Ohio State head coach Thad Matta finds himself in an unfamiliar position: For the first time in eight years, Matta will not be preparing to coach in the NCAA tournament.
A 20-13 season has the Buckeyes headed for the NIT. For Ohio State, it’s the first time participating in the event since the 2007-08 season. The Buckeyes’ seven-straight trips to the NCAA tournament was the seventh-longest streak in the nation before it was officially snapped Sunday.
It’s not ideal, of course, as this program under Matta has grown accustomed to playing, and winning, at a high level.