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He doesn't have the catchy nickname of his mate in the Buckeyes' backcourt, but Redd has been just as important as that other guy during Ohio State's resurgence this year.
Redd, still just a sophomore, was the Buckeyes' leading scorer this season, at 19.6 points a game. Those numbers were actually down from his freshman season, when he averaged 22 points -- and a back-breaking 39 minutes -- in Ohio State's eight-win season.
Everything changed with the addition of point guard James "Scoonie" Penn, who has taken the heat off Redd and given the Buckeyes maybe the most dangerous pair of guards in the country.
"That is a credit to Michael because he was the star and now he is sharing the limelight. There could have been some friction if Michael had not been as mature," coach Jim O'Brien said earlier this season. "Michael has accepted Scoonie with open arms and that has made him a better player."
Redd has flourished in the Buckeyes' romp to St. Petersburg, averaging 22 points a game (on nearly 48 percent shooting) in Ohio State's four wins. He had 22 points and 10 rebounds when Ohio State bumped off top-seed Auburn, then 20 points and six rebounds when the Buckeyes beat St. John's.
He's not a particularly good free-throw shooter -- he made only 61 percent during the season, and has made just 58 percent during the tournament -- but his ability to get to the basket has made this hometown favorite the Buckeyes' biggest threat.
So who needs a catchy nickname?
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