Matta knows Davidson is tough

The senior-laden Buckeyes haven't been shooting well.
DAYTON (AP) -- The Ohio State Buckeyes have something to say to those who consider them overrated and primed for a first-round NCAA upset at the hands of Davidson.
"To anyone who thinks that, all they have to do is look at Thad Matta's past record in the NCAA tournament," forward Matt Sylvester said. "He's proven it time and time again. He's one of the best in the country at getting his players ready for the NCAA tournament."
Davidson coach Bob McKillop agrees.
Asked what concerns him the most about playing the second-seeded Buckeyes (25-5), McKillop said, "They are extremely well-coached and will be well-prepared. They are not looking at this as a 15 [seed] versus a two"
In other words, the big, bad Buckeyes from the Big Ten aren't looking past the Wildcats (20-10), the champions of the Southern Conference, to a possible Sunday matchup with Big East bully Georgetown.
"I have been on that side before," said Matta, who was an assistant coach on teams that were seeded 16, 14 and 12. "I understand that when the ball gets thrown up you can throw those seeds out the window."
Coach's history of success
Matta's first Ohio State team went 20-12 last year but the school banned it from going to the tournament to mitigate NCAA sanctions for violations that occurred under his predecessor, Jim O'Brien.
The last time Matta took a team to the NCAA tournament two years ago, Xavier rode three seniors -- Romain Sato, Lionel Chalmers and Anthony Myles -- to the regional final.
Matta is 6-4 in NCAA play.
"You are only as good as your leader," forward J.J. Sullinger said.
This year's Buckeyes are built along the same lines, with four senior starters -- three in their fifth year. Terence Dials, the Big Ten's player of the year, is the big man inside, with Sylvester, Sullinger and Je'Kel Foster filling in around him. The point guard is sophomore Jamar Butler.
The good and the bad
The Buckeyes captured an outright Big Ten title for the first time in 14 years and have won seven of eight and 11 of 13.
Yet there are good reasons to think the Buckeyes may be vulnerable. Foster led the nation in 3-point shooting for the first 21 games, but was just 2-for-24 behind the arc in the conference tournament.
The Buckeyes as a whole have not been shooting well, either. Over the last six games -- granted, five of them were victories -- they are shooting 40 percent from the field and 23 percent behind the arc.
With his father rebounding for him, Foster shot "approximately 1,000" shots to work on his technique and build his confidence. Foster is Ohio State's best defender, but when he's not making shots the Buckeyes aren't the same team they were down the stretch in conference play.
"Even though Ohio State has been struggling [with its shooting] we still know they're a great team," Davidson forward Ian Johnson said.
The last time both teams were in the NCAA tournament four years ago, they also met in the opening round. Davidson, seeded 13th, pushed the Buckeyes to the limit before falling, 69-64.