Associated Press, March 8, 2017

(AP) Ohio State is sticking with coach Thad Matta.

Athletic director Gene Smith said in statement Wednesday that Matta, the most successful basketball coach in the school's history, has job security despite a second consecutive disappointing season that, short of winning the Big Ten tourney, will end with the Buckeyes missing the NCAA tournament.

Smith says in the statement: "While we are not currently where we aspire to be with our performance on the court, Thad understands better than anyone that component has to improve. I am confident in his leadership to return the program to the winning ways that we have all enjoyed during his 13-year tenure."

The Buckeyes are 17-14 as they head to the Big Ten Tournament, where they play Rutgers on Wednesday night in Washington.