Schottenstein + Scoonie = success?

Ohio State is about to find out.

When the Buckeyes take the court against Oakland tomorrow night, it'll be at the Value City Arena, a part of the $106.5 million Jerome Schottenstein Center. The center, which seats 19,500 fans for basketball games, is complete with one toilet for every 47 spectators, 5,652 light fixtures and 12 miles of refrigerated piping (the arena is also used for hockey).

Cement trucks poured 3,888 full loads of cement during construction, and there are 52 luxury suites that can be reserved for a mere $45,000 a year.

"In my mind, I can't imagine a nicer on-campus facility in the country," Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien said. "I'm ecstatic to be playing in the new center."

And, even though the Buckeyes haven't played a game in the Schottenstein Center yet, it's already paying dividends.

"All three (of our new recruits) committed after unofficial visits, and I'm sure the building had something to do with that," O'Brien said.

But the Schottenstein Center likely won't see a winner just yet. The Buckeyes finished dead last in the Big Ten last year, with a 1-15 record, and 8-22 overall.

"Last year was a huge struggle, from beginning to end," O'Brien said. "Especially when we got into Big Ten play."

But the Buckeyes have a lot of young talent, including last year's Big Ten freshman of the year, Michael Redd, and 1996 Big East freshman of the year Scoonie Penn, who sat out last season after transferring from Boston College. Redd, a 6-foot-5 guard from Columbus, led the Big Ten in scoring last year, averaging 21.9 points per game. He added 6.5 rebounds per game. Penn averaged 13.2 points, 3.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game in his one season with Boston College.

"Everybody will benefit from Scoonie," O'Brien said. "He can drive past you and loves to pass the ball. He will help other players get shots."

With Penn and the influx of three freshmen, the Buckeyes will look to use their newfound depth in a more aggressive style of play.

"We'll play a lot more players and a little different style," O'Brien said. "We'll be more aggressive on defense and look to push the ball more."

In the post, the Buckeyes will look to center Ken Johnson. The 6-foot-11 junior from Detroit averaged 6.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game last year, and blocked 58 shots. With Penn distributing the ball, though, he should get more opportunities under the basket.

"He has to be a little more productive than last year and I think he will be," O'Brien said. "If he can be a presence under the basket and score when he gets the opportunities, then we'll be fine."

- Josh Kleinbaum

Another improbable run not likely for no-name Illini

He watched its run to a share of the Big Ten title with admiration and respect.

This was because Illinois was a team, in the truest sense of the word.

They didn't have a superstar, but every member of the Fighting Illini had a role, which they played to near-perfection.

There was shooting guard Kevin Turner, the group's scorer, who turned in 17.7 points per game.

There was fiery point guard Matt Heldman, a long-range threat who kept the Illini functioning as a cohesive unit.

And there were Jarrod Gee, Jerry Hester and Brian Johnson, versatile players that rounded out a team that went 13-3 in the Big Ten and tied for the conference title with Michigan State.

Ellerbe points to that Illinois team as an inspiration for this year's Wolverines. Both groups were slapped with some unfavorable preseason predictions, and Ellerbe has recently said that this year's Michigan team can be a lot like Illinois was last year.

Emphasis on 'last year.'

Because this year, the Illini stand devastated by graduation.

All five starters were seniors and when they graduated, they took 84 percent of the Illini's scoring with them.

Sophomore forward Sergio McClain is Illinois' leading returning scorer, contributing just 3.5 points per game last year.

Forward Victor Chukwudebe and guard Arias Davis are the only other returners that saw notable action last season.

"There aren't many faces returning and not a lot of roles are predetermined," Illinois coach Lon Kruger said. "Who's going to score points? It'll be more of a six, seven-man effort."

And while Ellerbe would like his Wolverines to resemble last year's Illinois squad, the fact is that Michigan is more similar to this year's Illini - both teams need some unproven talent to assume some of the scoring burden.

Illinois will rely heavily on freshmen and junior college transfers this year. Cleotis Brown, a 6-4, 220-pound guard that transferred from Southern Union Community College (Ala.), is recovering from a stress fracture in his left foot and should start in the backcourt.

Freshmen Robert Archibald (6-10, 215) and Damir Krupalija (6-8, 215) will look to fill up the paint for Illinois.

The Illini also landed Frank Williams, last year's Mr. Basketball in the state of Illinois, but Williams failed to qualify academically. He is allowed to practice with the team, but will not play in games.

Kruger will test his team early, throwing the young squad up against the likes of Kansas, Missouri, Clemson and Wake Forest before they begin Big Ten play.

"If we get knocked around early, we won't get discouraged," Kruger said. "It's probably not good for our won/loss record, but it's fun to play people like that."

It might not be so fun if Illinois is saddled with seven or eight losses coming into conference play.

- Andy Latack

11-12-98