The NIT : Ohio State’s Coach Wary of the Garden

Ohio State’s role as the National Invitation Tournament favorite fails to ease fears Buckeye Coach Gary Williams has about playing in Madison Square Garden.

The Buckeyes, neglected by the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. tournament selection committee despite victories over Illinois, Iowa, Purdue and Michigan, face Colorado State tonight in the semifinals of the NIT at 4 p.m. PST. Boston College and Connecticut, which each posted three NIT victories after finishing at the bottom of the Big East race, play in the second semifinal.

Williams coached Boston College for four seasons before moving to Ohio State two years ago. In his final three seasons at Boston College, the Eagles were eliminated from the Big East Conference Tournament at the Garden in the quarterfinal round.

Ohio State (19-12) went 9-9 in the Big Ten. The omission of the Buckeyes was considered one of the most questionable decisions by the NCAA committee.

“I think every team starts out trying to get to the NCAA, and it’s always disappointing when you don’t get in,” Williams said. “I think that’s what motivates our team: The opportunity to play and show people how good we are.”

The Buckeyes, who won the NIT in 1986 for fired coach Eldon Miller, advanced to the semifinals with a victory over New Mexico at “The Pit,” where Final Four participant Arizona lost this season. Colorado State Coach Boyd Grant led Fresno State to the NIT title in 1983.

Grant brought Colorado State (21-13) its first postseason bid in 19 years in his first season as coach of the Rams. He said he knows “absolutely zero” about the Buckeyes, who are led by guard Jay Burson with 19 points per game.

“I watched the second half when they beat Purdue,” Grant said. “My son told me they have this little guy (Burson) who shoots the eye out of it.”