For Ohio State, Life Without D'Angelo Russell Has Officially Begun

By Tim Shoemaker on October 6, 2015 at 6:49 pm
Thad Matta speaks to the media.
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Mounted on a wall just outside Ohio State’s practice gym at the Schottenstein Center is a big-screen television that displays famous moments, games and highlights in Buckeye history.

It serves as a rolodex of information; a constant reminder of the tradition that head coach Thad Matta has built as he prepares to enter his 12th season at the helm. On this TV, you can scroll through and relive some of the greatest plays in Ohio State history, revisit some of the program’s greatest games and even watch highlight reels for some of the most famous players to ever don a Buckeyes uniform.

One of those players who has his own highlight reel is D’Angelo Russell, Ohio State’s All-American from the 2014-15 season who led the team in points and rebounds and was second in assists.

Russell already has his own highlight reel because he’s no longer in Columbus. After opting to leave Ohio State after his freshman season, Russell was selected No. 2 overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Draft. And as the Buckeyes held their annual media day Tuesday afternoon, Russell’s absence was notable.

Such is life now for Ohio State, though. The Buckeyes are a young team in 2015-16 and they're currently preparing for life A.D. — After D’Angelo.

“We’ve been young before, we’ve been inexperienced before, but have we ever been like this? I’m not sure,” Matta said. “I think for us, every day is a day toward the future. Every day is going be growth for this basketball team both offensively, defensively, all those things with, ultimately, the big picture in mind.”

There was a bit of a different feel inside that gym Tuesday afternoon. Not only was Russell gone but so were familiar faces Shannon Scott, Sam Thompson and Amir Williams — three guys who logged heavy minutes for Ohio State over the past four seasons.

Only four players sat down at podiums and were made available for interviews: Jae’Sean Tate, Marc Loving, Kam Williams and Keita Bates-Diop. The rest? Well, you will hear from them soon enough Ohio State doesn’t allow its freshman or newcomers to speak publicly until after they’ve played a game and the Buckeyes have seven of those scholarship guys on their roster this year.

Seven players who have never played a game before at Ohio State.

“I feel like as a team we have a lot to prove; this is a very big season for us collectively,” Loving said. “I’m just very excited to get on the court, that’s the first step to proving people wrong. Just getting on the court and showing what we’re capable of.”

The Buckeyes feel like they have a lot to prove because of all the fresh faces. They’re one of college basketball’s biggest unknowns this season because of the sheer fact they have so many new players.

Matta singled out Tate and Loving as the players who will be called upon to lead this team. Williams, a third-year sophomore and Bates-Diop, who played a key role in Ohio State’s NCAA tournament win over VCU, will also have to do their part.

“I love it; I love it. It gives me more responsibility and it gives me more things to work for,” Williams said. “Now that my teammates are looking at me for that role, I’m embracing it every day.”

But a large part of Ohio State’s success this season will hinge on the play of its new players. That’s created a lot of mystery with this year’s team, and perhaps that’s the way Matta likes it.

The departure of last year’s senior class and, more specifically, Russell has created that mystery. And the Buckeyes know there will likely be speed bumps along the way as they try and replace one of the top players in the program’s history, but they seem excited about the journey ahead.

“It’s been a long summer. I’m so happy this day has finally come; first day of practice tomorrow and I can’t wait,” Tate said. “Just bringing in the young guys, I definitely have matured this year and have taken on that leadership role. We’re hungry. Like I said after the Arizona game last year, we’re hungry and we’ve been working.”

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