Ohio State Basketball: Note to Thad Matta, Even God Rested

The Bible states that on the seventh day, God rested from His work of creation.  Maybe Thad Matta should realize what is good enough for God should be good enough for the Buckeyes.

A tired person, no matter how talented and gifted, cannot perform their best.  The art of resting players is an important skill Matta has not mastered.  In the B1G championship game, both William Buford and DeShaun Thomas played all 40 minutes.  Both players shot 4-12 from the field but were collectively 1 for 10 from beyond three-point line.  These could be symptoms of tired legs.

Buford has been averaging almost 34 minutes a game this season.  One wonders if his senior season, which many believe has not been as successful as it should be, is due to the minutes on his legs.

Buford played 36 minutes and Thomas 32 the day before when Ohio State defeated Michigan by 22 points.  There certainly was no need for them to play over 30 minutes when the game was in the Buckeyes' hands.

The Buckeyes lost to Michigan State by four points.  Jared Sullinger played all 20 minutes of the second half and was clearly gassed at the end of the game.  There was no reason for Sullinger to be tired.  Evan Ravenel has been more than an adequate substitute for Sullinger providing rebounding, defense and some offense.  There was no reason Ravenel could not have played even a few minutes to give Sullinger a break. 

There is also no reason for DeShaun Thomas to play all 40 minutes.  Ravenel can easily remain in the game when Sullinger renters, subbing Ravenel for Thomas.  Could a fresher Thomas and Sullinger made up the four-point difference against Sparty?  Could Ravenel spelling those two give OSU another B1G title?  I fear Matta’s over-reliance on his starters could prevent the Buckeyes from going to the Final Four and the championship.

Matta has been criticized before for not using his bench. 

The Starting Blocks of Cleveland.com wrote:

Is the Buckeyes' bench really so bad that Matta can't be blamed for its virtual non-use? Are they that bad in practice? Is Ohio State as successful as it is because Matta depends so much on five players?

On the other hand, how can reserves succeed when little confidence, maybe, is shown in them?

Is it worth it to play the bench more, even if, in the coach's opinion, it might put a game or two in jeopardy? And what's the big deal if the Buckeyes might lose a game trying to find out about another player or two? The difference, theoretically, between a second and third seed? Could another confident player coming off the bench maybe help OSU win a tournament game?

Should Thad Matta give the Buckeyes' bench more of a chance?

When the Buckeyes start the tournament on Thursday, there will be teams that will be just as good if not better than Michigan State.  A tired Sullinger, Thomas and Buford may not be able to get OSU over the hump.  I think Matta should utilize his bench more, especially Evan Ravenel.  If not, OSU could lose early like it did the previous two years.