Thad Matta has been loosening his tongue to go along with his collar.
No longer beholden to wearing his customary tie this season after joking he might be forced to hang himself, the Ohio State coach greeted the end of a four-game losing streak with a dose of wry humor.
“We’re back,” he jokingly exclaimed Saturday evening, after the Buckeyes scored 89 points and beat VMI by 27.
It was his opening statement and not one meant to be taken seriously. The team, bereft of seniors and boasting just one junior, has already challenged Matta’s coaching acumen like none other.