Tag: Chris Holtmann

What we learned after Ohio State’s road loss to Northwestern

A bakers dozen of Big Ten road losses for the Buckeyes

Ohio State basketball’s Big Ten tumble continues, this time at the hands of Northwestern on the road, losing 83-56.

It was the 14th consecutive conference road loss for the Buckeyes, showing once again they just can’t get it done away from the Schottenstein Center. You would have thought that Ohio State would have lucked its way to a win by now, but that clearly hasn’t been the case.

This may have been the worst loss of the streak, as the Buckeyes scored a season low in points. We learned plenty after this latest Ohio State basketball loss, find out below the most pressing ones.

What we learned following Ohio State basketball’s road loss to Michigan

The losing streak hits three-games for the Buckeyes

For the third straight Big Ten game, Ohio State failed to match its opponents intensity, this time falling on the road to Michigan, 73-65.

The Buckeyes just couldn’t get their shots to fall on the road, something that is all too familiar over this stretch recent of basketball. The loss puts Ohio State’s season record at 12-5, just 2-4 in the Big Ten. They are now just one spot ahead of being at the bottom of the conference just a few games in.

We learned a good amount about Ohio State in its most recent loss, some of it was more of the same that we have seen during the conference losing streak.

Ohio State basketball head coach Chris Holtmann, center Felix Okpara, to miss New Orleans game with illness

Ohio State hoops will be a little shorthanded tonight. #GoBucks

Ohio State basketball is set to tip off in about in a Thursday night home matchup against New Orleans, but the Buckeyes will be without their head coach and starting center.

It was announced earlier that the OSU will be without head coach Chris Holtmann as he is out with an illness. Taking the place of Holtmann will be assistant head coach, Jake Diebler, who will serve as the acting head coach for the game.

Starting center, Felix Okpara, is also out with an illness as announced earlier.  Okpara has started all 11 games this season at center as he’s a key defensive piece for the Buckeyes averaging 6.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in 19.7 minutes per game.

Ohio State remains heavy favorites in the matchup against New Orleans who currently has a 5-6 record this season.

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Ohio State basketball head coach Chris Holtmann reacts to win over UCLA

In case you missed it, Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann was pleased with his team’s win over UCLA. #GoBucks

The Ohio State basketball team got back in the win column on Saturday and it was a big one against UCLA in the CBS Sports Classic. The Bruins’ record isn’t one that says it was an outstanding win, but they’ve played some really good teams very close and just haven’t been able to finish things off.

Scoring was at a premium with both teams’ style revolving around really good defense, but OSU was able to win the Donnybrook and improve its record to 9-2 on the season.

Buckeyes’ head coach Chris Holtmann met with the media after the contest to discuss what he saw and was very proud and satisfied with his team’s effort overall in what was a hard-fought, scrappy game.

If you missed any of the head man’s comments, you can catch them here thanks to our friends at the Columbus Dispatch. Have a listen and hear Hotlmann discuss the play of point guard Bruce Thornton, how big of a win he believes it was, Ohio State’s ability to find a way to get the victory, and more.

Ohio State will now prepare to host New Orleans on Thursday before it heads to the Christmas break.

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What we learned following Ohio State basketball’s win over Merrimack

Here are some things we learned (we think) following Ohio State basketball’s win over Merrimack?

[autotag]Ohio State men’s basketball[/autotag] got back in the win column on Wednesday night, defeating visiting Merrimack 76-52.

The Buckeyes got off to a slow start in the first half, only to see the quality of basketball greatly improve in the second 20 minutes. Ohio State upped it’s play on offense and defense, putting away the Warriors with about 8 minutes left in the game.

It was a very encouraging effort from this team, as they improve their record to 2-1 on this young season with a tuneup against Western Michigan before facing a ranked Alabama team at home.

As for tonight, here’s what we learned after tonight’s Buckeye basketball win.

Ohio State basketball: Previewing the 2023-24 season

The Buckeyes tip off tonight, find out more about this years team here! #GoBucks

The [autotag]Ohio State men’s basketball[/autotag] season gets started tonight, as the Buckeyes host Oakland at 6:00 p.m. ET.

As is every year with collegiate sports, especially basketball, there is a lot of turnover. That is no different for head coach [autotag]Chris Holtmann[/autotag], and there were additions and subtractions from last years team that went 16-19, and missed the NCAA Tournament.

The team isn’t nearly as young as it was last season, with multiple veterans returning with a good amount of experience. Let’s start out by introducing the freshman class, and who should be contributors right away, followed by who will break out and the starting lineup, and my guess as to how this season plays out.

(Note: All rankings are according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.)

Chris Holtmann talks at Big Ten media days

In case you missed it, Chris Holtmann took his turn at the podium at Big Ten basketball media days this past week. Here’s what he had to say about the upcoming season.

Believe it or not, despite everyone’s attention being on the gridiron with the Ohio State football team — and rightfully so, the Buckeye hoops team is not too far away from tipping off the season.

In fact, the Big Ten held its basketball media days this past week in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and as is obligatory and customary, head coach Chris Holtmann took his turn at the podium to discuss the outlook for the Ohio State basketball team for the 2023-2024 campaign.

In case you missed any of what Holtmann said this week, thanks to our mother ship, USA TODAY, we have the full yet brief press conference from the OSU head coach for you to consume. During his few minutes in front of the firing squad, Holtmann discussed his excitement for a core nucleus returning, the freshman class coming in, some changes that were made on offense, and more.

Ohio State will take the court for the first time on Nov. 6 vs. Oakland. We’ll have a lot more leading up to the season as we get closer to breaking the seal.

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WATCH: Hilarious interaction between Aaron Craft and Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann

Craft does it all #GoBucks

The [autotag]Ohio State basketball[/autotag] season is right around the corner, and this week was Big Ten media days, which head coach [autotag]Chris Holtmann[/autotag] and a few players attended.

During his open session to take questions, former Buckeye star guard [autotag]Aaron Craft[/autotag] was on hand. The current medical student was ribbed by Holtmann after asking a question about the upcoming season.

It’s not surprising Craft is diversifying his interests, he’s had quite a career. What is surprising is that he former All-Big Ten performer hasn’t entered coaching. There is no doubt in my mind that Craft would be great at it.

Check out their interaction below.

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Ohio State offers LeBron James son, Bryce, a scholarship while on a visit

The Buckeyes offer LeBron’s son Bryce #GoBucks

Although [autotag]Bryce James[/autotag], son of NBA superstar LeBron James, didn’t have an offer from [autotag]Ohio State basketball[/autotag], he still took the trip to Columbus to see the football team take on Maryland.

It was a win for the Buckeyes and James; head coach [autotag]Chris Holtmann[/autotag] offered him during the unofficial visit. The youngest son of LeBron stands 6 feet, 4 inches and weighs 180 pounds. He plays shooting guard but most likely could play small forward as well.

James is ranked as the No. 20 player at his position and 129th overall in the country on the 247Sports composite. He has one other offer, Duquesne.

This could be similar situation to his brother, Bronny, where the youngest James sees his development skyrocket as he goes through high school. It’s a safe bet to say it will be a great advantage for Ohio State to be his first major offer.

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Report: Younger son of LeBron James will visit Ohio State this weekend

Can the Buckeyes have better luck with this James? #GoBucks

Although [autotag]Ohio State basketball[/autotag] has already missed out on one of [autotag]LeBron James[/autotag]’ son’s recruitment, Bronny who is trying to get back on the court for USC after suffering a cardiac arrest, there is still hope for a member of the James clan to end in Columbus.

[autotag]Bryce James[/autotag], a 6-foot, 4-inch and 180-pound shooting guard in the 2025 class, who many view as a better prospect that his brother Bronny (though currently just a 3-star prospect), will visit head coach [autotag]Chris Holtmann[/autotag] and staff this weekend according to multiple reports

James is ranked as the No. 20 shoot guard in his class, and the 129th overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. Even though the visit is an unofficial, unlike when Bonny took his visit, it still means a lot in Bryce’s recruitment.

At the current moment, it is not reported if Bryce has an offer from Ohio State, but what we do know is that he won’t be the only visitor, as 2026 Indiana point guard [autotag]Dezhon Hall[/autotag] will join James. The 6-foot, 3-inch and 175-pound Indianapolis native is currently unranked at the moment by the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

James could see his stock rise like his brothers did — as Bronny’s game matured, his ranking shot up. Bryce very well could see a similar ascendance up the lists.

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