2015-2016 Season Thread

[MGMT]

Is this the first time in Matta's tenure at OSU that we didn't win 20 regular-season games?

 

[BimboColesHair]

Is this the first time in Matta's tenure at OSU that we didn't win 20 regular-season games?

First time since his 1st year...again, I know Thad gets a lot of heat from fans for not getting over the hump, but this team had no business winning 11 games in conference and finishing middle of the pack...his best coaching job to date IMO.

 

[redscoon]

OSU played like the Spartans just invented the pick and roll Friday and the Buckeyes had never seen it before. Way too many dunks given up amd free throws bricked today. Tough to gauge the performance because Sparty absolutely shot the shit out of the ball in both games. They were 29 for 40 at one point late in the 2nd half.

This is a talented team, but their combo of being dumb and low energy leaves them in the NIT without a deep BTT run.

I want to be optimistic about them moving forward, but Matta has funneled a lot of kids through the program lately that simply have not improved over time. Hopefully, that is on those particular players and not coaching, but that remains to be seen.

 

[Derek]

First time since his 1st year...again, I know Thad gets a lot of heat from fans for not getting over the hump, but this team had no business winning 11 games in conference and finishing middle of the pack...his best coaching job to date IMO.

The conference only had a couple good teams this year, and besides Iowa, who have lost 5/6 right now, none of OSU's wins are particularly impressive.

You may point to a lack of talent on the team, but Matta is the one who recruited them. He's really struggled to recruit outside of Ohio and Indiana, and with the resources of Ohio State, they should be able to get recruits from all over the nation.

I really think Matta is on his last legs at Ohio State due to his declining health. The program could use a breath of fresh air. I'd love to see Archie Miller in Columbus. I had heard his brother's name a few years back as a successor to Matta, but he's built up Arizona so well it's tough to see him leaving.

Regardless, I think Matta did a great job rebuilding the program, but I don't think he's the guy to make them a perennial contender. He's not going to be gift-wrapped Oden and Conley again any time soon.

 

[BimboColesHair]

The conference only had a couple good teams this year, and besides Iowa, who have lost 5/6 right now, none of OSU's wins are particularly impressive.

You may point to a lack of talent on the team, but Matta is the one who recruited them. He's really struggled to recruit outside of Ohio and Indiana, and with the resources of Ohio State, they should be able to get recruits from all over the nation.

I really think Matta is on his last legs at Ohio State due to his declining health. The program could use a breath of fresh air. I'd love to see Archie Miller in Columbus. I had heard his brother's name a few years back as a successor to Matta, but he's built up Arizona so well it's tough to see him leaving.

Regardless, I think Matta did a great job rebuilding the program, but I don't think he's the guy to make them a perennial contender. He's not going to be gift-wrapped Oden and Conley again any time soon.

Oh, I don't disagree with his inabilities to recruit recently. Letting Kennard, Bragg, Burke, etc. leave state is going to be his downfall in the near future...I just think coaching wise this was his best year...really think it's because he delegated well with his coaching staff.

To me, the time to move on from Thad was after last season...I really think Shaka Smart would have taken the job if it was open over the Texas job.

But I think we still have 1 or 2 guaranteed years of Thad, then after that who knows. I can see him retiring soon to be honest.

 

[Derek]

Oh, I don't disagree with his inabilities to recruit recently. Letting Kennard, Bragg, Burke, etc. leave state is going to be his downfall in the near future...I just think coaching wise this was his best year...really think it's because he delegated well with his coaching staff.

To me, the time to move on from Thad was after last season...I really think Shaka Smart would have taken the job if it was open over the Texas job.

But I think we still have 1 or 2 guaranteed years of Thad, then after that who knows. I can see him retiring soon to be honest.

Agreed on all points. He'll almost certainly retire before they fire him.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Agreed on all points. He'll almost certainly retire before they fire him.

Real ? is who do you replace him with? Internal or external guy?

I really think Greg Paulus is going to be a terrific head coach, but it might be too soon for him if Thad only has 1 or 2 years left. Not even 30 yet, but he knows Ohio, knows the program, and has worked and played under some really good coaches.

I can also see them going after Archie Miller (as long as he isn't hired away before then) who has ties to the school.

Will be curious to see who they can attract to the school when the time comes...Ohio's High School basketball talent keeps getting better and better, so I can see it being an attractive place to coaches.

 

[Derek]

Real ? is who do you replace him with? Internal or external guy?

I really think Greg Paulus is going to be a terrific head coach, but it might be too soon for him if Thad only has 1 or 2 years left. Not even 30 yet, but he knows Ohio, knows the program, and has worked and played under some really good coaches.

I can also see them going after Archie Miller (as long as he isn't hired away before then) who has ties to the school.

Will be curious to see who they can attract to the school when the time comes...Ohio's High School basketball talent keeps getting better and better, so I can see it being an attractive place to coaches.

A friend of mine with some pretty good coaching ties in the NCAA has always said that it would be a Miller brother. Sean, if he's not married to Arizona, or Archie if he is. Take that for what it's worth.

 

[BimboColesHair]

A friend of mine with some pretty good coaching ties in the NCAA has always said that it would be a Miller brother. Sean, if he's not married to Arizona, or Archie if he is. Take that for what it's worth.

Hiring Sean Miller away from Arizona would be one of the biggest coups in college basketball. And I think if they want his brother, they're going to have to move quickly...that guy is going to be a hot commodity this off season.

 

[MGMT]

First time since his 1st year...again, I know Thad gets a lot of heat from fans for not getting over the hump, but this team had no business winning 11 games in conference and finishing middle of the pack...his best coaching job to date IMO.

Yeah, I don't have any issues with this season or Thad as I don't think any of us realists had lofty expectations. it was just weird to see a Thad team have so much inconsistency defensively. But I agree; given the circumstances, he put together a rock-solid season.

 

[Ohio]

Michigan just beat Indiana at the buzzer, likely clinching their spot in March Madness. Ugh.

Hopefully we can beat Sparty tonight to give ourselves a chance.

 

[SixPACK]

Just gotta keep winning.

It's our only chance. Gotta win the B1G Tourney.


But beating MSU tonight and then beating Maryland, that would look nice, even if we do lose in the finals.

 

[Ohio]

But beating MSU tonight and then beating Maryland, that would look nice, even if we do lose in the finals.

Yeah, I'd feel pretty good about our chances in that case.

 

[NorthCoastBias]

Gonna get waxed tonight. NIT, here we come!

 

[NorthCoastBias]

Gonna get waxed tonight. NIT, here we come!

Waxed was an understatement