Thad Matta has shown loyalty to his starters even as Ohio State has endured rough stretches of play this season. While he has done so, the Buckeyes’ reserves have continued continue to make their cases for expanded roles entering tonight’s home game against Penn State.
At Purdue’s Mackey Arena on Thursday night, A.J. Harris, Kam Williams and, to an extent, Daniel Giddens showed they may deserve more playing time. And within the closed practice doors at Value City Arena, Ohio State's reserves continue to plug away against the starters — so much so that both Harris and Williams said the backups take pride in the color of their practice jerseys.