Jody Victor: If dues-paying was an official NCAA statistic, Austin Spitler would be among the national leaders. Few players have remained on the runway as long as Spitler, waiting for their careers to truly take flight. He red-shirted at Ohio State in 2005 and watched as James Laurinaitis stepped into a featured role following two key injuries at linebacker. For the next three years, Spitler backed up Laurinaitis, who became arguably the most decorated linebacker in Ohio State history. Laurinaitis has finally moved on to the NFL, an Spitler will take over a starting job this fall, either at middle linebacker or strong-side 'backer.

Jack Mewhort spent the majority of this year in Columbus attending Ohio State University. The 6-foot-6, 285-pounder, enrolled early to get acclimated with juggling college life and being a member of the Buckeyes football program. With two quarters completed the St. John's Jesuit graduate still hasn't quite slowed down to relax over summer break. Mewhort is participating in the Inaugural International Federation of American Football Junior World Championship involving teams representing eight countries across the globe. He's one of 45 players age 19-and-under on the U.S. team. Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, New Zealand, and the U.S. make up the teams involved in the football tournament at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The tournament includes 12 games with each team playing three games over eight days.

Former Licking Valley standout and future Ohio State Buckeye Storm Klein felt right at home Saturday in Fawcett Stadium. Klein, a starting linebacker and one of four team captains for Team USA, helped his squad cruise to an easy 78-0 first-round win against France in the International Federation of American Football Junior World Championship. There were plenty of Licking Valley and Buckeye fans in attendance, which made things more enjoyable for Klein. Klein - who finished with four tackles, including two solos and 1.5 tackles for loss - gave the hometown fans plenty to cheer about, although his playing time was limited because the game never was in doubt. No fans cheered more loudly than Klein's father and step-mother, Jason and Melanie Klein, and Valley coach Randy Baughman.

During spring quarter, Ohio State offensive lineman Jim Cordle worked out and went to spring football practice, and also took four classes and earned a 3.75 GPA. But his hardest work was on display Friday night, June 26th. The charity bowling tournament Cordle planned in his hometown of Lancaster raised more than $18,000 for the county Special Olympics and provided one of the most interactive Buckeye experiences for fans. With all 42 lanes in operation and sponsored for at least $200, the participating fans stayed in their lanes and bowled while the Buckeyes rotated through the lanes. So you might bowl one frame with Thaddeus Gibson, the next with Dane Sanzeubacker, the next with Cameron Heyward and the next with Kurt Coleman. Or Dan Herron. Or Doug Worthington. Or Anderson Russell. Or Mike Brewster. Most of the players really interacted with the fans, high-fiving and shaking hands and signing T-shirts. Pretty cool night!

Go Bucks!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Practice is underway for USA Football's Junior National Team. The team has completed its first days of practice in preparation for the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship beginning Saturday, June 27. Incoming Ohio State freshmen Storm Klein and Jack Mewhort will be checking in periodically in the days leading up to the championships. Members of the team arrived at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, Saturday from 22 states, each soon to enter one of 33 college football programs. The team conducted its first practice Sunday afternoon, led by head coach Chuck Kyle of Cleveland St. Ignatius High School.

Hockey - Many young players enter the NHL and think only about scoring goals. They feel that's the way to get noticed. Livonia native Ryan Kesler, of the Vancouver Canucks, has been a little different. Ryan Kesler is a symbol of all that is good for the Canucks. Kesler is among the three finalists for the Frank Selke Trophy, awarded to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game. The other nominees are Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk, last year's winner, and Mike Richards of Philadelphia.

Football - Former Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman, who threw 25 touchdown passes in 2007 but lost his starting job early last season, has signed as a free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 6-4, 244-pound Boeckman has NFL size and a strong arm. If he can demonstrate accuracy and touch on a range of passes, he'll have a chance to stick with Jacksonville.

Women's Basketball - The Indiana Fever have signed third-year center Jessica Davenport. The former Ohio State star, released by the New York Liberty at the end of training camp earlier this month, replaces injured veteran forward Yolanda Griffith on the Fever roster.

Davenport was selected by San Antonio with the second overall pick in the 2007 draft and then traded to New York in the deal for Becky Hammon. The 6-foot-5 center averaged 5.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in 47 games over two seasons with the Liberty. A two-time Big Ten conference player of the year with the Buckeyes, she led them to the Big Ten title game in all four years of her college career.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: In the nearly 120-year history of the Ohio State football program, student-athletes from around the country have had the opportunity to excel both on and off the field under the direction of the Ohio State coaching staff. From doctors and lawyers to Heisman Trophy winners and All-Americans, the players of Ohio State football have been molded to exemplify the best The Ohio State University has to offer.
 
Embracing the “pay it forward” mentality of the late Woody Hayes, for years, Ohio State athletes have had the opportunity to grow as players and individuals by giving back to the Columbus community.

For former Buckeye defenseman Ryan Miller (1993-96), Mike Vrabel (1993-96) and Luke Fickell (1993-’96), the chance to support the local community was an experience that would shape both their future and time spent at Ohio State.

“There were a number of organizations we had the opportunity to be involved with when we were in school,” Miller said. “You don’t realize how big an influence you have just by putting on scarlet and gray. There is a responsibility there you don’t even realize. Young boys and girls across the state of Ohio look to you as someone they want to emulate.”

Drawn together on the field, the friendship the three developed as players would remain intact for years to come.

“When you look at why people become roommates, you look at their attitudes, their work ethic and the things that define their personalities,” Vrabel said. “We were roommates and we played football so we saw each other constantly and it just continued to grow from there.”

During their four-year tenure at Ohio State, the three were a part of a Buckeye team that clenched a pair of Big Ten co-championships and compiled a record of 41-8-1. Concluding their senior campaign with a 20-17 Rose Bowl victory over Arizona State in 1996, Miller, Fickell and Vrabel ended their Buckeye careers with a No. 2 ranking in both national polls and an 11-1 record.

“Winning the Rose Bowl was just really exciting,” Miller said. “It was something we had all talked about for so long, so to win the way we did felt like justification for four years of hard work.”

Upon graduation, Miller, Fickell and Vrabel, although still guided by football, found themselves headed in different directions. 

Miller, a linebacker, joined WBNS-AM and later WBNS-10TV as a sports anchor, eventually earning two Emmys for his work in sports broadcasting.

“It was a unique experience to be so close to the sport you love so much and had a chance to play,” Miller said. “I honestly don’t think I would have liked it as much if I were living in a different city or didn’t have the Buckeyes to cover.”

Notching 212 tackles during 50-consecutive game starts at nose guard, Fickell would spend a year on the New Orleans Saints injured reserve list before joining the Buckeye coaching staff in 1999 as a graduate assistant. Actively involved in game planning and strategy for the Buckeyes, Fickell was named co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in April of 2005.

After graduation, Vrabel, a first-team All-American selection and Big Ten defensive player of the year, also became a member of the National Football League. Joining the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 91st overall draft pick, Vrabel went on to become one of the most decorated linebackers in the history of Ohio State.

Signing with the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent in March of 2001, the 6-foot-4-inch, 261 pound Vrabel has recorded 614 tackles, 51 sacks and 10 interceptions in his professional career. Recognized by Patriots head coach Bill Belichick for both his personality and playing ability, Vrabel boasts three Super Bowl victories, the most of any former Buckeye.

And while the three found their individual successes both at and away from Ohio State, they had not forgotten the lessons learned as former players. Coming together after several years, the trio made the decision to once again reach out to the community which had always supported them.

Inspired by their previous work with the Right to Read program, Miller, Fickell and Vrabel decided to again volunteer their time to read to local children, this time with the idea of providing each child with their own book.

“We had always enjoyed Right to Read Week,” Vrabel said. “As athletes, it was a great way for us to go to the elementary schools and get kids’ attention.”

Focusing on literacy and urban youth, Miller, Fickell and Vrabel decided to hold a football camp in 2000 to help raise funds for their new initiative. Raising enough money to purchase books for seven second classes, the Second and Seven Foundation was created.

The foundation, now in its 10th year, has grown to incorporate elementary schools throughout Central Ohio and has been adopted by athletic programs at Toledo, Notre Dame, Michigan, Wisconsin and North Carolina. The weekly readings, which now feature Ohio State student-athletes as part of the foundation’s “Tackle Illiteracy” program, reached 3,100 children in 46 schools in the 2007-08 school year.

“We used to go read the books two days a week, with four schools one day and three the next,” Vrabel said. “Now the student-athletes represent us and Ohio State. We obviously can’t get the message out to every single kid, so it’s nice to have the help of the student-athletes.”

To celebrate the foundation’s success, the decision was made to write and publish a unique book based on the principles of teamwork and determination. After brainstorming ideas, The Hog Mollies and the Pickle Pie Party was born.   

“Everybody really pitched in and had their own concepts and there were no egos involved,” Miller said. “It was just how can we write a book that’s fun and mold it into something that’s exciting for a kid to read and get from student-athletes.”

To continue to raise funds for literacy awareness and the book’s publication, the foundation will have a busy schedule in the upcoming weeks.

Events are set to kick off Saturday, June 13 in the Arena District with a booth and story time led by Vrabel at the Park Street Festival. The FUNdamental Football Camp, which has now grown to accommodate 400 children, will take place June 15-17 at Hilliard Weaver Middle School. Finally, an 8-Ball Celebrity Shootout which in the past has featured the likes of Greg Oden, Tedy Bruschi, Troy Brown, Joey Galloway, Kirk Herbstreit and Jody Shelly, will be held in the South Campus Gateway June 18.

With the goal of raising enough money to publish 30,000 books for the upcoming school year, Miller, Fickell and Vrabel know their mission would not be possible without the support of the local community.

“Without the athletic department, without the volunteers, without the community and without the sponsors, it would be very difficult to reach as many kids,” Miller said. “Everyday we are thankful there is so much generosity. Ohio State has been great and I wouldn’t expect anything less. It makes you proud to be a Buckeye.”

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Ohio State wide receiver Brian Robiskie finished as one of five male finalists for the 2009 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar of the Year award, announced by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education magazine. The first Ohio State student-athlete to become a finalist since the national awards program began 16 years ago, Robiskie was also a national finalist last year.

Robiskie led the Buckeyes two seasons in receiving, with 42 catches for 535 yards and eight touchdowns in 2008. Twice a first team Academic All-American and a 2008 National Football foundation postgraduate scholar, the Cleveland product graduated from Ohio State in March with a bachelor's degree in marketing. Winner of the Big Ten Medal of Honor, Robiskie was a second-round draft pick of the NFL's Cleveland Browns.

- Phil Steele has released his preseason All-Big Ten Team. Phil Steele's College Football Preview is one of the nation's most informative preseason football magazines and has always provided a preseason All-American team as well as preseason All-Conference teams. Ohio State is represented on the first team by safety Kurt Coleman, cornerback Chimdi Chekwa, offensive lineman Justin Boren and return specialist Ray Small. Second-team selections were quarterback Terrelle Pryor, safety Anderson Russell, linebacker Ross Homan and defensive end Thaddeus Gibson.

Kicker Aaron Pettrey, running back Brandon Saine, center Mike Brewster and receiver DeVier Posey were third-team picks. Kick returner Lamaar Thomas was on the fourth team.

- The Rimington Trophy committee has released its 2009 Spring Watch List. The list includes 12 returning players from the 2008 Watch List. In all, there are 44 players on the Watch List. The SEC checks in with the most candidates, with six players being named. The ACC, Big-12, Big Ten and WAC are represented by five players each on the Watch List. Center Mike Brewster is on the list for Ohio State.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Playing its second game of the day, Ohio State was eliminated from the NCAA Tallahassee regional by No. 1 seed Florida State, 37-4, Saturday. Florida State wins the regional and advances to play in a super regional next week.

The Seminoles set NCAA tournament game records for runs, hits with 38, for total bases with 66 and for doubles with 15. This came against an Ohio State pitching staff that was totally depleted and spent after playing its fourth game in three days and its second of the day.

"Well we had one good game and one bad game today," Ohio State coach Bob Todd said. "I'm not sure you can tell the kids anything after a game like that. Everybody knows what happened today pitching-wise. And everything they did was right and what we did was wrong. It was like an intra squad game."

The Buckeyes advanced to this Tallahassee Regional first championship game by defeating Georgia, 13-6, earlier on Sunday.

Ohio State concludes its 126th season of baseball with a 42-19 record.

Go Bucks!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: When it was all said and cone, the 2009 regular season was an odd one for Ohio State baseball. and this program likes odd years because for the 10th consecutive odd-numbered year, since 1991, and for the 13th time in coach Bob Todd's 22 years as coach, Ohio State will be playing in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship.

The team learned today that it has been invited into the NCAA championship field as the No. 3 seed in the Tallahassee, Fla., Regional and will play No. 2 seed and 37-22 Georgia at 12 noon Friday (televised on ESPNU). Host and No. 1 seed Florida State and No. 4 Marist are the other schools in the four-team Tallahassee Regional. They play at 4 p.m. Friday

The four teams will play a double elimination tournament starting Friday, May 29 and continue through Monday, June 1, if necessary. All games will start at 12 noon or 4p.m. with the exception of the possible game Monday, which would start at 7 p.m.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: About four hours after Ohio State came from behind in Game 3 to sweep Iowa and improve to 18-6 in the Big Ten, the team became the 2009 Big Ten champion when Penn State upset league-leading Minnesota, 10-8. The title was the 15th for Ohio State and the seventh for coach Bob Todd.

Coach Bob Todd has 994 wins in his 26-year career and is seeking to become the 40th D1 coach to reach 1,000. Enshrined in the ABCA Hall of Fame in January and the Ohio State sports Hall of Fame last fall, Todd is second all-time with 402 Big Ten wins. His teams have won at least 30 games in 24 consecutive seasons and one win will give him his 12th 40-win season.

Big Ten Conference champion Ohio State makes its Big Ten record 13th consecutive appearance in the league's post-season tournament Thursday at 7:05 p.m. against a team to be determined. The Buckeyes will play the lowest seeded winner from the opening round games Wednesday:

Game 1, 12:05 p.m. - No. 4 Illinois vs. No. 5 Michigan State; &

Game 2, 3:35 p.m. - No. 3 Indiana vs. No. 6 Purdue

The Big Ten Network will broadcast all 10 or 11 games of the 2009 tournament. This is the first time since 1994 the Big Ten Tournament is being played at a neutral park - Huntington Park in downtown Columbus  - and hosted by neutral parties - the Columbus Sports Commission and the Columbus Clippers, in addition to the Big Ten Conference.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Ohio state and Eastern Michigan, teams that are each coming off hard-earned, series wins over first-place teams in their respective conferences, meet today at Bill Davis Stadium in a 12:05 p.m. game. The Buckeyes came from a game down to win its series with Illinois, 2-1, behind consecutive 16-hit games, including six doubles and four home runs, and 7.2 innings of effective relief. Eastern Michigan defeated Mid American Conference West leader Toledo, 2-1, winning the first and third games of the series.

It is Columbus City School's (CCS) Day today and Bill Davis Stadium will be filled - for half the game or so - with 2,600 sixth graders from 34 Columbus City Schools. The day includes an educational assembly at the Schottenstein Center. Ohio State, Columbus State and Columbus City Schools are partnering this year for CCS Day, designed to show young students the opportunities for and advantages of higher education and the importance of staying in school.

This week in Ohio State Baseball -

Ohio State (36-14; 15-6/2nd Big Ten Conference) vs.

Game 51 vs. Eastern Michigan (20-32; 11-13 MAC) - Tuesday, May 12, 12:05 p.m.

Game 52 vs. Iowa (16-32; 4-16/9th Big Ten conference) - Thursday, May 14, 6:35 p.m.

Game 53 vs. Iowa - Friday, May 15, 6:35 p.m.

Game 54 vs. Iowa - Saturday, May 16, 1:05 p.m.

All games at Bill Davis Stadium

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Ohio state was defeated by Louisville Tuesday, 21-5, at Jim Patterson Field. The Cardinals, a College World Series team two years ago and looking like an NCAA team again with a 33-13 record, hit six home runs and five doubles as part of a 19-hit night. Ohio State drops to 34-12 with the loss.

A two-out walk in the first inning followed by a 3-0 pitch to All-American third baseman Chris Dominguez led to an early 2-0 Louisville lead. Dominguez stroked that 3-0 pitch into center field for his 15th home run of the season. One batter later, Phil Wunderlich hit his 13th home run of the season to right field for a 3-0 Cardinal lead.

Louisville scored four more runs in the fifth, one in the seventh and three in the eighth. Its Nos. 3-4-5-6-and7 hitters accounted for 18 runs, 16 hits - Adam Duvall and Dominguez had two home runs apiece - and 19 RBI. Ohio State scored five runs in the ninth off six singles and a hit batter. T.J. McManus, D.J. Hanlin, David Corna, Cory Kovanda and Cory Rupert had RBIs in the inning.

The two teams were scheduled to take the field once again today at 12 noon, but due to a band of showers making its way to Louisville the starting time has been moved back to 1 p.m. if the weather holds out.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Ohio State did not capitalize on two bases loaded situations early in the game and Northwestern put the game away with four runs in the sixth inning to defeat No. 24 Ohio State, 10-6, Sunday at Bill Davis Stadium. Despite the loss, Ohio State wins the series 2-1, and sits at first-place in the Big Ten with an 11-4 record. The Buckeyes are 31-10 overall.

Ohio State added an unearned run in the fifth to close the gap to 3-2, but the Wildcats scored four runs off two doubles and two walks to build a 7-2 lead and the home team simply wasn't able to recover. Northwestern improved to 12-26 with the win and 3-10 in the Big Ten Conference.

The Buckeyes have another big home week ahead of them. After a Wednesday game vs. Akron, Ohio State hosts Michigan for three games May 1-3. All three will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

Go Bucks!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Ohio State will kick off a nine game homestand with games today and Wednesday against bowling Green and Ball State from the Mid American Conference. Each game will start at 6:35 p.m., respectively in the Bill Davis Stadium.

Ohio State is ranked in one or more of the major polls for a ninth consecutive week, coming in this week with a raking of No. 24 by Collegiate Baseball.

In a series dating back to 1951, Bowling Green and Ohio State have met 51 times with the Bucks leading the series 29-18-4. Ohio State and Ball State have met 15 times since 1964 with Ohio State leading the series, 11-4.

Ohio State is 24-6 in away or neutral field games...5-2 at home this season. The team is 12-3 in 1- and 2-run games and 13-1 in games it scores 10 or more runs. The team is also 25-1 when leading after the sixth inning and 25-0 when leading after the seventh. However, the team is 1-6 when trailing after the sixth and 0-8 when trailing after the seventh.

Senior relief ace Jake Hale has been named the Pitcher of the Week in the Big Ten Conference. The honor comes in the wake of the announcement that Hale is in the running for the fifth annual NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award. Over the course of 25 hours this past weekend he saved all three wins in Ohio State's 3-0 Big Ten series sweep over Purdue. Hale pitched a total of 5.1 innings in the Purdue series, surrendering four hits, no runs and two walks while striking out seven.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Ohio State made the most of its opportunities and received a fine pitching performance from three players to win its third consecutive game and its second of this series with a 5-3 win Saturday over Michigan State at sunny but chilly Bill Davis Stadium. The No. 28 Buckeyes are now 25-7 on the season and 5-3 in the Big Ten. Michigan State dropped to 11-20 and 3-5.

Alex Wimmers is the Big Ten pitcher of the week this week, the third time this season the sophomore from Cincinnati and Archbishop Moeller High School has claimed the Big Ten's weekly award.

Wimmers was named co-pitcher of the week for his two-hit, 11-strikenout command performance in a 6-1 win over Michigan State Friday at Bill Davis Stadium. He shared the award with Indiana's Eric Arnett.

As big a mid-week game as we'll have at Bill Davis Stadium this year take place at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday as the 26-7 Ohio State Buckeyes host 24-7 Kent State University, a team predicted to win the MAC and make the NCAA tournament.

Ohio State comes into the game ranked 26th by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and 28th by PING! Baseball and Kent State is ranked 24th by Collegiate Baseball. The two teams have numerous other similarities:

* Ohio State has won 14 Big Ten Conference regular season championships, eight Big Ten tournament championships and has participated in the NCAA tournament 18 times, including 12 times under the direction of coach Bob Todd.

* Kent State has won nine Mid American Conference championships, six MAC tournament titles and participated in an NCAA tournament eight times, including once under fifth-year coach Scott Stricklin.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

 

Jody Victor®: No. 18 Ohio State defeated No. 25 Minnesota, 3-2, in a terribly tense, terribly exciting and wonderfully pitched game Saturday afternoon at the Huber H. Humphrey Metrodome. Ohio State is now 22-6 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten Conference. Minnesota is 15-9 and 2-2, respectively.

Dean Wolosiansky, Drew Rucinski and Jake Hale combined on a six-hitter and together held the Golden Gophers "oh-fer" in potential RBI situations. Minnesota hitters went 0-for-15 at the plate with runners in a scoring position, a critical stat of the game when one considers the home team had runners in scoring position in every inning but the second.

Wolosiansky picked up his sixth win of the season against one defeat by pitching 5.2 innings of three-hit, one-run ball. Rucinski came into a 2-1 game and held the lead with 2.0 innings of three-hit, one-run baseball. He struck out two and didn't walk a batter. Hale, pitched the final 1.1 innings to earn his Big Ten-leading sixth save of the season while finishing a game for his 15th consecutive time.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor®

Jody Victor: The Ohio state Buckeyes, off to one of the best starts in the history of the program, open their home season at Bill Davis Stadium with midweek games tonight against Xavier and Marshall Wednesday. First pitch for both games is 2:05 p.m.

Ohio State is 210-106 all-time at Bill Davis Stadium for a fine.686 winning percentage. The team was 14-10 at home in 2008. The 2009 season marks the 13th year of play at the venue.

Typically Ohio State has played only one midweek game between Big Ten series. But with the Big Ten series now consisting of three 9-inning games instead of the four-game format, there are eight fewer conference games and thus eight more non-conference games that need to be played. The team will play two midweek games a total of three times this season, including road games at Louisville in May.

All Ohio State home games - with the exception being the three games vs. Michigan televised on the Big Ten Network - will be video streamed live online at OhioStateBuckeyes.com. The video, with the audio call by the Ohio State radio announcing crew, will be carried by Buckeye Vision, a subscription-based package available at OhioStateBuckeyes.com. Frank Fraas and either Brian Mannino or Bob Spears will be on the call.

Go Bucks!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: It's Buckeye Baseball time! No. 22 Ohio State defeated Army twice Saturday at Chain of Lakes Field, 3-1 and 8-4, to improve to 16-2 on the season and extend its winning streak to eight games. Army, which had come into the day a winner of four consecutive games, drops to 6-8 overall.

A five-run third inning broke a 3-all tie in the nightcap and gave the Buckeyes a comfortable, five-run cushion, 8-3. The big inning included four hits and two Cadet errors. Michael Stephens and Ryan Dew each singled and scored in the inning and Cory Rupert walked and scored. All three scored on the big hit of the inning: Matt Streng's bases-loaded triple, his third of the year, down the right field line.

Starter Eric Best picked up a win in his third consecutive appearance. He also pitched at least 5.0 innings for the third consecutive game. The junior, now 3-0 on the season, gave up five hits and three runs before turning the game over to Drew Rucinski in the sixth inning.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : Just minutes after falling to Purdue in the Big Ten Championship game, the Ohio State men's basketball team received the No. 8 seed in the Midwest Region of the 2009 NCAA Tournament and will begin play against ninth-seeded Siena Friday, March 20, at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio.

Ohio State is making its 21st trip to the NCAA Tournament and third in the last four years. The Buckeyes are 37-19 all-time in the big dance, including a trip to the 2007 Final Four in their most recent outing. They are 1-2 in two previous appearances as a No. 8 seed and 3-2 when playing in the Midwest Region.

The winner of the game advances to the second round Sunday against either the No 1 overall seed Louisville or the winner of the play-in game between Alabama State and Morehead State.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: The field is set for the 2009 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament that will take place Thursday-Sunday, March 12-15, at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. Michigan State (25-5, 15-3) claimed the No. 1 seed after capturing the Big Ten title for the fifth time under Tom Izzo's tutelage. Illinois (23-8, 11-7) earned the No. 2 seed, while Purdue (22-9, 11-7) clinched the No. 3 spot. Wisconsin (19-11, 10-8) claimed the No. 4 seed and Ohio State (20-9, 10-8) earned the No. 5 seed. Each of the top five teams receives a first-round bye and will start tournament play on Friday, March 13.

The 12th annual Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament will tip off on Thursday, March 12, with No. 8 Minnesota (21-9, 9-9) taking on No. 9 Northwestern (17-12, 8-10) at Noon ET on the Big Ten Network. The second game of the tournament will feature No. 7 Michigan (19-12, 9-9) against No. 10 Iowa (15-16, 5-13) at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The final game on Thursday will include No. 6 Penn State (21-10, 10-8) and No. 11 Indiana (6-24, 1-17) at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

The second game of the day features the last two tournament champions in Wisconsin and Ohio State. The Badgers won the tournament last year while the Buckeyes claimed the title in 2007. The two will square off at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Go Bucks!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : Ohio State (18-9, 8-8) begins their final week of the regular season at Iowa tonight. The game is in the Carver-Hawkeye Arena and will air at 9 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.

Iowa leads the all-time series vs. Ohio State 73-64. Ohio State has won three of the last four games in the series and Thad Matta is 4-4 vs. the Hawkeyes in his five seasons in Columbus. Iowa is 47-19 in Iowa City while the Buckeyes hold the edge in Columbus 43-25 after a 68-65 victory Dec. 31, 2008, to open the current Big Ten Conference season. No current Ohio State player has faced the Hawkeyes more than three times. Jon Diebler leads the Buckeyes veterans with an average of 11.0 points a game in the Iowa series. His seven made 3s vs. the Hawkeyes all came in the earlier meeting this season when he knocked down 7-of-10 treys in Columbus. Freshman William Buford made his series debut for Ohio State with 16 points and five rebounds.

In addition to being a candidate for 2009 Big Ten Player of the Year, sophomore Evan Turner is among 15 finalists nationally for the 2009 Oscar Robertson Trophy, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association announced last week. Turner is the lone Big Ten player of the USBWA finalists. The Oscar Robertson Trophy is voted on by the entire membership of the association, which consists of nearly 800 journalists. The ballot was distributed to the membership Monday. The Oscar Robertson Trophy is awarded to the USBWA's Player of the Year. It is the nation's oldest award and the only one named after a former player. The legendary Oscar Robertson was the USBWA's first player of the year in 1959. The USBWA renamed its player of the year award the Oscar Robertson Trophy in 1998.

Ohio State head coach Thad Matta coached his 300th career game when the Buckeyes took on Purdue Feb. 28 in West Lafayette, Matta is 225-75 overall in nine seasons as a head coach, which includes one season at Butler, three at Xavier and five at Ohio State.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: It's a one-time event this year - Ohio State will play Penn State tonight in Value City Arena at 7 p.m. (televised on ESPN). The Buckeyes have faced all Big Ten teams at least once before taking on the Nittany Lions tonight. The Buckeyes are 21-12 in the PSU series with a record of 11-3 in Columbus. The Buckeyes have won the last 10 meetings and are 5-0 at Value City Arena vs. Penn State. Thad Matta is 9-0 vs. Penn State during his five seasons in Columbus. Three available Ohio State players have played in the Penn State series. Evan Turner, Jon Diebler and Dallas Lauderdale appeared in the only game between the schools last year. David Lighty, out with a broken left foot, has played in three Penn State games. Turner and Diebler both scored five points in the game a year ago.

Sophomore Jon Diebler flirted with the Ohio state single-game record for made 3-pointers when he poured in a career-high 28 points at Northwestern Feb. 18. Eight of his nine field goals were from 3-point range, one off the Ohio State record of nine made 3s accomplished by Jay Burson vs. Florida Dec. 27, 1988. Diebler connected on seven 3s earlier this season against Iowa Dec. 31. He now owns three of the Top 6 single-game 3-point shooting efforts in Ohio State history. Diebler also entered the single season 3-pointers made chart at the No. 8 spot following the Northwestern game. He has made 70 on the year.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Junior Jeremie Simmons, one of two Chicago natives on the Ohio State roster, is making his first trip to Northwestern Wednesday. The game will tip off at 9 p.m. ET on the Big Ten network.

Ohio State leads the all-time series vs. Northwestern 105-44 with a record of 43-30 in Evanston. The Buckeyes have won the last 11 games in the series since Feb. 21, 1998, a 70-62 setback in Evanston. Thad Matta is 7-0 vs. the Wildcats since taking over the Ohio State program in 2004-05. Evan turner averaged 13.0 points and 5.0 rebounds a game in two appearances vs. the Wildcats last season to lead the current roster of Buckeyes in the series. He connected on 10 of 15 field goals and 4 of 5 3-pointers a gear ago vs. Northwestern. Jon Diebler contributed 12 points a game as well. The teams will end the regular season in Columbus March 8. Northwestern has dropped its last 25 games in Columbus. The last Wildcat win on Ohio State's campus was an 83-72 victory at St. John Arena Feb. 24, 1977.

Sophomore Evan Turner has won the Big Ten's Player of the Week award three times this season after earning his second-consecutive honor after a pair of wins vs. ranked teams last week. Turner averaged a double-double in wins vs. No. 12 Purdue Feb. 3 and No. 19 minnesota Feb. 7. Both games were in Columbus. The most recent honor followed his second POW honor Feb 2 after wins vs. Michigan Jan. 25 at home and a win at Indiana Jan. 31. His first POW of the year followed victories at No. 21 Miami, Fla., Dec. 2 and vs. No. 7 Notre Dame Dec. 6 in Indianapolis. Turner is the first Buckeye to repeat as the Big Ten POW since Terence Dials won back-to-back awards in 2004-05. The last Ohio State players to win three awards in the same year were Scoonie Penn and Michael Redd, who each did so in 1998-99.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Balanced scoring and defense lead the Buckeyes past the Golden Gophers for a win. Evan Turner made seven free throws in the final 64 seconds, leading Ohio State past No. 19 Minnesota 64-58 Saturday night for the Buckeye's fifth win this season over a ranked opponent.

Two of the wins have come this week, with the Buckeyes (17-5, 7-4 Big Ten) beating No. 12 Purdue 80-72 on Tuesday night.

Turner finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Jon Diebler and William Buford each scored 11 points and B.J. Mullens had 10 for Ohio State. The Buckeyes won their fourth in a row while running their record against ranked opponents to 5-4.

The Buckeyes never trailed after a 10-0 first-half spurt but had to scratch and claw down the stretch to hang on to the lead. Ohio State led by three at the half and stretched the lead to 38-31 on two free throws by B.J. Mullens at the 13:52 mark.

Minnesota had won the last two meetings with the Buckeyes, including a 68-59 win at Williams Arena on Jan. 3. The Buckeyes have won seven of their last 11 games against ranked teams. When Minnesota is ranked, Ohio State is now 12-12 against the Golden Gophers.

This week's game against Wisconsin is Saturday Feb 14 in Madison, Wisconsin - you can catch the game on ESPN at 9:00 p.m. EST.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Ohio State (15-5, 5-4) will contend with No. 16/17 Purdue (17-4, 6-2) and their six-game winning streak tonight at 7 p.m. in Value City Arena. Check it out on ESPN.

Purdue is the leader in the all-time series vs. the Buckeyes 79-73. Ohio State is 49-27 in Columbus and has not lost to the Boilermakers at Value City Arena (5-0) since the facility opened for the 1998-99 season. The Buckeyes have faced ranked Purdue teams 28 times, winning 12. Evan Turner leads Ohio State vs. Purdue. He has averaged 11.5 points in two career meetings. He also is the top Ohio State rebounder among current Buckeyes vs. Purdue with 5.5 boards a game. Thad Matta is 8-2 (7-1 at Ohio State) vs. Purfue all-time. Purdue last won in Columbus during the 1998 Big Ten season, a 107-75 victory Feb. 7 at St John Arena.

Evan Turner earned his 2nd POW of the season scoring a career-high 29 points to go along with 10 rebounds vs. Indiana. The 10 rebounds at IU and the double-double was his fifth of the season and seventh of his career at Ohio State. He is the only current Buckeye with a double-double to his credit. Turner connected on 10 of 14 shots vs. the Hoosiers and averaged 26.5 points and 7.5 rebounds last week in two games while playing 78 minutes (39.0 mpg.). He connected on 70 percent of his field goals (16-23) and 91 percent of his foul shots (21-23) in victories over Michigan and Indiana.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: For the second time this year, Ohio State will sponsor a "Lose the Blue" clothing donation event surrounding the Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry. In the fall, more than 7,000 pounds of blue clothing items were collected and donated to Goodwill Columbus. Fans are encouraged to donate gently used items of blue clothing Wednesday at the Ohio State vs. Michigan men's basketball game at Value City Arena. Game time is 6:30 p.m. and will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

Ohio State leads the overall series vs. Michigan 84-70 with a record of 35-43 in Ann Arbor and 48-26 in Columbus. Thad Matta is 8-1 overall against Michigan as the head coach of the Buckeyes. Ohio State has swept the season series in three of the last four years, including all three meetings in 2007. Evan Turner averages 11.7 points and 7.0 rebounds in three games against Michigan. Ohio State has faced ranked Michigan teams 34 times with a 12-22 record in those games. Ohio State has won three of the last four games at Crisler Arena when the Wolverines were ranked in the Associated Press Top 25. Ohio State freshmen William Buford and B.J. Mullens combined for 30 points in their debut in the series earlier this month in Ann Arbor.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Ohio State freshman William Buford earns his first weekly honor after leading the Buckeyes to a pair of victories last week over Indiana at home and No. 25 Michigan on the road. in the two wins, Buford averaged 17 points, six rebounds and went 13-of-25 (.520) from the field. The Toledo, Ohio, native also recorded four assists and two steals while averaging 36.5 minutes per game.

Against the Hoosiers, Buford tied a career high with 19 points, netting 4-of-7 (.571) from behind the arc, marking the third-consecutive game that he either set or tied his career high in scoring. Against Michigan, he reached double figures for the eighth time in his last nine outings with 15 points. On the week, Buford went 5-of-11 (.455) from 3-point range and 3-of-4 (.750) from the charity stripe.

Thad Matta has won 20 or more wins in each season as a collegiate head coach. Mark Few and Matta are the only active head coach coaches with 20 or more wins in every season as a head coach. Few has done so nine times, Matta eight. The Buckeyes are 13-3 overall to date with at least 14 games remaining this season (13 regular season, 1 in Big Ten tournament). Matta also is working on 300 career games as a head coach. He is 220-69 during his career.

Ohio State (13-3, 3-2) plays Illinois (15-3, 3-2) at Assembly Hall tonight, 7 p.m. on ESPN.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

 

Jody Victor: Indiana leads the all-time series vs. Ohio state 99-68 with the Buckeyes owning the advantage 47-34 in Columbus. The Hoosiers won both meetings a year ago. Ohio State has won three of the last five contests in the series. Sophomore Evan Turner leads the Buckeyes with 11 points a game in two career meetings vs. the Hoosiers. He averages 29 minutes a game vs. IU and is shooting 41 percent from the field (7-17) and averages 6.0 rebounds a game.

The Buckeyes are 3-2 vs. Indiana at Value City arena and coach Thad Matta is 3-5 vs. the Hoosiers during his career. Both teams enter the game unranked for the first time since the 2004-05 season when Ohio State defeated the Hoosiers 57-44 at Value city Arena (2/15/05) in Matta's first year in Columbus.

Tonight's game Ohio State (11-3, 1-2) vs. Indiana (5-10, 0-3) in the Value City Arena (19,049) will be televised by ESPN at 7 p.m.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: The Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2,1-1) face Michigan State (11-2, 2-0) tonight in the Breslin Center. The game will be televised on ESPN2 at 7 p.m.

Michigan State leads the all-time series vs. the Buckeyes 56-48 with a record of 35-15 over Ohio State in East Lansing. Ohio State has won four of the last six meetings in the series, including two at the Breslin Center. Thad Matta is 4-4 overall vs. the Spartans since taking over the Ohio State program at the start of the 2004-05 season.

This is the 97th season of Big Ten membership in men's basketball for the Buckeyes. Ohio State is 673-646 all-time vs. Big Ten Conference opponents.

Ohio State has opened five seasons at 9-0 or better after the Buckeyes downed Asheville Dec. 22, 83-59 in columbus. thad Matta has guided Ohio State in two of those seasons. The four previous 9-0 or better starts have resulted in NCAA tournament appearances for Ohio State.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: The members of the Ohio State University football team arrived in sunny Phoenix, Ariz., Monday from all parts of the U.S. to continue preparation for their Jan. 5th Tostitos Fiesta Bowl encounter against Texas.

Head Coach Jim Tressel, the coaching staff and approximately 30 football players reconvened Monday morning at 7 a.m. at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and then bussed to Rickenbacker to board a charter flight of just under four hours to Phoenix. The other members of the team flew in from their hometowns or nearest hometown airport. All but a handful of players arrived in time for the team's 3:30 p.m. meeting followed by practice at Pinnacle High School in Scottsdale. The Buckeyes and their traveling party are staying at the Fairmont Scottsdale.

Tressel met briefly with the media upon the team's arrival at a media tent set up on the tarmac at Sky Harbor International Airport. He expressed appreciation to the contingent of Yellow Jackets - the official Fiesta Bowl committee members - for inviting the Buckeyes once again to their bowl and was appreciative of the clear blue skies and warm sunchine that greeted the team. In addition to the Yellow Jackets, a mariachi band serenaded the guests from Columbus as they were deplaning.

Today's schedule includes an 11 a.m. practice. Forcast for the week is a good one: Temperatures each day are expected to reach the high 60s to low 70s with plenty of sunshine - perfect weather to prepare for a big-time battle against the Texas Longhorns.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: The Buckeyes are back in a BCS bowl game for the fourth-straight year and the sixth time under head coach Jim Tressel. Ohio State finished No. 10 in the final BCS standings and will play No. 3 Texas in the Fiesta Bowl at 8 p.m. ET, Monday, Jan. 5 2009 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

The Buckeyes fiished 10-2 and 7-1 in the Big Ten, winning a share of its fourth-consecutive Big Ten title. Texas finished 11-1 and 7-1 in the Big 12 South in a three-way tie with Oklahoma and Texas Tech.

Ohio State has now qualified for seven BCS games in the 11-year history of the system, which is tied with USC and Oklahoma for the lead among all programs.

The game will mark just the third meeting all-time between the Buckeyes and Longhorns after the two teams faced each other in 2005 and 2006. Texas won, 25-22, in 2005 in Columbus and Ohio State, 24-7, the next year in Austin.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor and All-American linebacker James Laurinaitis were named this week as Sporting News magazine's respective Freshman of the Year and Defensive Most Valuable Player in the Big Ten Conference.

Taking over as Ohio State's starting quarterback in Week 4 this season, Pryor led the Buckeyes to an 8-1 record as a starter and was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. The Jeannette, Pa., native passed for 1,245 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for an additional 553 yards and six scores this season.

Laurinaitis repeated as Big Ten Defender of the Year this season and also was named a consensus All-American for the second consecutive year. He was also selected as the winner of the Lott Trophy as college football's impact player of the year. Laurinaitis, from Hamel, Minn., was also a finalist this season for the Lombardi, Bednarik, Walter Camp Player of the Year and Lowes Senior CLASS awards, respectivly. He ranks seventh at Ohio State with 366 career tackles.

Also this week, Ohio State defensive back Malcolm Jenkins was selected as the recipient of the 2008 Jim Thorpe Award, given each year to the nation's top defensive back. Antoine Winfield was the only other Buckeyes' defensive back to take home the award in 1998.

Jenkins cemented his status in Buckeyes lore with his third straight selection to the All-Big Ten team after a season that saw him collect three interceptions.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Ohio State will face Texas for the third time in four years in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Jan. 5 in Glendale, Arizona. The game will mark just the third meeting all-time between the Buckeyes and Longhorns after the two teams faced each other in 2005 and 2006. Texas won, 25-22, in 2005 in Columbus and Ohio State, 24-7, the next year in Austin.

Ohio State has an 18-21 record in bowl games, dating back to the 1921 Rose Bowl, where the Buckeyes were defeated 28-0 by California. The Buckeyes have appeared in 11 different bowl games during their storied history. The Buckeyes are 4-2 in six BCS game appearances. Ohio State holds a 14-18 record in bowl games played on New Year's Day or later. Under Jim Tressel, Ohio State is 4-3 in bowl games.

The Buckeyes will be making their sixth appearance in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The Buckeyes have won four consecutive Tostitos Fiesta Bowl games. Coach Jim tressel will be making his fifth Fiesta Bowl appearance and his fourth as the head coach. He is 4-0 in Fiesta Bowl games, including a 31-24 double-overtime win over Miami in the 2003 national championship. He was the quarterbacks, receivers and running backs coach for the Buckeyes when they defeated Pittsburgh in the 1984 Fiesta Bowl.

The Buckeyes finished 10th in the final BCS poll released Dec. 8 and also in the Ap and Coaches polls. Texas finished No. 3 in all three polls.

Ohio State is one of only 15 teams in the nation to have 10 wins for the 2008 season. The Buckeyes are among 71 teams nationally that are bowl eligible, having reached Win No. 6 Oct. 11 against Purdue.

Ohio State will wear its white jerseys and use the west bench on game day. Texas will wear its dark jerseys and use the east bench on game day.

Go Bucks!!!

Jody Victor