The Buckeyes head coach Thad Matta spoke with reporters in Chicago Thursday morning. Amongst the highlights were the following:

Matta "very pleased with the offseason effort", team very aware of challenges that are ahead.

— Land-Grant Holy Land (@Landgrant33) October 25, 2012

Matta: Thomas is a lot thinner this year, thinks the "light is on", understands the game of basketball better, pleased with defense

— Land-Grant Holy Land (@Landgrant33) October 25, 2012

Any time you lose two players of the caliber that we lost, you know you cant replace them. We need players to be themselves.

— Land-Grant Holy Land (@Landgrant33) October 25, 2012

Matta "Freshman have to be better physically to compete. Thinks Aaron Craft was the most college ready player he's coached"

— Land-Grant Holy Land (@Landgrant33) October 25, 2012

Amir Williams has made tremendous strides, as has Trey McDonald. Ross is getting the "meat and potatoes" of the system as well.

— Land-Grant Holy Land (@Landgrant33) October 25, 2012

Matta thinks this is going to be a more scoring by committee approach, as opposed to a 3rd player stepping up to be "the guy"

— Land-Grant Holy Land (@Landgrant33) October 25, 2012

Matta thinks winning on the road in the B1G is one of the hardest things to do in college basketball. Says talent level has increased too.

— Land-Grant Holy Land (@Landgrant33) October 25, 2012

Matta also thinks Illinois is going to be happy with John Groce

— Land-Grant Holy Land (@Landgrant33) October 25, 2012