Did You Know?
Ohio State
March 9, 2007
On March 10, 2002, Ohio State became the fourth different school to win the Big Ten Tournament after downing Iowa, 81-64, in the championship finals. OSU entered the tourney tied for the fewest wins in Tournament action, however, the Buckeyes defeated Michigan and Illinois before advancing to their first-ever Conference Tournament final against Iowa.
Big Ten Freshman and Defensive Player of the Year Greg Oden led the Buckeyes to a 63-54 win over the Spartans this February, marking the first time Ohio State had won back-to-back games in East Lansing, Mich., in more than 35 years.
Most people think Mike Conley, Oden's friend since sixth grade and teammate from Indiana's Lawrence North High School, followed the big man to Columbus. But Conley carved his own niche as an AAU player and as a Buckeye, starting in all 31 games, including today's Big Ten Tournament opener against Michigan. Before moving to Indiana after the fifth grade, Conley won several age-group AAU national championships in Arkansas.
Conley, who was a media pick for All-Big Ten first team, set a new Ohio State single-season record with 191 assists. He passed Curtis Wilson's 9-year-old record of 188 set during his senior season. He currently ranks sixth in the nation in assists per game (6.4) and is also in the top 25 in steals (2.3 spg).
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