The fact that Savannah State had not allowed a team to score more than 62 points against it, and was holding opponents to an average of 53 per game, did not escape Ohio State coach Thad Matta.
In fact, he challenged his players with it.
?We said, ?Hey, can we get 75 on this team?? That was kind of the battle cry as we were (preparing),? Matta said.
?That was, I thought, a legitimate request (considering) what they had done to this point in the season.?
The same team that held fifth-ranked Florida to 58 points, though, grabbed air tonight trying to get a handle on the Buckeyes.
Deshaun Thomas scored 21 of his 22 points in the first half as No.7 Ohio State built a big lead early and won 85-45 in Value City Arena.
It was the fifth straight home win by more than 20 points against mid- and low-major opponents. The Buckeyes? average margin of victory in those games is 33.8 points.
?The thing we have been harping on these guys the most is we have to get better. Don?t go back,? Matta said. ?Hopefully, things are in order and we can progress forward.
?I like that we?ve played with energy, we?ve played with enthusiasm, (and) our intensity level has been pretty good in (recent) games.?
Ohio State plays host to North Carolina Asheville on Saturday and to Winthrop on Tuesday before its next test against a top-10 opponent Dec.22 vs. Kansas.
