Talented Ohio State group falls short again

NEW ORLEANS -- Thad Matta’s attitude is incredibly healthy. It was a year ago when Ohio State lost to Kentucky in the Sweet 16 on a final possession that Matta sat back and reflected on the phenomenal regular season the Buckeyes had with just a few blemishes. He was composed again Saturday night, in yet another situation in which the Buckeyes were the favorite to advance, but failed to do so because of late-game execution. “I’ll get back to the hotel and decompress, but I’m so proud of these guys that they put us in a situation to win a national championship,’’ said Matta after the Buckeyes unfathomably blew a nine-point halftime lead and lost to Kansas 64-62 in the national semifinal.