My Ohio State Buckeyes have lost four straight games after holding on as a Top 5 team in the country for most of this season. I will be the first to admit that this year’s Buckeyes were never a top tier team, but with a preseason ranking we were ranked high. Due to teams losing early in the season we were placed in a position that as a team the Bucks were not ready for. We spent the early part of the season playing against teams such as Devry, ITT Tech, and Kaplan University (I’m joking). Most teams play a soft schedule in the beginning of the season, and it gets tougher as conference play nears.
We all know that the Big Ten is a brutal conference when it comes to hoops. It appears like there maybe seven teams that have a legitimate case to make the NCAA Tournament. After losing to Michigan St, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska the Buckeye hoops squad had their backs are against the wall. The schedule doesn’t get any easier the rest of the season, but I am optimistic that their season can be turned around in ample time to make a tournament run. College Basketball is a marathon, and there will be stretches when teams struggle. My logic is that it is best to struggle now rather than struggling near March. Teams that gel around March are normally the teams who make a run in the NCAA Tournament.
I ask myself, what can Coach Matta do to turn around the season?
1. Bring Lenzelle Smith Jr off the bench- Lenzelle’s Smith’s stats are the best of his career right now, but they were inflated due a weak schedule in the early part of the season. I think having Smith coming off of the bench can be a luxury, because he is a streaky player. Smith Jr can erupt for quick points a la the Notre Dame game, and he can be an enigma as well. With Smith Jr. coming off the bench it can give him a little more freedom playing against opposing teams second groups. Coming off the bench for Thad Matta isn’t a bad thing just ask Ron Lewis (05-06) and Daequan Cook (06-07)
2. Start Sam Thompson- Sam Thompson started off slow this season, and he regaining his confidence. What you lose in defense in Smith Jr you gain length, athleticism, shooting, and size. Thompson’s numbers and minutes are similar to last season, but I think he can take the next step in his development with more minutes.
3. More of Marc Loving – I know Coach Matta doesn’t go into his bench much, but there has to be a way where he can find more minutes for the Freshman Marc Loving. Loving is only averaging around 13 minutes per game, but he has found a way to impress in so little time. With Loving being 6-7 he has the skill to play on the perimeter and he can help on the glass as well.
4. Making the extra pass- At times you see Aaron Craft driving into a crowd of defenders or you may see Lenzelle Smith Jr or LaQuinton Ross taking an ill-advised three pointer. In Ohio State’s four game losing streak they’ve averaged around 12 assists per game. In all honesty Craft and Scott should average that between them. With no pure go to guy low assist totals can’t happen with this team. Jared Sullinger and DeShaun Thomas are not there to bail them out, but points can come when you move the ball.
5. Take a page out of the 2005-2006 Men’s Buckeyes Team’s Book – I believe that this was the most unselfish group that Thad Matta has ever coached. Terrence Dials was the staple in the middle, but the perimeter was loaded with players such as Jamar Butler, Je’Kel Foster, J.J. Sullinger, Matt Sylvester, Ivan Harris, and Ron Lewis. With so many players having similar skill sets they found a way to make it work. Some sacrificed points and minutes for the need of the team. I think with so many perimeter players on this team I think they need to follow the approach of the 2005-2006 Bucks and do what is best for the team.
These are just my thoughts, but Buckeye faithful should trust Coach Matta during this tough stretch. I know the four game losing streak is bringing back memories of the later years of Randy Ayers, but change will come soon. Hopefully the change will begin January 23rd against the Fighting Illini.
Go Bucks!
