Monday, February 28, 2000
Buckeyes' defense stifles Illini 64-51
OSU half-game behind Purdue in Big Ten
BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COLUMBUS — Ohio State must win two games to claim the title as the Big Ten's best team. But Sunday's smothering of the league's hottest fire provided yet another convincing argument in the Buckeyes' favor.
In stopping Illinois' winning streak at seven games with a 64-51 victory at Value City Arena, the sixth-ranked Buckeyes were not a well-oiled offensive machine. In fact, the stats — they shot just 15 percent from 3-point range — would suggest they didn't play like the potential conference champion.
But the Buckeyes' defense was so dominant, their play so physical and their desire so palpable, it didn't matter what they shot. Illinois, which OSU coach Jim O'Brien called one of the better teams in the country, had no chance.
The Illini (18-8, 10-5) shot just 31 percent for the game and only 24 percent in the second half as the Buckeyes took control. So what if Ohio State missed 11 of 13 3-point attempts? During the decisive stretch, the Bucks outscored the Illini 24-5 because they created offense with their defense.
“They dictated us with their defense,” Illini coach Lon Kruger said.
What is the mark of a championship team? Winning by hitting on all cylinders, or easily beating another good team even when you're not?
“Any team, if you want to be a good team, your meal ticket has to be defense,” said Ohio State senior guard Scoonie Penn, who was 1-for-7 on 3-pointers but had 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists in his final home game.
“Defense is nothing but hard work. It's how bad you want it. Your offense can come and go, but as long as we play "D,' we know we can stay in the game until our offense gets going. If we can get both things going at the same time, good things are coming.”
The win gave the Buckeyes (20-5, 11-3) their second consecutive 20-win season and allowed them to keep control of their destiny in the race for the Big Ten regular-season championship.
Purdue leads the conference by a half-game at 12-3, with Ohio State and Michigan State second at 11-3. The Buckeyes can at least share the conference title by winning their two remaining games, at Minnesota and Penn State.
“We just want that ring so bad,” said junior guard Michael Redd, who finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Ohio State trailed 30-25 at halftime, thanks to six Illinois 3-pointers. But then the Buckeyes turned the defensive heat up to blistering.
Penn and Redd stepped in the passing lanes for steals, leading to fast-break layups and Redd driving to the hoop. Center Ken Johnson intimidated in the paint, misdirecting shots. Guard Brian Brown threw a blanket over Illinois' leading scorer, Cory Bradford, who had just three of his 14 points in the second half.
“The second half was our best defensive effort all season,” O'Brien said.
Ohio State's guards snuck in for offensive rebounds and put-backs, including four in that 24-5 run to take command. In the run, all six Buckeyes who played scored, a string triggered by seven consecutive points from Redd, who used his quickness to drive the baseline.
Statistics didn't mean a thing in comparison to that dominating eight-minute stretch. And the Big Ten's hottest team got sent home stone cold.
“We got over a big hurdle today,” O'Brien said, “but we still have to win two more hard games on the road. I like our situation because it's in our hands.”
ILLINOIS (18-8) — Johnson 1-5 0-0 3, McClain 1-3 0-1 2, Cook 6-14 3-4 17, Bradford 5-15 0-0 14, Williams 3-15 4-4 11, Archibald 0-0 0-0 0, Harrington 0-1 0-0 0, Brown 0-2 0-1 0, Krupalija 0-1 0-0 0, Griffin 2-3 0-0 4. Totals 18-59 7-10 51.
OHIO ST. (20-5) — Reese 5-9 1-3 11, Johnson 2-4 0-0 4, Penn 5-15 3-5 14, Brown 3-5 6-6 12, Redd 9-17 2-4 21, Darby 0-0 0-0 0, Robinson 0-0 0-0 0, Savovic 0-0 0-0 0, Smith 0-1 0-0 0, Steele 0-1 0-0 0, Ocokoljic 0-1 0-0 0, Dudley 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 25-56 12-18 64.
Halftime—Illinois 30, Ohio St. 25. 3-Point goals—Illinois 8-26 (Bradford 4-10, Cook 2-4, Johnson 1-2, Williams 1-8, Harrington 0-1, Krupalija 0-1), Ohio St. 2-13 (Redd 1-4, Penn 1-7, Smith 0-1, Steele 0-1). Fouled out—McClain. Rebounds—Illinois 30 (Cook 10), Ohio St. 40 (Redd 12). Assists—Illinois 8 (Williams 4), Ohio St. 7 (Penn 3). Total fouls—Illinois 19, Ohio St. 15. A—19,100.
Sports Stories
UC stays perfect in C-USA
UC looks tough, but still fragile
BEARCATS NOTEBOOK
Muskies put on show on road
XAVIER NOTEBOOK
Each player has different priority in spring training
REDS NOTEBOOK
PSU's Brown may slip to Bengals
BENGALS NOTEBOOK
