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NCAA: Ohio State Buckeyes To Disappoint?

By Nathan Giese

Mar 13, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Lenzelle Smith(32) talks with head coach Thad Matta during a time-out against the Purdue Boilermakers in the first round of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Purdue vs. Ohio State. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Lenzelle Smith(32) talks with head coach Thad Matta during a time-out against the Purdue Boilermakers in the first round of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Purdue vs. Ohio State. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Thad Matta has had some stellar success with the Ohio State Buckeyes, taking a team that struggled to come out of the shadows from the success of its football program and making them into a major player in college basketball.

The Buckeyes have been a mainstay at the top of the Big Ten since Matta’s second year, having played in two Final Fours and one national championship game since 2007. Ohio State has seen a number of its players front NBA rotations in that time as well, though they may most be remembered for Greg Oden and his horrible luck in the health department.

While Ohio State has been at the top of the college food chain for the last few years, the 2014-15 season may be the biggest test for Matta and the Buckeyes.

Their 2013-14 campaign didn’t end the way the Buckeyes had hoped, losing in the second (first. I will not let this die) round of the NCAA Tournament to the latest Cinderella in the Dayton Flyers. It came down to the final seconds, but the Flyers had destiny calling their name and there was nothing Ohio State could really do about it.

Those Buckeyes were led by Aaron Craft, for some reason one of the most polarizing college players in the last four years. Never a great shooter or a scorer, Craft was known for his effort, on-court IQ and defense. As a point guard, he was a true leader. Now he’s gone, and Ohio State will need to fill the void.

Not only is Craft gone, but so is LaQuinton Ross, the Buckeyes’ best offensive weapons last season. An athletic, long wing with a flare for a fancy play, Ross decided to leave early for the NBA. Unfortunately, his gamble did not pay off, going underrated in a deep 2014 draft class.

Feb 15, 2014; Champaign, IL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Shannon Scott (3) passes the ball during a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Ben Woloszyn-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2014; Champaign, IL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Shannon Scott (3) passes the ball during a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Ben Woloszyn-USA TODAY Sports /

With their two most important players now gone, the Buckeyes have even more pressure on them. Though they still return talent from last year’s team, how successful the 2013-14 Buckeyes actually were completely depends on who you ask.

Ohio State began last season expected to challenge for the Big Ten title. Though they played three eventual NCAA Tournament teams in their non-conference schedule, for a team at the caliber of the Buckeyes, it was a very weak schedule. It wasn’t completely their fault, though. Two teams that were supposed to be big-time opponents, Marquette and Notre Dame, each took major bumps on their way disappointing season. At the time, they looked like marquee games for Ohio State. However, that did not turn out well  and led to very disappointing games, though both were victories.

The Buckeyes went 13-0 during their non-conference schedule, a great mark for any team, no matter who you are. Although, with the holes that Ohio State had, none of them were exploited because of their subpar competition early in the year. Those holes were blown wide open during Big Ten play.

Matta’s squad limped through the conference schedule and finished 10-8 against Big Ten competition. Maybe it was because of their name, maybe it was because of their decent 25-9 record, but Ohio State earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tourney as an 8-seed before meeting their demise to Dayton. It wasn’t a great year by any means and things could be even more difficult this season.

Three players will have the biggest impact for Ohio State this season. Shannon Scott ill take over the point guard duties left behind by Craft and Sam Thompson is likely to take over as the star player for the Buckeyes. A lethal, athletic combo that sees both players as ones that need to step into new roles.

The third player is Amir Williams, the best big player the Buckeyes have on the roster. He was second on the team in rebounding but will have to keep improving his scoring, something he’s done in each season since his freshman campaign.

Each of these three will be seniors this season, so they will be looked to for leadership and guidance from the in-coming freshmen class. However, all three will be learning new roles of their own at the same time. Can they be leaders while also trying to be new players themselves? That’s the dilemma that the Buckeyes face.

The Big Ten is still the top conference in the country and the battle for supremacy and, to be honest, Ohio State just doesn’t have the fire power to keep up with teams such as Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State and, surprisingly, even Nebraska. It could be a very long season for Buckeye faithful.

Matta has done a great job resurrecting Ohio State’s basketball program, but this may be his most daunting task. Can he take his team back to the top, or is he in for a rude awakening of what’s to come?

We shall see.