By the end of the most recent Ohio State men's basketball season, you could tell Thad Matta was ready for a change.
As the Buckeyes limped to the 2015 NCAA Tournament, dropping four of their last eight games including an 11-point loss to Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals, Matta grew visibly more frustrated.
"Their defense, guys didn't stay with the system, we didn't keep running what we wanted to run," Matta said in the locker room following the March 13 loss to the Spartans. "We had to move them, we had to move them and we didn't do a good enough job with that."
Matta spoke often last year about his guys veering from the offensive scheme, typically caused by frustration when a series of shots didn't go in or calls didn't go their way. It pained him almost as much as he ailing back and foot problems.
No matter how much his players talked about ratcheting back and doing as they were told, Matta knew it was going to be tough to advance deep in the NCAA Tournament.
"I don't want to lose the game or anything like that. I'll be interested to see how these guys respond, we come back and find out who we're playing," Matta said after the Michigan State loss. "As you know it's the biggest thing, hopefully we're ready to play and got our minds back."
They did top VCU in overtime, 75-72, in the second round in Portland, Ore., but they went quietly two days later to second-seeded Arizona, 73-58.
Fans always want to know what's next for their favorite teams following season-ending losses, and after super freshman D'Angelo Russell declared for the 2015 NBA Draft, Matta knew his team would have a brand new look to it next season.
Along with Russell's departure, Ohio State loses five seniors, four of whom were in Columbus their entire careers and Temple graduate transfer Anthony Lee. Back-to-back double digit loss seasons and early exits in the tournament incite a needed facelift to the program with the mass exodus of players, but Gene Smith doesn't want you to forget where Ohio State was prior to Matta's takeover in 2004.
"It's funny, I reminded, I don't know where we were but what we've been fortunate to have with conference championships, NCAA runs, two Final Fours, you think about what he's done with our basketball program over his 11-year tenure, we've gotten to a point where we're having this conversation," Smith told Eleven Warriors May 14. "Prior to him, we weren't having these conversations."
Prior to him, Ohio State basketball had seen success under Jim O'Brien, only to have it ripped down due to NCAA sanctions after the coach provided improper benefits to recruits. The majority of victories from four consecutive 20-win seasons from 1998-2002 were vacated and O'Brien was fired by Ohio State after posting back-to-back years with at least 15 losses. Things were bad.
"I don't know where we were but what we've been fortunate to have with conference championships, NCAA runs, two Final Fours, you think about what he's done with our basketball program over his 11-year tenure, we've gotten to a point where we're having this conversation. Prior to him, we weren't having these conversations."– Gene Smith
"What I'm reminding him and reminding my team all the time is we have to understand that basketball's balance is a little bit more delicate," Smith said.
Matta's success speaks for itself, though, as Smith said. A pair of Final Fours and national title game appearance, five regular season Big Ten championships, four Big Ten Conference Tournament championships and 299 wins over 11 seasons — a school record.
"I love coaching basketball and I love Ohio State University," Matta said after Ohio State's 79-73 win against Minnesota at the Big Ten Tournament made him the winningest coach in school history. "Every day to have the opportunity to lead those guys into battle, I cherish those moments."
Still cherishing going to work each day along with a breath of fresh air in the form of a young team has Matta primed for season No. 12 at Ohio State, one that could be the start of something his boss has seen absent in recent years.
"I think, I feel confident that we have the type of players that kind of fit more his style," Smith said. "Nothing against his former players, just the reality is you need some continuity so they can stay connected."
It looks like Ohio State could have that, with players like Jae'Sean Tate, Kam Williams and a slew of fresh blood entering the program that look like four-year players with some gumption.
"It's perfect," Smith said.
