Ohio State still lacks the toughness to compete on the road in the Big Ten
Chris Holtmann and his players believe a lack of toughness, which they think should be their identity, has been behind their dismal month. https://t.co/gepqehFR5f
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) January 23, 2020
If you listen to Chris Holtmann, he brings up the word toughness almost every press conference when describing what his team needs in the rugged Big Ten. Everyone likes to define the league as a “physical” one, which really means there’s a ton of fouls that simply don’t get called. And Wisconsin is generally exhibit A. If you talk to former and current players and coaches, it’s well-known that the Badgers scrap it up with the best of them.
But it’s in the DNA of the league right now, and you better bring your big boy pants or you’ll get exposed and embarrassed. Nothing is changing either with how the league is officiated, so it’s something you just have to deal with. And with how young this team still is, how the game is played and what it takes to battle through it all just isn’t there yet.
I have been a firm believer that this team will have more success once it gets out of the league and in the postseason, but it has to get there first. Right now, Ohio State is who it is. You can probably expect more performances on the road like this unless the Buckeyes somehow figure things out at the tail end of the season here.