think he just tried to guard (in Conley).” Buford each went the distance. For the sea- find other ways to help the team win.” • Matta on coaching: “Young coaches son, that trio and Lighty averaged at least The Big Ten tournament showed proof of ask me all the time about how you get to the 34.4 minutes per game. Diebler led the way his progress. With the score tied at 66 in the Ohio States of the world and I tell them I’m in minutes played with 1,375 – an average of final seconds March 12 against Michigan, it the luckiest guy in the world. I’ve coached 37.2 per contest. was Diebler who was matched up with U-M at three programs and all three (were) in the Eight Volunteers saw at least 12 minutes of guard . One day later in a vic- Sweet 16. I’ve been in great situations.” www.brookdaleliving.com www.BuckeyeSports.com BUCKEYE SPORTS BULLETIN April 3, 2010 • 9 Originally Published: April 3, 2010

OHIO STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL UCSB, Ga. Tech No Match For Buckeyes was quitting and I could tell when he didn’t valuable player in the game, Matta had By ADAM JARDY want to run anymore. I could tell because I praise for the native. Ohio State 75, Georgia Tech 66 Buckeye Sports Bulletin Staff Writer was in his position, but he has a very bright “He’s the best defender in college bas- March 21, 2010 future.” ketball,” the coach said. “He can guard any Bradley Center; Milwaukee In one play, Thad Matta saw the perfect The final outcome seemed all but assured position on the floor, and his thing was he did Georgia Tech Total FG FT Rebs. (23-13) Min. M-A M-A Off.-Def. A PF Pts. analogy for what he thinks of this Ohio State a few minutes into the second half, but the a great job of showing his hands and moving Favors 24 4-8 2-3 4-0 0 5 10 team. Yellow Jackets (23-13) mounted one last around. We show him on tape what to do and Lawal 21 4-5 3-4 0-4 0 4 11 Shumpert 39 3-11 0-0 2-6 5 3 7 The Buckeyes were clinging to a six- charge in the final five minutes. After a what not to do and he picks it up.” Bell 20 3-7 0-0 1-1 1 1 6 point lead with a little more than a minute three-pointer from junior Jon Diebler made From hitting the free throws late in the Rice 25 2-6 6-9 1-2 2 4 10 Udofia 6 1-2 0-0 1-0 0 1 2 remaining in their March 21 contest against it 65-50 in favor of OSU at the 4:56 mark, game after a physical foul to frustrating big- Miller 15 0-4 2-2 0-2 3 2 2 Georgia Tech in the second round of the Georgia Tech forced a pair of turnovers ger opponents, Matta said Lighty is proving Oliver 16 3-9 0-0 0-1 1 2 9 Sheehan 2 1-1 1-1 0-0 0 0 3 NCAA Tournament, and the ball was in and turned them into five quick points to to be a special player. Peacock 32 3-5 0-0 3-3 2 2 6 junior guard Evan Turner’s hands. Streaking whittle it down to a 10-point deficit with “That’s why I’ve said this all along,” the Totals 200 24-58 14-19 12-21 14 24 66 up the court, he dished to junior forward 3:22 remaining. coach said. “He’ll go down as one of the all- Percentages: FG: 41.4%. FT: 73.7%. 3-point David Lighty, who had his eyes on the rim as It was the start of an 11-0 run capped by time great Ohio State players.” goals: 4-20 (Shumpert 1-5, Rice 0-3, Miller 0- 2, Oliver 3-9, Peacock 0-1). Team rebounds: 2. he slashed to the basket from the left wing. a three-point play from Favors, who made Blocked shots: None. Turnovers: 21 (Lawal 4, The pass was crisp, but as he went up it 65-61 with 1:47 left. However, Turner UC Santa Barbara, March 19 Miller 4, Oliver 4, Shumpert 3, Favors 2, Rice 2, Bell, Peacock). Steals: 12 (Shumpert 4, Rice 2, Peacock for the dunk Lighty was viciously fouled by tossed in a pair of free throws to push it back The 15th-seeded Gauchos did the best job 2, Favors, Bell, Udofia, Miller). freshman swingman Brian Oliver. With the to a six-point lead and Georgia Tech got no of anyone all season stopping Turner, but ball flying out of Lighty’s hands, the junior Ohio State Total FG FT Rebs. closer than five points the rest of the way. it still was not enough to help them upset (29-7) Min. M-A M-A Off.-Def. A PF Pts. forward was sent sprawling to the court. “Our defense was the real key for us,” Ohio State. Lighty 36 5-8 6-7 0-3 3 4 18 Connecting with the hardwood under the Lauderdale 31 2-2 0-2 1-3 0 3 4 Lighty said. “Then on the offensive end we The junior guard was held to nine points Turner 40 8-19 7-9 3-6 9 1 24 basket, he rolled twice before coming to rest got them in foul trouble because we knew on 2-of-13 shooting, but big nights from Diebler 40 6-12 4-4 0-2 2 4 20 face down on the baseline. Buford 40 4-9 0-1 2-6 3 2 9 they were going to have to guard us. We just Diebler and Lauderdale helped propel the Simmons 4 0-1 0-0 0-1 0 1 0 After a second, Lighty stood up and attacked them and got them in Buckeyes to a 68-51 victory. Madsen 9 0-0 0-0 1-0 0 2 0 walked to halfcourt in noticeable discomfort foul trouble early.” “When we see him having Totals 200 25-51 17-23 7-22 17 17 75 as he attempted to catch his breath. Oliver In the first half, it was mostly a game like that, we all want Percentages: FG: 49.0%. FT: 73.9%. 3-point goals: 8-21 (Lighty 2-4, Turner 1-3, Diebler 4-10, was whistled for an intentional foul, and the the Turner show for the Buckeyes to step it up,” Buford said of Buford 1-3, Simmons 0-1). Team rebounds: 1. OSU junior had two free throws to make. as the junior All-American put Turner’s struggles. “We’ve got Blocked shots: 3 (Lauderdale 3). Turnovers: 18 Once he had his wits about him, Lighty (Turner 9, Buford 5, Diebler 2, Lighty, Lauderdale). up 14 points. In the second half, prolific scorers on this team. Steals: 8 (Turner 3, Diebler 2, Lighty, Buford, stepped to the line and hit both free throws it was more of a team effort but Any person can be hot on any Madsen). to push his team’s lead to 69-61 with 1:13 Halftime: Ohio State 28, Georgia Tech 26. Officials: Diebler led the charge. night. We knew we had to step Shaw O’Neill, Dorsey. A: 18,031. remaining. After going 0 for 3 from it up.” It was that sequence that caught Matta’s behind the three-point arc in the Showing no ill effects from a eye and allowed him to draw a parallel first half, Diebler knocked down virus that had his status for the Ohio State 68, UC Santa Barbara 51 between the play and what he feels his team four second-half triples and game in doubt, Diebler went the March 19, 2010 is about. scored 17 of his 20 points after distance and hit on seven three- Bradley Center; Milwaukee “I think the intentional foul probably Jon Diebler UCSB Total FG FT Rebs. the break. However, in looking pointers to finish with a game- (20-10) Min. M-A M-A Off.-Def. A PF Pts. epitomizes David and this basketball team at the difference between the two halves, high 23 points in the victory. Serna 20 1-3 0-0 0-2 0 3 2 the most,” the OSU coach said. “He got Nunnally 29 2-10 0-0 1-3 1 2 4 Turner said it was all about the Buckeyes “I felt better today,” he said. “I was Weiner 13 1-2 0-0 0-0 1 0 3 knocked to the ground, sat there for a sec- forcing their style of play on the Yellow finally able to eat. I got a lot of my energy W.Brew 17 0-4 1-2 1-1 5 3 1 ond, picked himself up, looked around, Jackets. back. I got tired during the game but I think Johnson 33 8-17 2-2 2-3 2 1 20 C.Brew 1 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 never lost his composure, stepped up and “I just think (the offense) was effective for the most part I was all right.” Roemer 11 0-2 0-0 0-0 0 2 0 made both free throws and then went back because we had control of the game,” he Matta quipped that it was a 24-hour bug Joyner 13 0-1 0-0 0-3 1 2 0 Phippen 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 down and had a great defensive possession. said. “In the first half, they sped us up and that took Diebler 72 hours to shake. Devenny 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 “That’s hopefully who this team is.” had control of the game, but once we got the “Honestly, he could lose his right arm Pastorek 13 2-4 0-0 2-2 0 1 4 Powell 27 4-11 0-0 0-4 1 1 11 The Buckeyes (29-7) advanced to the control back everything was fine.” and he wouldn’t tell me he was injured,” Somogyi 19 2-7 2-3 2-4 0 1 6 Sweet 16 for the first time since 2007 by After shooting 34.6 percent (9 for 26) the coach said. “(That’s) just sort of who Totals 200 20-62 5-7 12-23 11 16 51 defeating UC Santa Barbara in the opening in the first half, OSU was 16 for 25 (64.0 he is.” Percentages: FG: 32.3%. FT: 71.4%. 3-point round and then dispatching Georgia Tech percent) in the second. The Buckeyes also The Buckeyes seized control early against goals: 6-19 (Nunnally 0-2, Weiner 1-2, W.Brew 0-2, Johnson 2-5, Joyner 0-1, Powell 3-7). Team in games played at Milwaukee’s Bradley assisted on 17 of their 25 field goals. the Gauchos (20-10) and withstood a coun- rebounds: 5. Blocked shots: 2 (Somogyi 2). Center. Turner finished with a game-high 24 terpunch that made it a one-point game near Turnovers: 9 (Nunnally 4, Johnson, Joyner, Pastorek, Powell, TEAM). Steals: 6 (Serna, Nunnally, W.Brew, What follows are recaps of those two points. Diebler was close behind with his the midway point of the first half. After Johnson, Roemer, Joyner). contests as well as other notes from the first 20, while Lighty added 18. Turner also had racing out to a 13-3 lead at the 13:32 mark, two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Ohio State Total FG FT Rebs. nine assists and nine rebounds, coming close Ohio State went cold and UCSB rallied in (28-4) Min. M-A M-A Off.-Def. A PF Pts. to recording his third triple-double of the front of 17,580 fans who largely were root- Turner 37 2-13 5-6 1-9 5 3 9 Georgia Tech, March 21 season. ing for the upset. Lighty 40 3-11 2-2 3-1 6 2 9 Lauderdale 30 2-2 0-0 2-10 0 3 4 The Yellow Jackets entered the game Lighty’s performance included the afore- The Gauchos shook off a 1-for-10 perfor- Diebler 40 8-14 0-0 0-2 1 1 23 feeling they had a mismatch. The Buckeyes mentioned foul shots with about a minute mance from the field to open the game – dur- Buford 39 6-12 2-2 0-7 2 2 16 Hill 4 0-0 4-4 0-0 0 0 4 instead saw an advantage. remaining. Afterward, he said he had paid a ing which they also committed four fouls Madsen 10 0-0 3-4 1-0 0 1 3 With Georgia Tech starting two post price for the points. and two turnovers – to put together a 9-0 run Totals 200 21-52 16-18 8-30 14 12 68 players listed at 6-9 or taller, OSU countered “I landed on my back, my ribs, my shoul- that made it 13-12 with 8:47 remaining. Percentages: FG: 40.4%. FT: 88.9%. 3-point with 6-8 junior center Dallas Lauderdale goals: 10-22 (Turner 0-2, Lighty 1-4, Diebler 7- der,” Lighty said, “but I’m used to it. I’ve The teams would trade foul shots before 12, Buford 2-4). Team rebounds: 2. Blocked and the 6-5 Lighty to maintain order in the played football before.” Diebler hit on a runner along the right base- shots: 12 (Lauderdale 8, Madsen 2, Lighty, Buford). paint. It worked for the higher seed, as the Turnovers: 9 (Turner 4, Lighty 2, Lauderdale, Turner was the primary offensive weapon line that pushed his team’s lead to 16-13. Diebler, Buford). Steals: 5 (Lauderdale 2, Turner, quicker and more athletic Buckeyes got their in the first half, taking 15 of his team’s 26 That was the beginning of a 13-0 run during Lighty, Madsen). Georgia Tech counterparts in foul trouble Halftime: Ohio State 30, UC Santa Barbara 17. shots. Lighty, sophomore guard William which all but two points came courtesy of Officials: Valentine, Mayborg, Ridenhour. A: 17,580. early and held on down the stretch for a 75- Buford and Diebler were a combined 2 for Diebler. 66 victory. 10, with Lighty coming up with both field The school’s all-time leading three-point rebounds and eight blocks in 30 minutes ACC Rookie of the Year goals. shooter proved his worth by hitting on three of action. eventually fouled out with 10 points – all in The Buckeyes fell behind by eight points consecutive threes to close out the run with “Coach sort of held my head under the second half – and the 6-10 freshman did early as the Yellow Jackets came out of the the Buckeyes holding a 27-13 advantage water last night,” he said. “We had a little not even get off a shot in the first 20 min- gate with a 10-2 lead at the 13:44 mark. with 3:35 remaining. conversation. I had to come out and get the utes. Meanwhile, 6-9 junior forward Gani After trading baskets for four straight pos- Ohio State increased its lead to 30-17 job done or he would have been down my Lawal played with foul trouble all game and sessions, it was still an eight-point Georgia by halftime, but the Gauchos showed some throat.” finished with a team-high 11 points in 21 Tech lead at 14-6 with 12:01 remaining semblance of life with a 5-0 run to open Even with the 18-point victory, Turner minutes. before Ohio State mounted a comeback. the second half. The Buckeyes responded was visibly frustrated and told reporters after Lauderdale said he was able to use his A Turner layup gave the Buckeyes their with a 12-5 run to push their lead back to the game that he did not agree with the way experience against Favors. first lead at 18-16 with 7:28 to go before the 15 points and it never dipped below double it was officiated. “It’s a weird feeling because I could half, and that two-point edge held up until digits again. “They just held,” he said. “That was it. It just tell (he was a freshman),” Lauderdale intermission, with Ohio State going into the When Diebler was not scoring, was just a different type of game. Dave said said. “I could tell at times he just quit. If I locker room leading 28-26. Lauderdale was doing everything else. in the NCAA it’s a different type of game was fighting him in the post, I could tell he After naming Lighty the team’s most The junior center set career highs with 12 and they’re not going to call much. They

10 • BUCKEYE SPORTS BULLETIN April 3, 2010 www.BuckeyeSports.com Originally Published: April 3, 2010 OHIO STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL really focused on me but my teammates hit the Gauchos defended him, Turner repeated press that saw two defenders hounding “These kids seem to play really with- shots.” his displeasure with the way the game was Turner’s every step as he attempted to in themselves and really well together,” called. bring the ball up the court. It was instru- Williams said. “(I’m impressed with) how Diebler Battles Illness “There’s not too much you can learn mental in keeping OSU off the scoreboard versatile those four guards are in terms of Whether Diebler would be healthy besides on to the next one,” he said. “I’m early. their ability to rebound and defend, but they enough to suit up against the Gauchos was sure they’ll call the game differently. I just “They just tried to really be physical with all handle it, they all pass it and they all in doubt leading up to the game. The junior think they let the game go. That was it. me,” Turner said. “That was it.” shoot it. guard was the latest Buckeye to come down Honestly, I can’t picture another game being “I’ve got to think it’s a coach’s dream to with a virus that had struck the team at the called like that.” The Rest Of The Story coach (that team).” tail end of the Big Ten tournament the week His nine points in the game marked his Before the Buckeyes took on UC Santa before. lowest output since an eight-point effort Barbara, Matta met with Lauderdale in the Potent Quotables “I haven’t had the flu in I don’t know against Indiana on Jan. 6. That was his hallway outside his hotel room and offered • Williams on what it was like watching how long,” he said in the team’s locker return game after missing six contests fol- him some words of encouragement. As the tape of Turner: “A little bit like going to a room. “I just caught it. It’s going around lowing the back injury he suffered Dec. 5. center recalled, the message was along the horror movie.” the team.” After the game, Santa Barbara guard lines of, “If you don’t start playing better, • Turner on what therapy he does for Diebler said he had to leave OSU’s James Nunnally – one of the Gauchos who I’m going to step on your neck.” his back: “I just cold tub and that’s pretty practice one day before the UCSB game defended Turner – said he would not vote One day later, Matta was asked about much it. I was fortunate enough with the after only 15 minutes because he had to for the Buckeye for player of the year if he the exchange between the two. As it turns spot I landed on that once it healed, I’ll throw up. had a vote. out, there was a little more to the story than never know I hurt my back. At Iowa, this The virus first struck when seniors “He’s probably the runner-up for Lauderdale had initially let on. guy came up and told me he hurt his L4 Jeremie Simmons and P.J. Hill started to national player of the year,” Nunnally said. “I had been on him all week,” the coach and L5 (vertebrae) – I hurt my L2 and L3 feel its effects. Classmate Kyle Madsen “(Kentucky freshman) John Wall gets my said. “When we broke film Thursday night, – and he was telling me that he still wakes got sick on the team bus as the Buckeyes vote.” he left a scouting report in there, which kind up after he had surgery seven years ago in drove home from the Big Ten tournament in In watching tape of Turner, the Gauchos of pushed me over the edge. a lot of pain. I’m definitely really lucky I Indianapolis, and Madsen later said he lost decided to try to force him to move the ball “And so I took it to his room and I basi- didn’t land on a higher part of my back. eight pounds as a result of the illness. around instead of allowing him to dribble cally said, ‘I don’t believe that your mind I’m blessed.” Diebler was the team’s most high-profile freely. That focus, combined with their zone is ready to go if you can’t carry 10 pieces • Turner after being featured on one of player to come down with the virus. The defense, allowed UCSB to take Ohio State’s of paper upstairs. Therefore, we’ll find six regional covers for team leader in minutes played this season, top offensive threat out of the game. out tomorrow night at 9:30 whether you’re March Madness: “I’m the type of kid (that he sat third on the team in scoring with “We knew if he got in the paint, he ready to go or not.’ And he was. To his believes) you make your own destiny (and) 13.3 points per game following the first two was going to kill us,” said junior guard credit, he did a good job responding.” will yourself into the situation. I’m not wor- rounds of the NCAA Tournament. He also Justin Joyner, who also guarded Turner When told that Matta had related the rying about the (SI cover) jinx but worrying became the school’s all-time most prolific extensively. “We wanted to make sure we whole story, Lauderdale laughed. about what my teammates and I have been three-point shooter during the conference contested all his shots. We weren’t really “I didn’t know if he wanted me to say doing, which is playing Ohio State basket- tournament. worried about his three-point shooting, anything,” the junior center said. “If he says ball.” After getting sick March 16, Diebler but we knew if he got in the paint, it was something, then OK.” • Buford on if he feels he has become said he had been able to keep down little all over.” a more well-rounded player this season: solid food. Turner said he was not frustrated, but Meet ‘The Quads’ “Absolutely. People will think what they “I had a little bit,” he said March 18. his counterparts on the other bench begged One day before his team’s game against want to think, but personally I think I have. “It’s weird because I feel so hungry because to differ. the Buckeyes, UCSB head coach Bob People just think I can shoot and score, I haven’t eaten much in the last couple “There were a couple of times when he’d Williams drew a historical parallel when but I can also do a lot of different other of days and I’ve got to get some energy, push people’s hands off or push us off him asked to describe them. things. Basically every game I guard one but then again I’m nervous about eating and we realized, ‘OK, he’s pretty frustrated “They have a team that reminds you a of the best scorers on the floor. I rebound something because I don’t want to throw right now,’ ” Joyner said. “It felt good, but at little bit – because of their guard play – of and pass the ball and work on the rest of up again.” the same time we were down by 12.” ‘the Triplets’ at Arkansas, except this is ‘the my game and hope everyone else can see While sick, Diebler jokingly said he did The Yellow Jackets were not as suc- Quads’ because they have four guards that that.” not receive much sympathy from his room- cessful as Turner was pressured into nine play all the time,” Williams said. • Lauderdale on what was different for mate Turner. turnovers but still led all scorers with 24 As the 1978 Razorbacks reached the him against Georgia Tech: “I felt like I was “I had no clue what was going on,” points. He continued to score despite being Final Four, they did so thanks to the play having more fun. I caught myself smiling on Turner said. “I thought it was his broth- constantly harassed by the Georgia Tech of three similar guards – Sidney Moncrief, the court.” er throwing up (because) his brother was defenders, who were content to run up their Marvin Delph and Ron Brewer. Each stood • Lighty on Madsen’s illness on the upstairs. When I’m sick, I don’t want a lot foul totals while relying on a deep bench to about 6-3. drive home after the Big Ten tournament: of people around me crowding. Then they provide enough fresh bodies to keep up the Turner, Buford, Lighty and Diebler each “When Kyle threw up, I was in the back. All told me to stay away from him.” pursuit. range between 6-5 and 6-7 and entered the I heard was it splattering all over the floor. Diebler’s stamina was tested early on Early on, the strategy worked. tournament averaging at least 33.9 minutes It was quite nasty. The smell was horrible. against Santa Barbara. There was no time- Georgia Tech came out in a full-court per game. He threw up like five times.” out whistled until more than seven minutes had passed at the start of the game. “The biggest thing I’ve heard was, ‘Man, you should stay sick more often,’ ” he said after hitting seven three-pointers against the Gauchos. “I’m like, ‘No, that’s OK.’ “I knew the first four minutes were going to be the worst, and it ended up being about eight minutes so I was just dying. I was ready to foul somebody just to get a break.”

Turner Struggles For the first time this season, a healthy Turner experienced some tough going on the court. After having shot 54.0 percent (217 for 402) from the field entering the NCAA Tournament, the OSU junior combined to go 10 for 32 (31.3 percent) in the first two rounds of the tournament. In addition, he dished out 14 assists but was pressured into 13 turnovers in the process. Each team defended the Buckeye star differently, but there were a few similarities. The Gauchos doubled Turner up top before reverting to a zone down low if he was able to get through, while the Yellow Jackets stuck a man on him up and down the court for the majority of the game. Asked what he could learn about how www.BuckeyeSports.com BUCKEYE SPORTS BULLETIN April 3, 2010 • 11 Originally Published: April 3, 2010

COVER STORY: REMODELING, NOT REBUILDING, ON TAP Defense Has Handful Of Holes To Fill who lost a battle with Spitler for one of two Sweat, a junior whose status is unclear as he Continued From Page 1 open spots in the lineup last season. continues to recover from surgery to repair before that. His one campaign in the start- That came as a surprise to some given an ACL injury suffered midway through last ing lineup saw him play a key role in the the recruiting pedigrees of the pair. Spitler season. Buckeyes’ base defense as he was asked to entered Ohio State as a three-star prospect in While the depth at linebacker is enviable, stop the run, rush the passer and contend with 2005 while Sabino was a five-star three years the defensive line will be missing five play- opposing tight ends as the team’s strongside later, but teammates and team insiders alike ers from a group of nine who played signifi- linebacker. indicate Sabino has grown noticeably as a cant minutes last season. One of three players voted captain by his player in the past year. Gibson opted to skip his final year of teammates, Spitler finished with 38 tackles, “Etienne always wants to be perfect, but college eligibility while Worthington, Todd including five for loss, and former team- he’s doing a great job of just doing what he Denlinger, Robert Rose and Lawrence mate Brian Rolle agreed when a reporter has to do and not taking everything so liter- Wilson all exhausted theirs. Even so, a solid suggested that Spitler’s contributions were ally and just playing within himself,” said corps returns. underrated. Rolle, who compared the 6-3, 240-pounder The ringleader of the line figures to be “Most definitely. Most people don’t men- to former OSU linebacker Bobby Carpenter. senior Cameron Heyward, a starter since tion his name, but I think Austin was a great “A big, physical guy, a long guy, but he’s his freshman season who played both end player,” said Rolle, a senior linebacker who going be a great guy this year. He’s very and tackle last season and is likely to do so returns for his second season as a starter. physical – most people don’t know that – and again. “I tell Austin every time I see him he was he’s a good kid. “Cam is a huge, huge asset to us to come probably one of the best leaders on our team “He’s always in the film room, probably back,” Homan said. “If he would have left and most people didn’t hear about him. He more than I am, but he wants to be perfect for the NFL, I would have been all for his may not have had the stats to prove it, but and it’s kind of hard to teach him that you decision. But as soon as I talked to him and when he was on the field he was a guy who can’t be perfect all the time. I look forward he said he was coming back, I was just all was a difference-maker. If you look at the to playing next to him this year.” for that. JOSH WINSLOW Iowa game, he had a tackle for loss that took The other two linebacker spots feature “From a linebacker standpoint, you love READY TO TAKE NEXT STEP? them out of field-goal range and they had to returning starters in Rolle and classmate him because he was just destroying two guys Ross Homan, leaving a bevy of talented in front of you and that makes it easier for – Former five-star prospect Etienne go for it on fourth down.” Sabino (6) could be one of Ohio State’s Rolle’s specific example highlighted not youngsters to contend for backup spots in you. Cam has the ability to take over a game three starting linebackers in 2010. only what Spitler could do for the defense hopes of being able to contribute in part-time himself.” but also the contributions of two of his fellow roles or as fill-ins should someone suffer an First crack at backing up Heyward at In the secondary, is in the graduated seniors. injury. defensive end on the strong side of the experienced hands of seniors Chimdi Chekwa During the Nov. 14 contest that decid- The group behind the starters includes defense is expected to go to Keith Wells, a and Devon Torrence, but fresh faces must be ed the Big Ten championship, Spitler sophomores Storm Klein and Jonathan third-year player with three years of eligibil- found at safety. threw Iowa running back Adam Robinson Newsome, redshirt freshmen Dorian Bell ity remaining. He took a redshirt in 2009 Senior Jermale Hines, who started seven for a 6-yard loss on second down of the and Jordan Whiting and senior walk-on Tony because of the wealth of experienced players games at safety and spent the whole season Hawkeyes’ one offensive overtime posses- Jackson. in front of him on the depth chart. as the star in the team’s nickel defense, looks sion. Worthington followed that with a 10- “That’s actually great,” said Rolle, who At the other end spot, Gibson’s heir like a given to take one of those positions yard sack that knocked Iowa out of field-goal had to wait behind three-year starters James apparent is junior Nathan Williams, a 6-3, while the other appears wide open as spring range and forced a desperation pass that Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman before earn- 260-pounder with 5½ sacks and 12 tackles practice dawns. Russell intercepted on fourth down. ing his shot at a starting role last season. for loss while backing up Gibson the past Conventional wisdom has Orhian Johnson Three plays later, the Buckeyes won on a “It’s going to make us all the better. two seasons. Junior Solomon Thomas, one as the front-runner to start alongside Hines 41-yard by Devin Barclay, clinch- We’ve got guys that are coming in to push of the stars of spring practice in 2009, and since the sophomore was the fourth man in ing a share of the Big Ten title and a bid to us to do better (and) that’s going to be great redshirt freshman Melvin Fellows will have the rotation behind Coleman, Russell and the Rose Bowl in the process. for us. That means if we have guys go down, something to say about who gets the most Hines last season, but there is no shortage of “Things like that were overlooked by peo- we’re not going to miss a beat. Somebody playing time at that spot as well. players hoping to horn in on the action. ple who looked at our defense,” Rolle said. else will jump in, so I give the coaches all Inside, senior Dexter Larimore returns for That group includes junior Nate Oliver, Rolle, who finished second on the team the glory for going out and getting these one more go-round while sophomores John sophomores Zach Domicone and C.J. Barnett with 95 tackles last season, suggested the four- and five-star linebackers to come in and Simon and Garrett Goebel and redshirt fresh- and redshirt freshman Jamie Wood. first player to get a shot at replacing Spitler challenge us for our jobs.” man Adam Bellamy compete for the other There are also two wild cards in the safety will be Etienne Sabino, a junior from Florida Also potentially in the mix is Andrew tackle spot. mix as seniors Aaron Gant and Tyler Moeller each hope to distance themselves from the health problems that robbed them of any Offensive Players On The Spot playing time last year. Gant suffers from arthritis related to a pair • Terrelle Pryor, quarterback – Heading into season of high school, Berry needs this spring of knee surgeries performed last year, but he his third season as the starter, Pryor is seeking to prove his durability as well as showcase his is hoping to be full-go. Meanwhile, Moeller to build upon a superlative Rose Bowl perfor- much-talked-about acceleration and speed. continues to recover from the effects of a mance. There appears to be little question the • Taurian Washington, receiver – head injury suffered last August that prompt- 6-6, 233-pound junior has every athletic tool nec- Sometimes all anyone needs to succeed is a ed emergency brain surgery and wiped out essary to become a candidate. second chance, and Washington is eager to take his 2009 season. He has been cleared for all What we’re looking for is leadership. Springtime advantage of his. After dropping a couple of noncontact football activities for spring ball. is when leaders make themselves known to their passes in the season opener against Navy, the “Anderson and Kurt were starters for a teammates, and we’re eager to see Pryor begin 6-1, 181-pounder fell so far down the depth chart long time, which means there was somebody to do what did in 2006 – take the that he contemplated a transfer. Then came backing them up for a long time also so there reins of the team and make it his own. Rose Bowl suspensions to Ray Small and Duron are guys who are ready to step in,” Chekwa • – This spring Carter, and suddenly Washington was starting Mike Adams, left tackle said. “We’ve got a senior in Aaron Gant who could be a now-or-never proposition for the 6-8, Mike Adams against Oregon. He proved he was adept at down- has been here for a while and he’s going to 300-pounder. Adams, who is now in his junior season, field blocking and hopes to prove to the coaching staff that be able to step in. Orhian Johnson is ready to came to Ohio State two years ago as one of the most he can once again be reliable when it comes to catching step in. Jermale Hines has already been on sought-after high school offensive linemen in the country. the ball. the field and he’s going to start at safety for But a combination of injuries and other issues has con- • Jake Stoneburner, tight end – Every year we hear us. We’re expected to be good at safety.” spired to limit him to only 11 game appearances in two the same thing: This is going to be the year the Buckeyes At cornerback, the group battling for seasons. He looked to be a trimmer version of himself dur- better utilize their tight ends in the passing game – and spots in line behind Chekwa and Torrence ing winter conditioning workouts, and that could help as he then it never happens. Last year, for example, OSU tight includes junior Donnie Evege, sophomore seeks to solidify what could be one of Ohio State’s most ends combined for only 15 receptions. If anyone can Travis Howard and redshirt freshmen talented offensive lines in recent years. change that mentality, however, it could be Stoneburner. Dominic Clarke and Corey Brown. • – Berry is like the Christmas The 6-5, 245-pound sophomore had 168 career catches for Jaamal Berry, tailback “Travis had shoulder problems all season morning that never came. For much of the early part of 2,751 yards and 28 TDs at Dublin (Ohio) Coffman, mean- (last year) and he finally got surgery on his 2009, OSU fans were told the 5-10, 200-pound speedster ing he knows how to stretch defenses. Will Pryor’s mobil- shoulder, so he’ll be back and ready to go was the next great Buckeye running back. Unfortunately, ity and improved offensive line play allow Stoneburner to and ready to play,” Chekwa said. “The guys a nagging hamstring injury bothered Berry throughout the become the threat he was in high school? We’re eager to who redshirted, Clarke and Brown, are going season and he wound up redshirting. After wrist surgery find out. to be able to show what they can do this caused him to miss several games during his senior – Mark Rea spring.”

18 • BUCKEYE SPORTS BULLETIN April 3, 2010 www.BuckeyeSports.com Originally Published: April 3, 2010

COVER STORY: REMODELING, NOT REBUILDING, ON TAP Hoping For Rosy Carryover see what the 6-8, 300-pounder from Dublin, That leaves Hazell in search of a third Divvying up carries for seniors Dan The defenses at Ohio State have been so Ohio, can do when the pads are strapped option at receiver out of a group of can- “Boom” Herron and Brandon Saine, soph- good for so long, most fans seem to take for back on. didates consisting of seniors Taurian omores Jordan Hall and Jermil Martin, granted the quality of the next unit defensive “I feel Mike has always been a hard Washington and Grant Schwartz along with redshirt freshman Jaamal Berry and true coordinator will craft. worker on the field and studying as well,” redshirt freshmen Chris Fields and James freshman Carlos Hyde figures to be difficult Offense, on the other hand, is a seem- Browning said. “He just needs to keep doing Jackson. for position coach Dick Tressel, but that is ingly never-ending source of hand-wringing what he’s doing and come into spring ball Posey led Ohio State with 60 catches for among the best problems to have. for Buckeye fans from one corner of the ready to fight and play hard and go from 828 yards as a sophomore but admitted a Program observers are particularly state to the other. there.” desire to grow and mature this season. interested in seeing Berry. His first season That might not be the case after the per- The fourth man in the tackle battle is “I definitely want to improve every day, in Columbus was mostly scuttled by ham- formance Tressel’s troops turned in during Andrew Miller, a senior who lacked the get stronger, bigger and faster,” said the 6- string problems, but what small samples the 26-17 Rose Bowl victory, however. That recruiting buzz of the other three but showed 2, 200-pounder. “Improve my off-the-field observers saw of him when healthy or 419-yard explosion has fans dreaming of a himself to be a formidable foe for defensive smarts as far as being in the film room and close to it left the impression Berry pos- high-powered offense to go along with the linemen during spring practice last year. He being a leader. Dane, Taurian and I are the sesses a rare combination of shiftiness, traditionally tough defense. initially won the left tackle job in the fall older guys so we have to be the leaders now vision and speed. With nine starters returning, those fans only to be knocked out of the lineup by a (and) I want to do what I can to help the Spring practice observers will also be would seem to be justified in having high nasty bout with the flu early in the season. team. looking at two other offensive positions. expectations, but the offense is not without “I think it’s going to be great competi- “Individual goals and personal agendas Incumbent backup quarterback Joe its questions this spring. tion,” Browning said. “All the tackles are aren’t really part of our plan this season. I Bauserman, a junior, will be trying to keep Pryor’s ability to throw effectively is working hard for both tackle spots.” feel like that will slow us down, but we’re his job away from up-and-coming redshirt predicated not just on his ability to read Also on offensive coordinator and line trying to get accomplished as a team. We’re freshman Ken Guiton. Bauserman appeared defenses and deliver the ball but also having coach ’s to-do list this spring is not trying to get into rankings but we know in six games last season and completed 6 of time to do so. finding a backup for Brewster at center with- what we’re capable of and we want to fulfill 19 attempts for 124 yards. Helping plug some holes in the protec- out Cordle and dependable former walk-on our potential.” At fullback, sophomores Zach Boren tion and energize the running game late last Andrew Moses, who also graduated. Potential is a word thrown around rela- and Adam Homan return after receiving season was the re-emergence of Jim Cordle, Candidates for that role include redshirt tively often during conversations about the on-the-job training last season. Boren was a a senior who missed all or parts of five freshmen Jack Mewhort and Corey Linsley tight ends at Ohio State in recent seasons, major component of in the running game’s games. He returned in time to take part in along with senior walk-on Scott Sika. Fifth- too – as in this is potentially the year Tressel improvement late in the campaign, but both four strong performances for the offensive year seniors Connor Smith and Josh Kerr, and Bollman include the tight end as a sig- still have plenty of room to grow. line to close out the season. fourth-year junior Evan Blankenship and nificant part of the passing game. No Ohio State football story can be While NFL scouts are not beating down redshirt freshman Sam Longo will provide Such is the case again this season when complete without mention of special teams, Cordle’s door – he joked with reporters that offensive line depth. Jake Stoneburner returns to show the staff the pet project of the head coach of the a 5.3-second 40-yard dash at the team’s Should Pryor be afforded time to stand what he has learned about the position since Buckeyes, and Jim Tressel figures to have annual Pro Day was good for him – his tall in the pocket, he will need targets to being moved from prior to the some intrigue in the kicking game this calming influence on the offensive line late whom to throw. That group, like the young start of spring practice in 2009. spring as he surveys his options at kicker last season should not be discounted. tackles, does not lack talent but struggled at The Dublin, Ohio, native is listed at and punter. “He just was a hard worker on the field times last year. Replacing longtime stand- 6-5, 245, and is reputed to have the speed Barclay, who kicked the game-win- and off the field,” said returning right guard outs Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline to leave linebackers in the dust to go along ning field goal against Iowa, returns as a Bryant Browning. “He studied a lot of film proved more difficult than expected, but with the size to overpower defensive backs senior after closing the 2009 season as Ohio just so he would be able to tell the rest of there is optimism the growing pains are a down the middle of the field. State’s top placekicker, but sophomore Ben us maybe something he picked up on the thing of the past. He saw his minutes increase as the sea- Buchanan and early-enrolling true freshman defense that really helped us in the game. “Every year we’ve got the talent,” said son went on last year, a development that Drew Basil could have something to say His leadership and experience he was able senior receiver . “I don’t would seem to be an indication of growing about that as well. to share with us as well.” think that is ever the problem, but there is confidence in his ability as a blocker. With Buchanan seems the heir apparent at Browning, a senior from Cleveland always something new to find. I don’t think senior having used up his eligi- punter after the graduation of Jon Thoma. Glenville, figures to be a key cog of the even (wide receivers coach Darrell) Hazell bility, plenty of playing time is available for When the squad holds its annual kick offensive line this season, his second as a or anyone in the room knows what the Stoneburner while fellow sophomores Nic scrimmage, there figures to be no short- starter at guard and third in the starting line- receiving corps is going to look like once we DiLillo and Reid Fragel will hope to prove age of candidates for the kick and punt up. He moved inside last year after spending get to the fall, so we’ll find out a lot during to the coaches they are worthy of minutes return jobs, either, after the departures of the 2008 season at right tackle. spring and through the summer.” as well. Ray Small (graduated) and Lamaar Thomas He is expected to reprise his role inside Sanzenbacher finished second on the While total opportunities for tight ends (transfer to New Mexico). Among those on this season along with fellow holdovers team with 36 catches for 570 yards last sea- to touch the ball have been limited in the the roster this spring with previous return Michael Brewster at center and son and returns as a starter along with junior recent past, such has never been the case for experience are Posey, Sanzenbacher, Saine at left guard. Many expect that interior trio DeVier Posey. the running backs. and Herron. to be one of the best in the Big Ten if not the nation, leaving all of the intrigue on offensive line this spring surrounding the Defensive Players On The Spot tackles. • Etienne Sabino, linebacker – Projected 6-2, 203-pound sophomore will most likely get After replacing the injured Cordle at as a player who would contend for a starting job first crack at Kurt Coleman’s vacated strong right tackle in week three last season, J.B. early in his career, the 6-3, 240-pound junior has safety spot although free safety is not out of Shugarts started nine games as a sophomore. spent his first two seasons serving apprentice- the question. Either way, it will be interesting Though some growing pains were evident at ships at two different linebacker positions. As a this spring to watch Johnson and his combi- times for him, he became a reliable part of result, most of his experience has been on spe- nation of athletic ability and rangy coverage the line and is expected to improve in 2010 cial teams. This spring, however, no one should skills. as a junior. be in Sabino’s way as he seeks to lock down the • John Simon, defensive tackle – Simon His return to starting at right tackle is not strongside spot. Size, strength and speed are his had a solid freshman season for the Buckeyes guaranteed as April begins, however. calling cards, and all he needs to do is relax and last year, playing in all 13 games and register- Marcus Hall came on strong as his fresh- allow the game to come to him rather than trying ing 16 tackles, including 3½ for loss and 1½ man season progressed, and there are some to force the issue. sacks. With the departures of Doug Worthington who believe he could make a play for the • Nathan Williams, defensive end – With Etienne Sabino and Todd Denlinger, Simon is projected to take starting right tackle spot if he continues to Thaddeus Gibson off to the NFL a year early, Williams over one of the starting tackle spots. Based upon last improve rapidly. takes over his position after starring in a part-time role year’s performance, that wouldn’t seem much of a leap. That could prompt a move to the left side for the past two seasons. The 6-3, 260-pound junior has About all the 6-2, 270-pounder would appear to have to for Shugarts, although there are already two made the most of his playing time so far, recording career show to Jim Heacock this spring is improved technique viable candidates over there as well. numbers of 43 tackles, including 12 for loss and 5½ and knowledge of the defensive playbook. Big things have been expected of junior sacks, totals that should go up as Williams gets more • Ben Buchanan, punter – For the second spring in a Mike Adams since he became the second chances to rush the opposing quarterback. Sometimes row, the Buckeyes will break in a new punter. Buchanan player to commit to be a part of the Ohio players have trouble going from backup to starter, and this gets the nod this season, replacing Jon Thoma who aver- State recruiting class of 2008, but he has yet spring will tell the tale on whether Williams can make the aged only 37.9 yards per kick but nearly negated the to live up to the hype of being a five-star transition. opposing teams’ return game. During the regular season, recruit. • Orhian Johnson, safety – Considered somewhat of OSU opposition returned only eight punts for an average Adams has battled shoulder and knee a throw-in as a member of Ohio State’s recruiting class in of 2.7 yards per runback. Buchanan isn’t exactly a novice, injuries along with a rap of lacking tough- 2008, Johnson has steadily worked his way up the depth though. He averaged 42.8 yards on four attempts last ness, but team insiders report he has been chart and will contend for one of the team’s open safety season against Toledo when Thoma was sidelined with the among the most impressive workers during positions. Many forget he was his high school team’s flu. offseason workouts and winter conditioning. defensive MVP before switching to quarterback, and the – Mark Rea That has many Ohio State fans excited to www.BuckeyeSports.com BUCKEYE SPORTS BULLETIN April 3, 2010 • 19 Originally Published: April 3, 2010

THE VIEW FROM 15TH AND HIGH Both Basketball Teams Accomplished Much

As I have said many times before, one the “Graveyard of Coaches,” Ohio State of the unfortunate things about the madness has had tremendous stability with its foot- of March Madness is that a failure to meet THE VIEW FROM 15TH AND HIGH ball coaches for the last half-century – only expectations in the NCAA Tournament can Woody Hayes, , John Cooper minimize the accomplishments achieved Frank Moskowitz, Publisher and Tressel since 1951. by a college basketball team over the Look at traditional power and defending course of a lengthy regular season. hand they were dealt this season, and I success for the Buckeyes since Tressel’s national champion Alabama on the other With so much emphasis on the postsea- think they did pretty darned well with it. arrival, there are those who still would hand. The Crimson Tide have had eight son, there are probably some who think That is especially true when you consider like to see Ohio State make a coaching coaches since legendary coach Paul “Bear” the Ohio State men’s Big Ten champion- the team’s entire 2009-10 résumé rather change. Bryant retired in 1982, one of whom never ship season was not a success. And there than just the tournament. They put a lot I’ll be the first to admit I have my coached a game. (For you trivia buffs who are certainly many who will discount the of hardware in the Ohio State trophy case quibbles with the way Tressel goes about want to try to name all of them, I will list play of the six-time conference champion and certainly didn’t embarrass themselves his business. From a newspaper publisher’s them later.) women’s team after another early depar- in the Big Dance, something that can’t be standpoint, I wish he would allow bet- There have been plenty of ups and ture from the Big Dance. said of quite a few other teams of national ter access to the team for we ink-stained downs in that span, including It’s hard for me to be disappointed with repute. wretches – as well as microphone-toting leading the Tide to this most recent cham- the full body of work of the men’s team. On the other hand, it’s hard to be quite electronic media members – who cover the pionship. Even that crown does not guar- The Buckeyes should be lauded for win- so positive about the Ohio State women. team on a regular basis. And I certainly antee stability for Alabama with Saban’s ning both the regular-season and confer- There is no escaping the fact that with wish he would offer less vague or diplo- track record. The Tide job, which he took ence tournament crowns despite playing the exception of last season when they matic answers to the pointed and some- in 2007, was his fourth head coaching the early part of the Big Ten slate without advanced to the Sweet 16 before falling times not-so-pointed questions presented stop since 1995 – Michigan State, LSU star player Evan Turner. to perennial power Stanford, the women’s to him. and the NFL’s being the Once the team got to the NCAA team has a recent trend of being bounced From a football standpoint, I wish he others – and he has a reputation of bail- Tournament, anything was possible espe- from the tournament well before its expect- would bring in some coaching help on the ing on jobs. Where will Alabama be if his cially with the presence of the magi- ed departure. offensive side of the football. wanderlust – or a bigger contract offer cal Turner. However, I couldn’t help but Based on the team’s solid performance But all in all, it’s awfully hard to com- – strikes again? think going into March Madness that the in the tourney last season and with two plain about all the Big Ten championships, And what about Notre Dame, one of the Buckeyes’ thin six-man rotation, plus their bona fide stars on the roster in Jantel wins over Michigan, the national title and most storied college football programs of particular lack of depth inside, could ulti- Lavender and Samantha Prahalis – both other championship game berths and the them all? mately be a problem especially if they with an added year of experience since last most recent Rose Bowl victory. And other Brian Kelly recently became the Fighting met up with a team with a strong inside year’s Big Dance – it wasn’t unrealistic than the notable exception of the Maurice Irish’s eighth coach since presence. to expect a solid run in this year’s NCAA Clarett affair, Tressel generally keeps his resigned in 1974, including a hire who That potential scenario was there in the tournament. Buckeyes out of the headlines for things never coached a game like Alabama. Sure second-round game with Georgia Tech, Instead, the Buckeyes were complete- other than their gridiron exploits. led the Irish to a national cham- but the Buckeyes prevailed with a 75-66 ly embarrassed in the second round by For those who despite all that wish for pionship in 1988 during a successful run, victory over the Yellow Jackets. There was Mississippi State, the team OSU defeated a change, I say, “Be careful what you wish but there were also coaches such as Gerry no such luck when Ohio State advanced to to get to the Sweet 16 last season. for.” Faust and along the way. You play Tennessee in the Sweet 16. The Vols’ After repeated postseason failures, one I’m sure there were plenty of Michigan trivia buffs can try to fill in the rest of the 6-9 Wayne Chism pounded away inside has to ask if it’s coincidence, bad luck or fans who wanted gone. When Notre Dame coaching blanks and I will list and scored 18 of his 22 points in the second something wrong with the way head coach they got their wish, they got the full roster shortly. half while 6-10 Brian Williams worked Jim Foster and his program do business. I and the unmitigated disaster that has fol- I strongly suggest to Buckeye fans they inside for a key tip-in with only 31 seconds don’t have the answer. lowed. appreciate the stability and success of their left to help Tennessee to its 76-73 victory. I do know that next year will be pivotal I’m sure there were plenty of Tennessee favorite team. And while the Buckeyes – with William for the program. It will be the final year fans who wanted gone. Meanwhile, here is a list of the Alabama Buford, Jon Diebler and Turner each play- Lavender and Prahalis will be together When they got their wish, they got Lane coaches since Bryant – Ray Perkins (1983- ing all 40 minutes – denied it, some of as college teammates, and such budding Kiffin, who after one tumultuous season 86), (1987-89), the Volunteers were insistent that the out- young stars as Tayler Hill will have anoth- took off to USC. Who knows what the (1990-96), Mike DuBose (1997-2000), manned Buckeyes ran out of gas down the er year of experience under their belts. future holds in Knoxville now under new Dennis Franchione (2001-02), stretch. The Buckeyes will most likely be favor- head coach Derek Dooley? (did not coach), Mike Shula (2003-06) and “You could tell they were tired,” said ites to again dominate the Big Ten, but as Like Ohio State, Michigan and Saban (2007-present). Price was caught up Tennessee’s J.P. Prince. “Their legs weren’t mentioned previously college basketball Tennessee are proud football programs in a strip club scandal before he could lead all there and their shots didn’t fall the same teams are evaluated by how they do during whose fans take their teams very seriously. the Crimson Tide into battle. as in the first half.” March Madness, not how they do in their It’s hard to believe there are some Buckeye Notre Dame coaches since Parseghian The Buckeyes shot a solid 55.6 percent conference. Therefore, the OSU women fans who aren’t satisfied with OSU’s suc- are Dan Devine (1975-80), Faust (1981- from the floor in the first half against will have a lot to prove and there will be cess and want to roll the dice with a new 85), Holtz (1986-96), Bob Davie (1997- the Vols and 32.3 after the intermission a lot of pressure to make real noise in the coach after what has happened at those two 2001), George O’Leary (did not coach), – including 25.0 from beyond the arc. postseason. Hopefully, they can remember schools. Tyrone Willingham (2002-04), Weis As I watched an undermanned OSU the stinging feeling after falling to the Once you make a change, you never (2005-09) and Kelly. O’Leary was caught team get outrebounded by a 41-29 margin Bulldogs and build on it. know what’s going to happen. up in a falsified résumé scandal before he that led to the Buckeyes getting outscored Prahalis, in particular, needs to remem- Despite being known for many years as could prowl the sidelines in South Bend. 50-22 in the paint, I couldn’t help thinking ber the NCAA loss. Her display of frustra- what might have been had big men Kosta tion at the end of the game was not a pretty Koufos and B.J. Mullens not left the Ohio one. Teams from across the conference State program after just one year. (Let’s and across the country will note that she face it, man-child Greg Oden was never can be rattled if jostled and will work to going to last four years in college.) incite her emotions. Emotion can be one of While Dallas Lauderdale has come the junior-to-be’s greatest strengths if kept a long way since last season and Kyle under control, and she needs to come back Madsen really played well in the Big next season a much more mature leader. Ten tournament, they were not enough to Will next season be the breakout cam- consistently battle the stronger teams as paign for the Ohio State women’s basket- the Buckeyes got deeper into the NCAA ball program, or have the Buckeyes gone as tourney. far as they can under Foster? If Lauderdale and Madsen had been part of a rotation with Koufos and Mullens, and Be Careful What You Wish For that inside rotation were coupled with the As hard as it is to believe, I’m sure there plethora of guards the Buckeyes feature, were some who were disappointed when Ohio State could truly have been a force to Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel’s be reckoned with, especially in a tourna- contract was recently extended for two ment field that proved to be one of the most years, now running through the 2014 sea- wide-open in recent memory. son. Instead, the Buckeyes played with the Despite an almost unprecedented run of www.BuckeyeSports.com BUCKEYE SPORTS BULLETIN April 3, 2010 • 35