Where’s the defense?
This particular lineup isn’t playing very good defense.*
*applies to every lineup playing for Ohio State today
— Jeremy Birmingham (@Birm) February 28, 2021
Head coach Chris Holtmann keeps harping on it week by week, and even said it so when the Buckeyes were on a long winning streak. The defense has to get better. We are now seeing the defensive woes start to turn potential wins into losses.
In this one, the Ohio State defenders were trailing the man they were guarding instead of denying and beating the opposition to the spot. When you are a step behind, that opens up passing lanes and dribble drives. I know there was a lot of focus on limiting Luka Garza down low, but far too many defenders were disinterested in sticking to their man early. Iowa went on a run because of it, and it was almost too late then to do anything about it.