Men's Basketball: Matta looks to remain undefeated in openers

Christian Lautenschleger/The Lantern Freshman Anthony Crater drives toward the paint against Walsh University during Ohio State's final preseason tune-up game. The Buckeyes open their season against Delaware State this afternoon at St. John Arena.

This will be the fourth time the team will play a game at St. John since the Value City Arena became a home. OSU played in two games last year at the St. John Arena, including a victory against California in the second round of the NIT.

"It's unique to do once a year for our fans and for our guys," head coach Thad Matta said. "You go to the Cal game last year, that was just incredible environment and hopefully that will be tomorrow night."

The Bucks have only faced the Hornets once before, in 1990, but Matta realizes how tough the game could be.

"They'll change it up defensively," Matta said. "They've got a lot of different guys that have the ability to score and do those types of things. It's a game we have to be very sound, protecting the ball and being sound defensively as we can."

Matta is 4-0 at OSU in season openers and 8-0 as a head coach.

The Buckeyes are 83-22 in season openers all-time and have not had a season opener at St. John since 1997 when they beat Kent State.

Sophomore forward Dallas Lauderdale did not play in the exhibition game against Walsh last week, but he is expected to play in the opener.

"He should be ready to go, as much as we want him to go tomorrow," Matta said. "He thinks he's ready for 40 and I don't know if he's not quite there yet."

Lauderdale has been improving from his play last year and Matta sees two things that Lauderdale has improved from his freshman year.

"Number one, understanding what he's good at and what he needs to do," Matta said. "The second thing is, his overall physical conditioning is at a higher level. His skill level is developed more. He said, 'Maybe I didn't play a ton last year, but I was here and I have to provide as much as I can in forms of leadership, guidance, those areas.' He's done a good job with that."

Sophomore guard Evan Turner led the team with nine rebounds in 27 minutes against Walsh.

"I'm going to the boards more and probably more aggressively," Turner said. "I was able to get out there and get some offensive of rebounds as well as defense of rebounds, but my job is to hit the boards as well. If I'm going down there, I plan on getting it."

Turner averaged 4.4 rebounds per game last year

The exhibition game gave the team the ability to see what mistakes they made and to correct those mistakes.

"Keep it up and learn from the mistakes that we made in that game," junior guard David Lighty said. "Going forward and not let those make mistakes happen again."

But OSU did play smart, turning the ball over to Walsh on few occasions.

"The shot selection was good and I thought we did a good job moving the ball and played unselfishly, 21 assists, 10 turnovers," Matta said. "I would take that run every night."

Will Toman can be reached at toman.7@osu.edu.