COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State’s star freshman guard D’Angelo Russell jokes he picked the jersey number zero because that’s how many people can guard him. Coach Thad Matta sure hopes that’s true in upcoming games.
The Buckeyes (22-9, 11-7) open Big Ten Conference men’s basketball tournament action in Chicago on Thursday night against Minnesota (approximately 9:30 p.m./ESPN2).
Coming off a lopsided home loss in their last game, the Buckeyes realize they have to play much better if they want to be a factor in this week’s Big Ten tournament and also in the NCAA dance that follows.
Matta’s teams have a history of playing well in the league showcase. But even he adds that players don’t really care about history.
To stick around long, they’ll have to be vastly improved.
The state of Ohio is set to get at least four and maybe five teams into the NCAA Tournament, extending its run as one of March’s marque states. Ohio has sent 11 teams to the tournament in the last three years, trailing only North Carolina (14) and California (13).
The Big Ten. The Big East. The American Athletic Conference. The Atlantic 10. Ohio’s entries into the NCAA Tournament this year are going to run the gamut. There might even be one from the Mid-American Conference, too.
Ohio State, Xavier, Cincinnati and Dayton are poised to make it as the same foursome from last year. Dayton pulled off one of the most notable upsets in last season’s tournament by beating Ohio State to reach the Sweet 16.