In a season where Ohio State’s offensive incompetence was an inherent and ultimately fatal defect, its members have vowed to be attentive aggressors.
“I think everybody just has a mindset this year that we’re not gonna take any plays off on the offensive end,” senior guard Shannon Scott said.
“We played so hard on defense for the last couple years that we kind of forgot about offense. This year, we know when we get the ball we’re gonna attack every time.”
For the Buckeyes — which were sometimes miserable shooting the ball before falling to Dayton in the first round of the NCAA tournament last year — it’s the kind of comment that’s emblematic of a team that lacked a reliable go-to scorer and a supporting cast of players who could consistently shoot the basketball.
When it often mattered most, head coach Thad Matta’s crew — which finished its campaign 10-10 after roaring out to a 15-0 start against largely inferior competition — couldn’t deliver buckets in a rugged Big Ten conference. This doomed a season that started with championship aspirations.
“I think last year, we would play the same way at times and players didn’t know if they wanted to shoot the ball or not,” Scott said.
“I think this year, everybody knows that when they touch the ball it’s gonna be their shot and they’ve gotta make a shot.”
In a 74-63 win against Marquette Tuesday night, Ohio State shot 65 percent from the field — and a scorching 70 percent in the second half — and had five players score at least eight points.
“It’s just the simple fact that everybody came in and contributed in some aspect of the game,” Scott said. “It’s a great feeling and I think everybody has a better understanding this year of what their role is.”
While that’s still a fluid situation two games into the season, the Buckeyes got help from every corner of their once-anemic offense.
Redshirt freshman guard Kam Williams led the way with 15 points. Senior center Amir Williams added 12, senior forward Sam Thompson and sophomore forward Marc Loving had 10, and senior guard Shannon Scott chipped in eight points.
“I thought everybody who came in the game gave us a boost, a push, a burst of energy,” Matta said, “and I don’t know if we’ll be able to keep this going the whole way through, but I thought it was a good night.”
Still, it’s reflective of an Ohio State team that could be headed in an efficient and productive direction.
“Like I said, we’re probably not going to do this every single time out, but I like the fact that guys at an early age seem to understand where their shots are hopefully going to come from,” Matta said. “That’s something we spend a lot of time on … I thought guys are kind of coming into their own.”
That’s critical for a young squad still molding an identity, but at least one thing is certain.
“We’re all attacking every time we touch the ball,” Scott said, “and that makes it a lot easier for all of us.”
