Just a 'Matta' of Time

Written by J King | 22 February 2012

Everyone knows Thad Matta is a ‘rock star’ of a coach and has brought OSU hoops into an era of excellence that rivals any stretch in the schools history.

All that is truly lacking – is a national championship..and perhaps this might be ‘that year’. To get a true appreciation of what the 44 year old Matta has accomplished – let’s look at some of the highlights:

Team Successes:

1. In 11 previous years, his average record at OSU is 27 wins and 8 losses.
2. In his 3 years at Xavier, the team finished with 26 wins each year.  His year at Butler was 24-8 with a second round NCAA showing.
3. 11 consecutive 20+ win seasons to start his career.
4. 4 B1G Titles in his 8 seasons at OSU.
5. 5 B1G Conference Tournament championships.
6. 1 MCC title and tourny championship in his only year at Butler.
7. 2 A10 titles in his 3 years at Xavier.  2 A10 tournament championships.
8. 2008 NIT championship with OSU.
9. 9 NCAA tourney appearances with 2 sweet sixteens (OSU), a runner-up national championship (OSU),  and an elite eight appearance (Xavier).
10. 4 conference coach of the year awards (2 B1G coach, A10, 1 horizon).

The two years Matta failed to reach the tourney were his first year (2002) as coach – where he took over a program that was in shambles at the time (remember the name Jim O’brien) and 2008 when he had lost several players to the NBA draft such as Greg Oden.

Of course, the current OSU team is ranked #8 nationally and pushing for another B1G title and possibly a #1 seed in the tourney. The B1G is generally regarded as the top conference in basketball this year and Thad’s team sits atop the standings yet again.

Here is a look at some of the players Matta has had in his tenure at tOSU.

 Thad simply produces winners – and doesn’t really do it with a lot of fan-fare or ego. Just a great coach driven to compete – I’m glad he’s a buckeye for sure.

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