Ken Johnson is considered by his coach and his teammates to be the biggest factor in Ohio State’s men’s basketball team’s win over St. John’s on Saturday.

But the 6-11, 235-pound senior center wasn’t completely satisfied with a performance that gave him the single-game blocked shot record at OSU with 11.

“I feel that I could have been more of a factor offensively,” he said.

Coach Jim O’Brien differs with his player’s thoughts.

“I couldn’t say why he wouldn’t be satisfied. If he could play again like he did at St. John’s, I’d take it every game.”

Point guard Scoonie Penn attempted to offer an explanation for Johnson’s mindset.

“We still have 11 games to go. You can’t get too high on one game,” Penn said. “The next game he might not have any blocks or he might get into foul trouble quick which makes people forget how well you played in the last game. You can enjoy it for a day or two, but then you have to put it behind you.”

Johnson’s desire to achieve more with each performance on the court, as well as his religious beliefs and team encouragement, helps feed his intense work ethic.

“I work hard, but I thank God for my abilities,” said Johnson, who has bulked up 15 pounds since he arrived on campus. “If it weren’t for Him, the coaches and my teammates, I wouldn’t be the player that I am.”

Currently, his 86 blocks on the season makes him the NCAA Division I leader, with a per game average of 5.4. With a career total of 244 blocks, Johnson could surpass former Buckeye Herb Williams’ OSU record of 328 swats if he maintains his per game average through 16 games.

But Johnson said he doesn’t get caught up in statistics.

“My goal is to be the best person I can be. I don’t go out there thinking about records. If I go out thinking I need 10 blocks, then I only get three. I just try to step it up in some way, whether it’s in rebounding, in blocking shots or on offense.”

Johnson, who averaged 1.93 blocks per game as a sophomore, said his experience on the court has taught him what to expect from opponents.

“I know that guys are going to try to get me in foul trouble, so I go into the game expecting that. But how can you practice against a shot blocker? You can’t unless you have a guy standing on a ladder.”

O’Brien said that Johnson has greatly advanced as a player at OSU, but still has progress to make.

“He’s a babe in the woods with regards to his basketball knowledge,” he said. “I think he’s come a long way in the short time he’s been there. He has a long way to go, but he’s learned a lot. He’s definitely a little bit behind because of how late in life he started to play.”

Johnson didn’t take up basketball until he was a freshman at Henry Ford High School in Detroit, Mich.

“Kenny has gained maturity and experience. We had a few games where he did get into some foul trouble, but he’s getting better at that. More than anything, his experience, confidence and maturity in knowing what he can and cannot do has made him a better player.”