After a last-second loss to Michigan State over the weekend in East Lansing, coach Thad Matta met with reporters on the Big Ten coaches teleconference Monday morning.
With Wisconsin on the verge of clinching the conference’s regular-season title, Ohio State (19-7, 8-5 Big Ten), which began with aspirations of capturing the league’s crown, might have to reshuffle its goals moving forward.
“I won’t address it, it’s more along of the lines of hey how do we get better,” Matta said. “I’ve always kind of kept it that way."
- Asked if he was disappointed that D’Angelo Russell, the team's star freshman guard, doesn’t have a younger brother to recruit and come play for the Buckeyes, Matta joked “I am yes.” Russell, who leads Ohio State with 19 points a game, has captured national attention for his electrifying play. He's projected to be a top pick in the NBA Draft next summer.
- Against the Spartans, Ohio State was 5-of-13 from the free-throw line, which in part doomed it on the road. “I think that’s definitely played a part in it, without a doubt … it’s hard to win on the road and put so much pressure on your defense … we’ve got to find a way to shoot a better free-throw percentage.” The Buckeyes are making 68 percent of those shots on the season.
Conference Notes:
Tom Crean (Indiana)
As the regular season nears its final stretch, the Hoosiers — which are 3-3 in their last six games — have been highly inconsistent. "When the games are coming fast and furious like this, you really need to have a group of upperclassmen that can carry the load."
Chris Collins (Northwestern)
After losing 10-straight games, the Wildcats upset Iowa in overtime to notch its first victory since Dec. 30. “The Big Ten is a big fire to be thrown into.”
Mark Turgeon (Maryland)
After a critical win against Indiana at home last week and slipping by Penn State in State College Sunday, the Terrapins have steadied themselves after some midseason struggles — which included blowout losses to the Hoosiers and Ohio State. “We’re getting used to people playing better against us because we’re ranked,” Turgeon said. He added: “9-4 instead of 7-6 is a huge difference.
Matt Painter (Purdue)
Winners of five of their last six games, the Boilermakers play Indiana Thursday. “We’re gonna get tested big-time on Thursday with the arsenal that Indiana has in backcourt.” Painted added Purdue’s success this year is “exciting … this is a welcome challenge” after “disappointing” and “frustrating” struggles the last few years.
Pat Chambers (Penn State)
As Penn State prepares for Wisconsin, the Big Ten’s top team, Wednesday, Chambers said Traevon Jackson “has been a Nittany Lion killer for some years,” citing Jackson’s heroics last season to sink Penn State.
Tom Izzo (Michigan State)
After escaping Ohio State, 59-56, in the final seconds Saturday afternoon, the Spartans notched a critical win to bolster their postseason hopes. To do so, Izzo and Co. limited D’Angelo Russell to 10 points. “I think he might be the best guard I’ve seen in this league in a long time. We somewhat contained him and I think that was a big key.”
Eddie Jordan (Rutgers)
“We don’t shoot the ball very well during practice.” Jordan said the Scarlet Knights do just about everything to improve that facet of their game.
