Walter Offutt isn?t mad at Thad Matta for not playing him more in his brief, one season and four-game career at Ohio State. After some fits and starts, Offutt?s college career has worked out fine ? he led Ohio to the Sweet 16 last season as a redshirt junior ? and the Bobcats should be good again next season even though OU coach John Groce took Bruce Weber?s old job at Illinois.
?I?m probably going to give (Matta) a call this summer just to see how he?s doing,? the gritty, 6-foot-3 guard said. ?If had another shot at it I probably would have considered redshirting.
?Everybody at Ohio State knew I could play, it was just about me getting the opportunity to play. I have no hard feelings toward Coach Matta. He?s a great coach. He doesn?t use his bench a lot. He?s always been like that. He just finds a rotation of guys. . . ?
That said, Offutt isn?t sure sophomore Jordan Sibert did the right thing by transferring. He thought he had a chance to play next season.
?Sibert?s case might be a little different than mine,? Offutt said. ?I was behind a lot of experienced guys. If I was in Sibert?s situation. . . well there?s spots open. Buford?s leaving and there are other chances. Every situation is different, but I think if he would have stayed, he would had a chance.?
