Men’s Basketball Meets with Media to Preview Wisconsin Game – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/8/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 8, 2007
Thad Matta, Ohio State head coach
On Wisconsin
“This is game three of 16 in the Big Ten. Anytime you’re competing it gives you an inspiration. Wisconsin has very talent and experienced basketball players. The overriding factor for Wisconsin is experience and I don’t think you can put a price on anyone that has played 40-50 Big Ten games. They’ll make adjustments so Greg Oden has to be active and athletic to make sure he covers both the post and the outside. Wisconsin will ball screen, but it’s not a staple thing they do.”
On Illinois
“Going into Illinois was one of our Big Ten challenges and we have learned we are capable of putting up great defense. Now we have to put it together and play good offense and defense.”
Jamar Butler, junior forward
On Wisconsin
“We are very excited to play Wisconsin at their places and we want to bring home another Big Ten win. UNC, Florida, Illinois and Wisconsin are all tough road games. We love the Big Ten schedule because we see the tough teams early. The fans and the student sections make it tougher to play Wisconsin at home and home games give them an extra boost.”
Greg Oden, freshman center
On road games
“Coach Matta tells us Wiscoinsin is going to be a crazy like UNC and Florida. I’m going to have to be able to show pressure on the post and help my teammates outside. It’s going to be a very physical game and I need to anticipate getting fouled. The coaches tell me everytime I play the other team is going to come at me, so they tell me to make sure I keep my arms up.”
