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Men's Basketball
Two Minute Drill: Inside Kansas-Ohio State Postgame
By Brandon Castel

COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the third time in the last year, Ohio State fells at the hands of Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday. It was also the third location.

The Buckeyes lost at Kansas last year, along with their heartbreaking defeat at the Final Four down in New Orleans. Saturday’s loss was especially hard to take because it came on their home floor in Columbus.

Here is a look at what the players and coaches had to say after Ohio State’s 74-66 loss to Kansas.

Defending Deshaun

* Kansas center Jeff Withey: "Travis (Releford) played great defense on Deshaun. We focused on him because we know he can go off for 30, easy."

* Self said they didn't like the way they matched up with Thomas last year when they had a big on him because he's untraditional.

* Self said they wanted to play a guard (Travis Releford) on Thomas this time with Withey trapping him in the post.

* Matta said the only way to free up Deshaun from the double-team is for other guys to make shots around him. Amen.

* Matta: "I thought Deshaun played pretty good considering they had a spotlight on him at all times."

Jayhawks Bring Their A-Game

* Self: "I don't know if we have anyone's number. Today was probably the best we played against Ohio State."

* Self said his biggest concern was whether they could get by some of Ohio State's defenders when they pressed up in man defense.

* Matta said this Kansas team may be the best team that's come in here since Illinois back in 2005.

* Matta on Kansas: "Who starts 4 seniors at this level anymore? I haven't had 4 seniors in 8 years."

* Matta said Ben McLemore as good as any players in the country.

Talking Buckeyes

* Craft on Amir: "It's in him. That's just him growing and being more consistent. He's a great kid."

* Matta said Aaron Craft played with a hip injury in the second half. "Most people would have been over at OSU Medical Center."

* McLemore said the focus in the second half was to get back on defense and slow down their transition offense.

* Craft said Kansas’ pressure took them out of their offense in the second half.

* Matta shaking his head at the open shots that didn't go. Said he told his assistants "let's call a play where we score."

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