Loving’s legacy

• Career averages: 10.0 points, 3.8 rebounds • 27th OSU player with 1,000 points (1,321) and 500 rebounds (507) • Will tie Jerry Francis (198689) today for 10th-most games played at OSU (133) Heintschel said. “I knew there would be people who would read that as not caring, but that’s not true. That’s just Marc. If he’s in a tough situation and he comes through it looks good, and if things don’t go so well it looks like, ‘Does he really care?’ Absolutely he cares. He’s passionate about the game.”

It’s just how Loving said he’s been taught to approach the game: Don’t let your opponent gain an edge by seeing your emotions.

Through it all, while other players have been pulled from the lineup for poor play Loving has started every game during the past two seasons whether he was playing well or not. Matta said he’s not exactly sure why, but that “he’s made tremendous growth in his body language.” Friday, he praised Loving for showing tremendous leadership during Thursday’s practice.

That’s the kind of moment those around the program say happens often away from the television cameras. It’s also one that reflects the complicated legacy of Loving.

“Everyone says I don’t show a lot of emotion, which I feel like I’ve gotten a little better at that,” he said. “As far as communication, I didn’t talk on the court as much either.

“How would I want (the fans) to see me? I don’t know. I’m definitely a scorer. That’s pretty much what got me here. I would just say as someone who wanted to progress on a day-to-day basis and who really took pride in wanting the best for the team.”