COLUMBUS - During Ohio State's high-profile run to the Final Four, it has often been the Greg Oden show. The seven-foot freshman center has supplied thunder with his malicious dunks, each with its own hang-time clause, and his fly swatter blocks.

But an obscure entry in those NCAA tournament box scores shows that while the Buckeyes might be built around Oden, they have been riding someone else to Atlanta and Saturday's meeting with Georgetown.

Ohio State (34-3) has endured extended spells without a suddenly foul-prone Oden - and survived. But the guy the Buckeyes absolutely, positively can not function without, the guy playing below the rim and taking up a foot less vertical space than Oden, is Mike Conley Jr.

In Ohio State's three closest tournament games, Conley has hardly left the floor. In the South Region final against Memphis, he never came out of the game.

"Coaches love guys that they can really trust out there, and Mike gives you that kind of feeling," Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. "There is a certain stability that comes when he's got the ball in his hands. And that confidence, that under-control feeling is a contagious thing. He just makes everyone else that much better."

Conley logged 43 minutes in the second-round overtime win against Xavier. After passing the ball to Ron Lewis, who hit the shot to force overtime, Conley started the extra period with a 3-pointer, then blocked a shot, grabbed a rebound, and threaded his way to a couple of layups on consecutive possessions.

In two minutes, Xavier was down five and never recovered, with Conley scoring 11 of Ohio State's 16 points in overtime.

"He took over that game," Lewis said. "It was like Mike was playing at one speed, and the guys trying to guard him were moving at a slower speed."

In the regional semifinal win last weekend over Tennessee, Conley helped pull the Buckeyes back from 20 points down. His free throw with six seconds left allowed Ohio State to advance with a one-point win.

"We had a difficult time covering Conley," Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said after Conley's constant gear-shifting and attack-retreat-attack mode had the Volunteers sending him to the foul line 14 times. "Conley's ability to get to the foul line helps you win games. Conley does a great job of drawing fouls."

Two nights later, Conley was the only player on the floor to go the entire 40 minutes as the Buckeyes turned back Memphis. He drove the Tigers crazy by changing speeds on his moves to the basket, and went 9-of-10 from the free throw line.

Memphis coach John Calipari went so far as to instruct his team to not attempt to steal the ball from Conley.

"Because you're not going to get it," Calipari said. "The ball is on a string."

The taller, more physical Memphis guards never tracked him down. Conley said he uses his speed and elusiveness to keep from getting hemmed in by bigger players.

"Speed definitely is a big part of my game," Conley said. "It keeps the defense unbalanced and we are able to control what the defense is doing. I love it because it works."

Against Georgetown, the Buckeyes likely will need Conley to play close to 40 minutes, keep the Hoyas guessing with his frenetic assaults, and distribute the ball in a manner that makes Ohio State nearly impossible to defend.

"I like getting everyone involved," Conley said. "If the opportunity is there, that's fine, but I don't need to score a lot. I think we are at our best when we spread the ball around. That keeps everyone confident and focused."

Contact Matt Markey at:

mmarkey@theblade.com

or 419-724-6510.

First Published March 29, 2007, 11:18 a.m.