Men's Basketball
Matta Era Begins at OSU
By John Porentas
Buckeye fans will get their first glimpse of a Thad
Matta-coached basketball team when the Buckeyes take on Division II
Northern Kentucky at the Value City Arena tonight at 7:00 PM.
Matta inherits a team that surprised many last season,
not for what it accomplished, but for what it didn't accomplish.
The 2003-2004 season began with high hopes for the Buckeyes,
hopes the came crashing to the ground quickly as the team continually
performed well below preseason expectations. The Buckeyes finished
at a disappointing 14-16 and did not participate in post season play.
Then, this spring, former Head Coach Jim O'Brien was fired in the
wake of revelations that he had advanced money to a recruit.
The Buckeyes had many shortcomings last
season, but none so glaring as their inability to guard the opposition.
They just couldn't get stops, for whatever reason. In
response, Matta has made defense priority number one.
"I'm more concerned about the defense
right now," Matta said three weeks ago when practices began.
"If we don't make a shot for the
first two weeks, as long as we're defending, I'm going to be happy.
"We've got to get our defense established
because I think that's going to give us a chance.
"The offense is always going to
grow, but I think one of the biggest things you can do coming out
of the gates is get that defense in order and get guys understanding
what you want to do."
When Matta says defense, he means defense.
Matta will stress every phase of defending.
"I think that we have to start with our transition
defense. This team is not going to be able to give up easy baskets,"
Matta said.
When the Buckeyes set up defensively, expect them
to play man-to-man in most situations. Matta prefers to man up defensively,
but does not rule out the use of the zone at appropriate times.
"I've never been a huge fan of it, but it's definitely
won us a few games in the past. I'm never too opposed to that,"
said Matta describing his outlook on the zone defense.
Matta inherited a talent pool that is athletic but
did not perform well on the court last season. Terence Dials is the
only established returning big man on the roster. Matta hopes to capitalize
on the athleticism and minimize the lack of size by installing a running
style of play that will capitalize on that athleticism.
That sits well with most the returning Buckeyes.
"That's how I was raised to play," said returner J. J.
Sullinger.
"That's how I've been playing the game ever since I've been
able to run up and down the court. I'm looking forward to it."
The players are excited about the up tempo style of play, but Matta
has made his point about playing defense first.
"He told us that from the beginning, that defense is the key
to winning," Sullinger said.
"Our whole game plan, everything we do, is focused on defense.
It's not a surprise that we weren't the greatest defensive team last
year. That's something that we've got to work on."
Returning guard Tony Stockman echoed Sullinger's comments.
"That's what we have to do, play defense and stop people,"
Stockman said.
"Defense, a lot of people say defense creates points. I think
that's what he's talking about."
Matta's plan also includes conditioning, lots and lots of it. His
new squad discovered in preseason conditioning drills that he is very
serious about a team being in shape.
"It was very tough," said Ivan Harris.
"We were up at four in the morning, 4:30. We'd lift, run our
five miles. That's what I told the students that live in our dorm,
that we had to get up in the morning. They said it was crazy,"
said Harris.
Harris says he can literally see the results of the workouts.
"My body fat is 4.9%. Last year it was 6%. When I run the court,
I don't feel as winded," he said.
Matta also is less likely to pigeon-hole players and limit them in
their roles.
"They want you to be a little bit more versatile," said
Terence Dials.
"They don't want you (centers) just back to the basket or guards
just shooting threes. They want you more multidimensional.
"They want you to be all-around, not give the defense the opportunity
to say they can stop you because you can just do one thing."
Notes: When the Buckeyes take the court tonight
they will be wearing black patches with the letters CFC on them in
memory of Chris Fuss-Cheatham, the mother of OSU guard Brandon Fuss-Cheatham
who was killed in an auto accident last week.
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