Ohio State turned a preseason exhibition into a full-blown tribute on Sunday, welcoming Thad Matta back to Columbus and putting his accomplishments on display with a banner that will hang in the rafters forever.
The Buckeyes hosted Butler at the Schottenstein Center in one of the tune-up games that now help bridge the gap before the season officially begins. But the afternoon was about more than just basketball with a week to go before the real games start.
Matta made the trip to Columbus with Butler, and the homecoming came with a celebration waiting for him. Ohio State raised a banner honoring his run in Columbus from 2005-2017, a stretch in which he lifted the program to a level it had never reached before.
For the Buckeyes, the timing of the tribute fit neatly with where the program is trying to go now. Jake Diebler has assembled what looks like a strong roster, one built with depth, youth, and experience. That blend gives Ohio State a real chance to push closer to the standard Matta set when the program was rolling.
That standard was clear: Ohio State was routinely a top-half seed in the tournament and regularly advanced to the second weekend and beyond. The Buckeyes have spent years trying to get back there.
Last season’s tournament appearance was a step forward. Now the next target is getting to the second weekend. Anything beyond that would be a bonus.
Sunday gave Ohio State a chance to honor a legend and look ahead at the same time. With Matta celebrated and the season nearing, the Buckeyes have a table set for what could be a strong year.
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Ohio States quarterback room looks a lot different than the one fans expected to see heading into the season, and the ripple effects are hard to ignore. With starter Julian Sayin dealing with an injury, Ryan Day is expected to turn to true freshman Luke Fahey in the backup role, a move that instantly shines a light on just how young and unproven the depth chart has become behind center.
Former coach Urban Meyer has already raised the question many around the program are asking, wondering why five-star prospect Tavien St. Clair is not in position to back up Sayin despite his obvious talent. It is the kind of quarterback situation that can feel manageable in September and suddenly become a real concern if the Buckeyes need answers in a hurry, especially with a room made up mostly of true freshmen, redshirt freshmen and a senior transfer who has limited starting experience. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Stays In The Spotlight As USC Trip Brings Bigger Concern
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The bigger immediate issue is the trip to USC, where Ohio State is still waiting on a starting quarterback announcement expected soon. The Buckeyes have plenty of attention coming their way no matter how the poll looks, but the quarterback decision adds another layer to a game that already feels like a test of where this team really stands as the schedule tightens. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio States Final Tune Up Brought A Big Reason For Optimism
Ohio States final preseason test in Columbus gave the Buckeyes a useful snapshot of where this roster can go, and a few familiar faces made the evening feel bigger than a typical tune-up. In an 82-73 win over Butler, the Buckeyes got strong contributions from several key players, with Amare Bynum leading the way with 23 points while John Mobley Jr., LJ Smith and Justin Pippen all played important roles in the buildup to the regular season.
The night also carried a healthy dose of program history. Jon Diebler was back around the team, and former head coach Thad Matta was honored at halftime, adding some extra weight to an exhibition that already felt like more than just a warmup. For Ohio State, the performance offered reasons to feel encouraged, even if the bigger questions about how this group will mesh are still waiting to be answered when the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]