Men’s Basketball: Matta Quotes – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Thad Matta, head coach of the 12-4 Buckeyes, takes his team on the road for the second of three-consecutive road games Tuesday in East Lansing, Mich., vs. Michigan State. Ohio State played at Purdue last Saturday and will be in Knoxville, Tenn., this weekend to take on the Volunteers. Senior Jamar Butler needs five points to reach 1,000 for his career and one assist to reach 100 for the season. Quotes from Matta’s weekly teleconference with league coaches are below.
Thad Matta, head coach
On 3-Game Road Swing
“This is a unique stretch for us. We had something similar earlier this season when we played five games in 11 days but some of those were at home. We are looking for steady improvement. After the Iowa game (W 79-48) we did not have the carryover that we needed going into the Purdue game (L 75-68).”
Areas Where the Buckeyes Need to Get Better
“We need consistent play, not great play. Our decision-making and taking care of the basketball need to get better and recognizing what is coming at us, the understanding of what a team is trying to do to us and taking that away.”
Purdue’s Defense
“One of the best pressure teams in the county is North Carolina and we had 10 turnovers in that game. I thought we were able to put the ball in the basket. Purdue did a great job. We did not fight well enough to execute what we were trying to do each time down the floor.”
Compare Ohio State’s Young Team with Michigan State Last Year
“There are some similarities. I don’t want to put everything on Jamar (Butler) to score because we won a game earlier this year when he did not score. I think he has a great feel for what is going on. It helps us when he does score. There are a lot of other things he can do across the board to help us.”
Butler’s Foul Shooting (37-39/.949, 25-consecutive makes)
“Jamar is the one guy on this team that is a three-and-a-half-year starter. He has been through the rigors of a college basketball season. He is a proven winner. He has a great feel of what we want to get accomplished offensively and defensively. He has made big shots and has always been a high free throw percentage shooter. We just need to find more ways to get him to the line.”
