Thad Matta’s Buckeyes squad has high hopes for 2016-17 season

The 2015-16 season was one that the Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball squad would love to put on the back burner and forget. Whether it was only making the postseason NIT where they lost to the Florida Gators in the second round, losing four of five players from their freshmen class due to transferring, or the worst season a team led by head coach Thad Matta has ever had in his coaching career, last season was one the Buckeyes would love to forget.

While they struggled last season, the 2016-17 version of the Buckeyes has plenty of hope and lots of promise. Outside of those previously mentioned transfers, Matta’s crew returns all of their players from last season and also adds freshmen center Micah Potter, forward Derek Funderburk, and forward Andre Wesson to go along with sophomore transfer (from Eastern Florida State junior college) guard C.J. Jackson. Those four newcomers will provide Ohio State with plenty of depth, something that they lacked at points throughout last season. With only one junior and no seniors, they were considered very young last year, but that won’t be an excuse whatsoever this go-round. They may still be somewhat young, but the Bucks have plenty of experience.

Even with the transfers, the Buckeyes return their top six scorers from last season: Marc Loving, Keita Bates-Diop, Jae’Sean Tate, JaQuan Lyle, Kam Williams, Trevor Thompson. The progression of those six players will play a key role in the Buckeyes success this year. But, even with their top six scorers returning, a true freshman will be in the starting lineup, at least for the home opener. He not only has the starting nod, but also has been impressive since arriving on campus during the summer:

True freshman Micah Potter will start for Ohio State in the Buckeyes season opener at Navy Friday night. Couldn't be happier for that kid!

— Josh Poloha (@JorshP) November 11, 2016

"The kid just does his job. He's going to be a building block of this program for a very long time," a source told WFNY.

— Josh Poloha (@JorshP) November 11, 2016

Potter is a big-man that is both great in the post and has an impressive outside shot as well. With a four-man like Tate, the two will work hand-in-hand. They will not only both be able to pick-and-pop from the outside, but can also take their man off the dribble as well.

With the return of assistant coach Chris Jent to Matta’s coaching staff, the offense will look much different than in recent seasons. He has already installed plenty of differences, including more off-the-ball movement. While leading the offense in place of assistant coach Greg Paulus, Jent also brings plenty of experience to the bench as well.

Last season was the first time Ohio State failed to make the NCAA tournament since 2008. If things go as planned, the Buckeyes will not only compete for a Big Ten title this year, but also a spot in March Madness, whether it be with an automatic bid due to winning the conference tournament or an at-large bid.

We already know how good the Big Ten is, but Ohio State’s non-conference schedule isn’t a cake walk either. They will plays the likes of Providence, Virginia, Connecticut, and UCLA before beginning their conference season in early January.

Ohio State isn’t ranked to start the season but is considered one of the top unranked teams and a sleeper pick by many once March rolls around. The Buckeyes open their season Friday night at Navy. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. ET. Here’s the rest of their schedule: (All times are ET)

• November 11: at Navy, 9 p.m.
• November 14: North Carolina Central, 9:00 p.m.
• November 17: Providence, 7 p.m.
• November 21: Western Carolina, 7 p.m.
• November 23: Jackson State, 7 p.m.
• November 25: Marshall, 7 p.m.
• November 30: at Virginia, 9 p.m.
• December 3: Fairleigh Dickinson, 4:30 p.m.
• December 6: Florida Atlantic, 7 p.m.
• December 10: Connecticut, 6 p.m.
• December 17: UCLA, 3 p.m. (neutral site)
• December 20: Youngstown State, 7 p.m.
• December 22: UNC Asheville, 9 p.m.
• January 1: Illinois, TBD
• January 5: Purdue, 7 p.m.
• January 8: at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.
• January 12: at Wisconsin, 7 p.m.
• January 15: Michigan State, TBD
• January 18: at Nebraska, 9 p.m.
• January 22: Northwestern, 1 p.m.
• January 25: Minnesota, 7 p.m.
• January 28: at Iowa, 8 p.m.
• January 31: Maryland, 7 p.m.
• February 4: at Michigan, 6 p.m.
• February 8: Rutgers, 7 p.m.
• February 11: at Maryland, 4 p.m.
• February 14: at Michigan State, 9 p.m.
• February 19: Nebraska, TBD
• February 23: Wisconsin, 9 p.m.
• February 28: at Penn State, 8:30 p.m.
• March 4: Indiana, 12 p.m.