If the Ohio State men’s basketball team plans on going to the NCAA Tournament this year for a program record fifth consecutive year, it will have to rely on its most experienced player — senior Brent Darby.
While many preseason prognosticators again have OSU finishing low in the Big Ten Conference, Darby does not see it that way.
“I expect for us to compete for the Big Ten Championship,” Darby said. “The last couple of years they have picked us to finish at the bottom of the conference. But I expect us to have a great season again.”
Last season Darby averaged 12.8 points per game to go along with 2.9 assists a game. No other returning player averaged more on last season’s Big Ten championship team.
OSU men’s basketball coach Jim O’Brien said Darby will be the go-to-guy on the 2002-2003 Buckeyes.
“He certainly has to be our major option,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien has seen Darby develop over the four years he has been in the program. While Darby and his coach have had their run-ins, they have a close relationship that has helped Darby improve.
“We butt heads a little bit,” O’Brien said. “It’s been on ongoing thing for four years now. But he’s very coachable. We’ve grown to have a great affection for each other. I consider him to be one of my favorite guys.
“He has become more of a complete player. He isn’t just thinking about scoring.”
Now that Darby is a team captain, he will try to become a leader for OSU.
“The last couple of years I wasn’t that vocal,” Darby said. “Now I want to be more of a leader.”
Darby’s teammates appreciate his new role as team leader.
“When you’re in trouble he will tell you what to do,” said sophomore guard Brandon Fuss-Cheatham. “If you’re on the down, he will try to bring you back up.”
While Darby, at 6 feet 1 inch tall, isn’t the tallest guy on the floor he has other assets.
“I just use my quickness and my size to my advantage,” Darby said.
