Ohio State's up and down transitional season finally came to a close Sunday when the Buckeyes fell in the second round of the NIT to Florida, 74-66.
Thad Matta's club finished 21-14 on the year. The head coach joined Paul Keels and Ron Stokes for the final edition of his weekly radio show on 97.1 The Fan to discuss the last bit of the season and what the future holds for his program.
Notes:
- "I think getting a win and a good win, in terms of an overtime win, just an extra week and something to continue to teach these guys was definitely a good thing for us." — Thad Matta on beating Akron to advance to the second round of the NIT.
- Matta said he and his staff noticed Keita Bates-Diop being lethargic as early as the Big Ten Tournament. He said Bates-Diop played a decent bit while he was not feeling well, trying to be there for his team. Bates-Diop was diagnosed with mono Saturday.
- Bates-Diop's illness and Jae'Sean Tate's shoulder injury prevented the team from growing as far as Matta wanted it to, but you can never plan for injuries. Not having those players in the lineup meant Ohio State was playing without its two best defenders at the end of the year.
- Matta said he doesn't think the emotions at the end of a season are ever the same because each team is different. That is especially the case this year, because everyone is still struggling with it being over, but there are no seniors.
- More on that point, Matta said it was "even more unique" that the season ended on Ohio State's home floor.
- Matta said he and the team sat down together recently and asked each player what he learned this year. The coaching staff did the same thing Monday.
- The coaching staff said it had a feeling it would be an up and down season this year, but at the same time there is a maturity aspect that needs to continue to be grasped with such a young roster. Things like being coachable, putting the effort in at all times and doing things in the offseason to be better individually are "crucial." Matta mentioned the careers of Jamar Butler, David Lighty and Jon Diebler specifically and how each guy got better throughout.
- Matta also brought up Michigan State guard Denzel Valentine and how he developed and had a great senior season that culminated in a Big Ten Player of the Year award: "There's just handful of those special guys that can leave early and go to the NBA."
- Matta said those players that "see the big picture" and trust the development process throughout their career have the most success. Not everyone can be a one-and-done player and head straight to the pros.
- Some guys have adifferent mentality between the guys that want to be good and those guys that say they want to be good, Matta said: "I remember hearing that LeBron James was going on a weeklong cruise after a season with his family, but he wouldn't leave until he knew the ship had a gym on it so he could work out."
- Matta said the post players fouled too much this year and the team as a whole had too many turnovers, something that is as much mental as it is physical.
- Keita Bates-Diop has lost "something like 18 pounds" since being diagnosed with mono, Matta said.
- As far as the schedule next season, Matta said really the only certain thing he knows about it is UCLA in Las Vegas as part of the CBS Sports Classic. The Buckeyes will also host Connecticut after visiting the Huskies earlier this season.
- Matta said he thinks the postseason provided "great experience in terms of growing up" for younger players like Daniel Giddens, Mickey Mitchell and others.
- Can we expect to see more of A.J. Harris and JaQuan Lyle on the court at the same time? "I think so, but we were thrust into that because of the injuries on the roster."
- Matta said Ohio State has been working on getting Harris to kick the ball out to shooters after sucking the defense into the lane with his speed.
- On Harris' dunk over a Florida defender, Matta said: "When he went up, I didn't know what he was going to do. But it was a great, great finish."
- "The energy in the (Schottenstein Center) Sunday and for the Akron game was off the charts," Matta said.
- Matta said he thinks Kam Williams took a huge step forward this season, particularly with stepping into a bigger role due to the injuries. However, Williams must get better at ball handling and having a higher assist-turnover ratio.
- Marc Loving finished on a high note to end the season, Matta said: "I hope he takes that in stride into the summer ... He's going to be a huge part of our offseason."
- Micah Potter and Derek Funderburk are set to arrive in June Matta said, and they will be pressing for playing time immediately: "The more competition, the better we are."
- Ohio State should have the same roster next season with the additions of Potter and Funderburk, barring any surprises: "Those guys had tremendous senior seasons. They both have decent bodies, but we’ll have to do some work there."
- JaQuan Lyle averaged 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists this season: "I'm not sure there are many freshmen in the country that did that," Matta said. Lyle's next step is raising his level of conditioning so he can play faster, longer, Matta said.
- Matta said each player gets a book with each shot they made or missed this season.
- Jae'Sean Tate is "doing good" in his rehabilitation from labrum surgery, Matta said. "From everything we're hearing, it could not be going any better."
- Before the injury, Matta said Tate was becoming more of a leader vocally and challenging guys on the court.
- Matta couldn't believe Michigan State lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament: "Those things happen. You hate to see it, but that's part of March Madness. The NCAA Tournament is structured for upsets."
- Recruiting is a constant thing throughout the year, Matta said, but now with the season over it is more expedited. Matta said it is very important for forming the future of the program as early as next season.
- Matta said he and his staff are starting to look at players as early as their freshman year of high school: "Times have changed."
- Projecting players that young is difficult, Matta said. They try to check out their feet and frames to get an idea of how they will grow into their bodies: "But I've always said this: If a kid can play, he can play. That's just how it is."
- On young players specializing in one sport, Matta said some of the best players he had as far as scouting goes are football players. Specialization and playing too much can cause injuries to kids younger and younger.
- What rule changes would Matta change for next season? "I'd like to have the timeout back. But that isn't going to happen." Matta also said he's been a proponent of giving each player six fouls during a game.
- Finally, Matta is aware of what his team must do ahead of next season: "From this point on, we’ve got two hours a week with our guys. Two hours a week is not quite enough to develop your game to the level you want to, so who comes in? Who does the extra?"
