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Butler's job includes shutting down top scorers

'I like challenges. If you don't like a challenge, you're not a player,' Ohio State junior says.

By Mark Gokavi

Staff Writer

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

COLUMBUS — Jamar Butler has become Ohio State's lead dog for defending opponents' scoring guards.

That's quite a change from high school, when he just dogged it.

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"I played no defense," Butler said Tuesday at the Schottenstein Center. "I just shot the ball. That's all I did."

When he got to Ohio State, Butler said coach Thad Matta had a simple message.

"If you don't defend, you're not going to play," Butler recalled. "I had it in me. I knew I could play defense. I just didn't do it."

Now a junior, Butler often spends time guarding scorers like Tennessee's Chris Lofton, who scored 23 points in a 68-66 OSU win on Jan. 13.

"I don't think I played really well against Tennessee," said Butler, who had two points and four turnovers that day. "I think that was one of my worst games of the year."

Butler knows he can't pitch a shutout in Thursday's rematch, but he wants the Vols guard to work hard.

"Just try to contain Lofton," Butler said of his plan. "You're not going to hold a player like that scoreless."

Matta credits ex-Buckeye Je'Kel Foster for Butler's defensive improvement.

"Jamar has a makeup of being a good defender," Matta said. "He's got quickness. I think he's got strength. And he's a tough kid."

Matta trusts Butler to excel in tough matchups. Now, the guy who played no defense in high school takes pride in it.

"I like challenges. If you don't like a challenge, you're not a player," Butler said. "Any time your coach puts you on the best player, it gives you confidence and you believe you can defend."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951

or mgokavi@daytondailynews.com.