Buckeyes' reserves lead way

Ohio State shook up its lineup in a 69-50 win over Eastern Illinois.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Ohio State's roster is filled with big-name recruits. It might have taken a walk-on freshman from a small high school to show them how to play.
Nick Dials hit two critical 3-pointers and showed hustle at both ends of the floor as Ohio State turned its roster upside down to beat Eastern Illinois 69-50 on Tuesday night.
"I tried to work hard like I do in practice," said Dials, a walk on in October who subsequently earned a scholarship. "It leaves the message for everybody else to work hard also."
Thoroughly displeased with the defense, shot selection and effort of his first unit, Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien started a lineup against Eastern Illinois (1-7) that included Velimir Radinovic, three former walk-ons and a seldom-used big man, Matt Marinchick. Other than Radinovic, a senior captain, the other starters had a combined 19 games this season in which they had not played at all.
Early lead
Dials and Ugo Nwankwo each hit 3-pointers and Nwankwo added another basket as the Buckeyes (6-4) broke out to an 11-7 lead.
Shortly before a timeout at the 15:21 mark, the five players who usually start for Ohio State stood up and headed for the scorer's table to check in. Most in a crowd of 13,180 booed loudly.
"I'm not so certain that booing was directed at the guys coming in. I think it was more a sign of support for the guys going out," O'Brien said.
The Buckeyes were embarrassed 75-59 by Seton Hall on Saturday, although their bench scored 36 points.
"That might be a first-time thing, getting booed," said Brandon Fuss-Cheatham, who failed to start at point guard for the first time this season. "That was kind of tough, but the last couple of games we haven't been playing the way we're supposed to."
Standing ovation
As the five stand-in starters left the floor, they received a lengthy standing ovation.
"Coach was trying to rack his brain to figure out about what he had to do with the team," said Radinovic, who led the Buckeyes with 16 points. "We just needed an attitude adjustment. I think we responded pretty well."
The Buckeyes led 36-21 at the half, totaling nine assists -- five more than they had in the entire Seton Hall game.
Even visiting coach Rick Samuels was impressed by the subs who received promotions.
"We've been reading all along that he [O'Brien] wasn't happy and that there could be some changes in the lineup," Samuels said. "Actually, those guys played pretty well."
Hot shooting Buckeyes
Dials opened the second half with a 3-pointer and Ohio State went on to lead by as many as 22 points. The Buckeyes shot 55 percent from the field in the second half and topped 50 percent (51.1) in a game for only the fourth time this season.
"Nick is a hustler," Fuss-Cheatham said. "He's that guy in practice that everybody hates. He's there, diving on the floor."
Aaron Patterson scored 15 points for the Panthers, who lost their third in a row.
Dials finished with nine points on 3-of-6 3-pointers, while Nwankwo had five and Marinchick three points.
Fuss-Cheatham, Ricardo Billings and Ivan Harris each added seven points and Tony Stockman had six.
The Buckeyes finished with a season-best 17 assists showing that, at least for a game, they were unselfish.