Another year, a new season, and yet another challenge for Ohio State men’s basketball coach Jim O’Brien.
Once again the Buckeyes are a pre-season pick to finish among the bottom half of the Big Ten conference. In previous years, OSU had similar preseason expectations and still managed to succeed.
Since 1999, O’Brien has sent the Buckeyes to four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances as well as a Final Four appearance. In addition, OSU has captured a share of two Big Ten titles including the 2002 Big Ten tournament title championship. Regardless, OSU knows the odds are not in its favor.
“We’re used to it. Every year we’re picked to finish close to seventh or eighth in the conference,” said senior guard Sean Connolly. “We’re just going to go out and work hard to prove people wrong. We plan on having a successful season.”
The Buckeyes will have to pull from the remaining experience on the team. After losing first team All-Big Ten honoree Brian Brown, as well as sharp-shooter Boban Savovic, OSU looks to turn to a predominately front court style of attack.
“They have a lot more confidence in us now so they’re not afraid to throw the ball in low to us,” said sophomore center Terence Dials. “I’m excited that a lot of our focus is to try to get the ball into the post and maintain a presence down low.”
Dials swapped time at center last season with seven-foot junior Velimir Radinovic. The two Buckeye big men will work to control traffic around the basket with the help of another returning starter, junior forward Zach Williams
Williams adds a more versatile dimension to OSU’s offense. Williams has developed a shooter’s touch in his first two seasons as a Buckeye, and will give his team an offensive threat both down low and along the perimeter.
“We’re still trying to work out our best combinations at both the forward and guard position,” O’Brien said. “I see us coming together now over the last week of practice, and even though we’re not as far along as we were last year at this time, I’m happy with the progress so far.”
No matter where the offense of the team ends up, it will unquestionably be led by senior guard Brent Darby. Darby returns as the Buckeyes’ leading scorer from a year ago and will need to be the team’s wisest veteran. The senior guard has enjoyed a significant amount of time as an intricate part of the OSU back court the past three seasons. He will be the go-to-guy for the Buckeyes when they initiate their 2002-2003 campaign.
OSU is scheduled to take on Team Nike in an exhibition game at 8 p.m. tonight at the Schottenstein Center.
O’Brien talked about the importance of the game and the team’s need to get valuable game-time experience.
“We say this every year but the game comes at a very good time. Our guys are sick of playing each other,” he said. “We want to win the game but we would like to see a lot of guys get a chance to get some minutes. Getting some of the younger guys some game action is our main goal.”
