Buckeyes face tall task in NIT
Ohio State plays host to UNC-Asheville tonight, which features a 7-foot-7 center.
COLUMBUS (AP) — To get an idea of what Ohio State is up against in the first round of the NIT on Tuesday night, consider that 7-footer Kosta Koufos will look like a point guard next to the opposing center.
“I’ve played against a couple of guys 7-3, 7-4, but not 7-7,” Koufos said. “I saw a couple of YouTube videos of him last night. He’s a pretty big guy.”
When UNC-Asheville comes to town for tonight’s NIT game against the Buckeyes, the Bulldogs will feature 7-7, 360-pound center Kenny George, the tallest college player in the nation.
Asked if George can jump, Buckeyes coach Thad Matta responded, “He doesn’t need to.”
The Buckeyes are scheming over how to play against a guy who can dunk the ball without leaving his feet.
George may be the focal point for fans, but not really for opposing teams. He has started only one game and plays just under 20 minutes a game. But he still averages 12.4 points and 6.9 rebounds a game.
Like George, Ohio State forward Evan Turner grew up in Chicago. He first encountered the giant when he was walking into a YMCA gym. He noticed a guy on crutches who was 7-3 with a size 22 shoe.
“Then I woke up one morning [this year] and I saw highlights of their game against North Carolina and I saw Kenny George and I thought, ‘Wow. He got taller!’ ” Turner said.
Matta first noticed George earlier this season when watching film leading up to the Buckeyes’ game against Tennessee, which had already played Asheville.
He said he would notice the Volunteers’ 6-9 Wayne Chism or Ryan Childress standing next to George, looking much like peewee league players asking him for an autograph.
“He’s as advertised,” Matta said. “I don’t think they fudged his height at all. He’s huge.”
George leads the nation in field goal percentage at 69 percent. He also averages about four blocked shots a game.
Koufos said he’s not intimidated.
“I’m excited for tomorrow,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it. We don’t match up pound for pound, but I feel we’ve got a good chance.”
Koufos has been mentioned as a possible first-round draft pick by the NBA, should he decide to leave Ohio State after his freshman year. He is averaging 13.8 points a game, second-best on the team to Jamar Butler’s 14.5, and also is averaging 6.8 rebounds a game.
He said Monday he isn’t thinking about his future right now and is concentrating only on the Buckeyes’ next game.
The Bulldogs (23-9) are led by senior guards Bryan Smithson (16.4 points a game) and K.J. Garland (13.4).
Although Asheville was disappointed to not make the NCAA field, it is eager to be coming to Ohio State.
“We are very excited about being in the NIT,” coach Eddie Biedenbach said. “We were a little disappointed in losing the Big South Conference championship game [a 66-48 loss at home to Winthrop 10 days ago] but we’re excited about [the NIT].”
Ohio State (19-13) held out hope of making it into the NCAA tournament until the last of the 65 teams was announced Sunday night. Now the Buckeyes swear that they’re looking forward to extending their season in the NIT.
“I don’t think that’ll be a big problem with this team,” senior point guard Jamar Butler said. “We’re fortunate to be able to play in the NIT. Some teams, they’re done. They can’t play until next year. We’ll try to make the most of us and hopefully win it.”
Matta said he hadn’t spoken to his players yet but assumed they’d be motivated to play well.
“I hope that’s their mind-set. That’s the way I feel,” he said. “It’s another opportunity to play a game, to compete. You look at the field and say, ‘Wow, this is a heck of a tournament here.’ ”