Thad Matta needed to hear only four words to finish the question for the person asking it.
?The annual question is ? ? the inquisitor began.
?How many guys are you going to play?? the Ohio State men?s basketball coach said.
?I think we?ve got more depth,? Matta answered.
The real answer remains to be seen, and although the Buckeyes? exhibition opener tonight against Walsh could yield some hints, the depth of the lineup could be ever-changing the next two months as Matta decides how many players he?ll go to war with when the Big Ten schedule begins.
How many play is only one question begging an answer, though, as the nation?s fourth-ranked team tips off its 2012-13 season. How fast the Buckeyes play is another, and how much pressure they apply on defense to trigger that transition offense is a third.
Tonight ?probably won?t be the prettiest thing in the world,? Matta said before practice yesterday, ?but I?m kind of interested to see how everyone plays.?
Sophomores Sam Thompson and Amir Williams are expected to be the newcomers to the starting lineup, joining juniors Aaron Craft, Lenzelle Smith Jr. and Deshaun Thomas.
But the talk since last season ended is that Matta, who has earned a reputation for playing his starters heavy minutes, will go deeper into his bench to facilitate a faster pace set by a stable of athletic, long-limbed players. Matta said he has six or seven lineups in mind.
Smith said he doesn?t know who will play how much, ?but if we?re going to play the way (we want to) and give the hustle we should give, it shouldn?t be ?Thad having to play (a certain number).? It?s going to be guys pulling on their jersey asking to come out. Guys don?t want to come out of the game, but that won?t be a factor when they can?t breathe.?
The team?s offseason conditioning program this past summer, more so than in the past, prepared the players to sustain a high tempo longer, Smith said.