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Redd trying not to think about it Saturday's Senior Night game could be his last
Posted: Monday February 21, 2000 07:31 PM
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Michael Redd said he has not decided whether he will return to Ohio State for his senior season next year. As a matter of fact, he said he's trying not to even think about it. "After the season's over, I'm going to think what the options are and talk to my family about it and make my decision," the 6-foot-6 swingman said Monday. Current seniors Scoonie Penn, George Reese and Ken Johnson will play their final home game Sunday against Illinois. Redd, the leading scorer for No. 6 Ohio State, said he can't help but think that it might be his last game in Value City Arena as well. "During the game on Sunday, I'm just going to think about it and whatever happens, happens," he said. "But I really can't afford to think about the next level or the next year yet because I've still got games to play this year." Redd, who has scored in double figures in 85 of 88 career games, leads the Buckeyes at 16.5 points a game. Despite speculation that he considered coming out for the NBA draft after his sophomore season, right after helping to power Ohio State on a surprise run to the Final Four, Redd said there was never a doubt he was returning. "It was automatic," he said. Redd said his future can be a distraction if he allows it to be. "I can't think about it," he said. "It clutters my mind during games if I think about, 'Oh, I could be first round, top 10.' If you're not thinking about the game, you start missing all kinds of shots and doing stuff that I normally wouldn't do in a game." Redd said he is unconcerned about questions about his outside shooting. He has struggled most of the season with his outside shot and is hitting just 42 percent from the field. He had 28 points and hit five free throws down the stretch on Saturday as Ohio State beat then-No. 10 Indiana, 82-71. Redd shares this week's Big Ten player of the week award. Redd said there have always been people who doubted his play, even when he became the first and only freshman to lead the Big Ten in scoring two years ago, or last year when he shot 61 percent on free throws even as Ohio State rolled through the NCAA tournament. He is now shooting 81 percent at the line. "Since my freshman year, somebody always has had something to say about my game," he said. "It's like water off my back. This year, they talk about the percentage. Last year, it was free throws. The year before that, free throws and he's young and gunning on a weak team. There's always going to be something there. Always." Even though Ohio State loses Penn, it's inspirational leader and point guard, and shot-blocking big man Johnson, Redd said if he returned he was convinced the Buckeyes would still be "a tremendous team." Redd, a Columbus native, also said he would like to return because he stands to break many of Ohio State's career scoring records. He ranks seventh on the career list with 1,741 points. Dennis Hopson leads with 2,096 points. Asked if passing Hopson would be incentive to come back, Redd said, "Oh yeah. A young kid from West High School, who would have ever thought he'd come in and shatter so many records? It crosses my mind, but I really can't concentrate on it too much and let it clutter my mind. But it would be a great honor to get all the records next year."
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