After Ohio State crushed Maryland last week for its third-straight win, it appeared coach Thad Matta rewarded his players with the video game, NBA Jam, for their efforts.
Coach Matta promised an NBA Jam for the lounge in exchange for a win streak - done and done! #GoBucks #BoomShakaLaka pic.twitter.com/YU59k1HaCE
— OSU BASKETBALL (@OhioStateHoops) January 30, 2015
As it turns out, the game was already on its way.
“I’ve got to be honest,” coach Thad Matta said Monday on the Big Ten coaches teleconference. “I don’t know a lot about it.”
Matta said “I can honestly say I think I played Pac-Man once when I was in junior high.”
But if it keeps the surging Buckeyes motivated, they can have all the video games they want.
“I’m gonna poll the guys to see what game they like so they play well,” said Matta, who added, “We’ve always tried to keep those types of things just for camaraderie and they seem to enjoy it.”
Ohio State plays Purdue Wednesday in West Lafayette, Ind.
Big Ten notes and quotes
Tom Crean (Indiana)
After back-to-back losses to Ohio State and Purdue, Indiana stopped a brief skid by beating Rutgers over the weekend. Now, the Hoosiers will play Big Ten leader Wisconsin. “The bottom line is how skilled they are...They can do a lot of things. They can drive the ball, pass the ball.”
Fran McCaffery (Iowa):
Since beating Ohio State, Iowa has lost three-straight games (two to Wisconsin and one to Purdue). “It's time to get back to work,” McCaffery said. The Hawkeyes play Michigan Thursday.
John Groce (Illinois)
In a 4-5 start to Big Ten play, Groce said he thinks the Fighting Illini have started to find their footing after a win against Penn State. “Our guys are starting to get very comfortable playing together. We're executing together.”
Chris Collins (Northwestern)
Amidst a seven-game losing streak"For us, it's about moving forward. We've had a tough stretch of games, many coming down to the last possession."
Mark Turgeon (Maryland):
After a big loss to Ohio State, the Terrapins have used the time to recharge and refocus. “We’ve had a couple days to lick our wounds and get better,” Turgeon said, adding, “We have been able to work on us … hopefully we’ll be refreshed and energized … it’s nice as a head coach not to dive into a scouting report and say, ‘Who’s next?’” Maryland plays Penn State Wednesday.
Matt Painter (Purdue)
Like the Buckeyes, Purdue has won three in a row to bolster its Big Ten title hopes. “We’ve been inconsistent on the glass, but that was really our strength the last three or four games.”
Painter on what’s helped Ohio State, said “I love their defense, I think Sam Thompson and Scott — their experience, their toughness — causes problems for people … I think what D’Angelo Russell has done speaks for itself.”
Pat Chambers (Penn State)
With a game against Maryland on Wednesday, Chambers said he doesn’t expect the Terrapins to still be reeling from their double-digit loss to the Buckeyes. “It looked like Ohio State was on fire … you just have to pick up the pieces and get back to work.”
Tom Izzo (Michigan State)
After edging Michigan Sunday afternoon, Izzo expressed concern over the way the Spartans played. “Like every team in our league, we’re in search of some consistency. Maybe not just our league, maybe like every team in the country.”
Eddie Jordan (Rutgers)
Rutgers have lost its last seven games and will play Illinois Tuesday and Ohio State Sunday and Jordan said talented freshman guard Mike Williams still remains a week away from returning from an ankle injury (which means a return against the Buckeyes might be possible).
Bo Ryan (Wisconsin)
With an anticipated and upcoming bout against Indiana this week, Ryan said the Badgers' preparation doesn't change. "You take people's tendencies and you try and break them down," he said. Wisconsin is 19-2 and 7-1 in conference play.
John Beilein (Michigan)
After a close loss to Michigan State Sunday, Michigan continues to play without star junior guard Caris Levert. "We have no other choice so we've gotta trust we've got really good kids with high character ... as a result, they're in there and getting better because they're getting actual playing time," Beilein said.
Beilein was about 10 minutes late to the conference call because he was watching film of the loss to the Spartans.
