What has happened to Ohio State basketball? After a national championship runner-up finish in 2007 and seven straight NCAA tournament appearances from 2009-2015, the Buckeyes haven’t made the tournament for two straight years.
Ohio State went 21-14 last year and failed to make the tournament. This year they went 17-15, which is their worst record under Thad Matta since he started in 2004. Now with the news that JaQuan Lyle has quit the team, the Buckeyes are in a tough spot.
It was reported earlier this week that Lyle actually quit the team back in April. It was also reported that Lyle was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors in his hometown of Evansville, Indiana. He was later released on a $150 bond.
With Lyle’s departure, Ohio State now has no players from their 2015 recruiting class, which consisted of five guys including Lyle. Austin Grandstaff transferred to DePaul, Daniel Giddens transferred to Alabama, A.J Harris transferred to New Mexico State and Mickey Mitchell went to Arizona State.
Ohio State coach Thad Matta (Photo/ Kirk Irwin).
Matta also only signed one player in the ESPN top 100 class of 2016 and so far only has one this year for the class of 2017.
That leaves only three guards on scholarship for the Buckeyes, leaving a large hole in the backcourt. C.J Jackson, Kam Williams, and incoming freshman Braxton Beverly are the only three guards Ohio State has on scholarship. That could change if Williams decides to stay in the NBA draft. He has until May 24 to withdraw his name and retain eligibility for next year.
Buckeye fans shouldn’t have worried about these past two seasons on the court because bad seasons happen. It’s what is happening off the court that fans should be worried about. When a team has had a bad season like the Buckeyes have had these past two years, they try and make up for it with recruiting. Ohio State has not done that.
For many, that is a reason to dislike Matta and want him gone. But Matta has earned the right to coach at least next season. He is a well-liked coach; many people think he is still the man for the job. At only 49 years old, he still has many coaching years left if the stars align.
Att the moment, there aren’t enough players coming in. Transfers, decommitments and players leaving for the NBA are a normal thing. However, people don’t seem like they want to play basketball at Ohio State right now.
Matta has earned the right to try and turn it around, and he probably will be given that chance. If things don’t turn around soon, then there could be a few changes.
Featured photo by Charlie Neibergall
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