Matta, players need to get to heart of matter
Editor: I hope Thad Matta leaves this disappointing season behind. I wish Marc Loving a nice, quiet, uneventful life — just like his play for four years. His final game was emblematic: 36 minutes to get five points and exactly one rebound, while being outhustled and pushed around by a Rutgers team that wanted it more.
There’s no faulting Jae’Sean Tate, who worked hard enough for two people, and C.J. Jackson, who hustled, scored and moved the ball. They did their part.
Maybe next year Chris Jent can explain to Trevor Thompson that he can’t waste three fouls “reaching in” 90 feet from the defensive area where his height and long arms are desperately needed.
Micah Potter learned a lot, and so did Andre Wesson. Which brings up two other regulars: Kam Williams, who works hard to get his three-point shots, but then can’t make but one-third of them, and JaQuan Lyle, the mystery man.
Matta’s Buckeyes lacked a go-to guy at crunch time all season. Help will only come if some Buckeyes can hit from the perimeter. John Mariotti, Columbus John: I agree on the need for a dead-eye shooter, but there also has to be an uptick in the heart department by all of those not named Tate — and better foul shooting by him. No matter what, this is a big-time coaching mess to clean up.
Sports editor: You and your writers have defended Thad Matta and apparently see no reason why he shouldn’t return for at least another season.
But did you watch the Buckeyes against Rutgers? Can you honestly say after that embarrassment that Matta deserves another day on the job, let alone another year?
I’ve watched a lot of Ohio State basketball over the years (I’m in my 60s) and have seen lots of great teams and players. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything as pathetic as (Wednesday’s) game.
Scott Williams, Columbus Scott: I don’t disagree, but I don’t know that John Wooden incarnate could have done any more with that team in that game. Clearly Matta lost them; there can hardly be another explanation for the lack of effort and heart. Yay, NIT!
Editor: For the second year in a row, the Central District played its boys basketball tournament in undersized gyms. We are the only district in Ohio that doesn’t play in a college gym — Cleveland State, Akron, Ohio, Dayton, Wright State, Toledo, etc.
We turn thousands of fans away because Ohio Dominican only seats 3,000, and nobody is accountable.
They tell us Ohio State will let you use St. John Arena but if one of their teams needs it for practice, they have to bump the tournament. What a crock.
Governor Kasich, let the taxpayers of Ohio use St. John or even the Fairgrounds Coliseum, where tournament games were held for 50 years. You appointed the fair director, Governor, order him to open the gym to high school basketball. Terry Fleming, Columbus Terry: Unfortunately, this spat is going nowhere fast. The Central District says the rent at the Coliseum is too damn high, and Ohio State can’t or won’t commit to allowing games in St. John, which seems the bestcase scenario.
Mr. Stein: I am disappointed that Blue Jackets fans don’t cheer unless they are trying to win a prize or unless it is the end of the game.
It’s time we start making our arena a “home crowd” arena that makes it tough for opposing teams to play and makes more noise than the opposing fans. Getting out-shouted by hundreds of Toronto or Minnesota fans is embarrassing!
We need to start cheering from the drop of the puck to the blast of the cannon at the end. It’s time to show the NHL that this is our barn! William Fulcher, Columbus William: From where I sit — usually at home — the place sounds boisterous enough at the appropriate times, like after a heavy rush or a big save, and certainly after goals. But the in-between time can be muted.
Editor: Congrats to Jonathan Quilter for the great photo of Dublin Coffman’s win over Pickerington Central (in Wednesday’s paper) that showed the joy of victory and the agony of defeat.
As we applaud the winners, sometimes it is easy to overlook those who don’t win. I think we have all felt like Pickerington’s No. 5 in the photo. The look of disbelief on her face brought back memories of losses that haunt us all. I say to her what grandpa said to me: Hang in there, kid. Gary Teets, Columbus Gary: I loved it, too — and Barbara Perenic’s shot the next day of Hilliard Davidson’s boys celebrating their win over Westerville South. The emotion of high school sports is unmatched.