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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