Crater will leave OSU

12/29/2008

COLUMBUS - Anthony Crater, a prized recruit who has appeared in all 10 games for No. 15 Ohio State this season, has been granted a release from his scholarship.

Buckeyes coach Thad Matta announced the surprise decision yesterday. The 6-foot-1 freshman point guard from Flint, Mich., requested the release.

Crater had 12 points and 19 assists for the Buckeyes (9-1). In Ohio State's first loss of the season, a 76-48 setback to West Virginia at home on Saturday, Crater played 12 minutes.

Matta did not know Crater's plans.

NO. 1 NORTH CAROLINA 97, RUTGERS 75

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Tyler Hansbrough had 26 points and 10 rebounds, as North Carolina earned a school-record 12th straight double-figure victory.

Ty Lawson had 19 points and Danny Green 18 for the Tar Heels (12-0).

Freshman Mike Rosario scored 26 points for Rutgers (9-4).

No. 10 Purdue 59, valparaiso 45

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - E'Twaun Moore scored 14 points to help Purdue (11-2) take its sixth straight win.

Urule Igbavboa and Jake Diebler each scored 13 for Valparaiso (3-9.

No. 13 UCLA 78,

Louisiana Tech 55

LOS ANGELES - Josh Shipp returned from a two-game absence to score 16 points, and UCLA (10-2) never trailed. Magnum Rolle led Louisiana Tech (6-7) with 17 points.

No. 23 Minnesota 82,

High Point 56

MINNEAPOLIS - Ralph Sampson III scored a career-high 17 points for Minnesota (12-0), off to its best start in 60 seasons.