The Ohio State Men’s Basketball program last year lacked any identity and was unsure of its coach’s future with the team. Thad Matta had been the coach of the Buckeyes for 13 years and this season would have been his 14th season. After failing to make the NCAA tournament for the second time in a row a change needed to come. That change came in the form of Chris Holtmann. Who is this Holtmann? His record over the past four years is all you need to know.
Fast forward to present day and Holtmann has the buckeyes in prime position make it to the postseason and be competitive. Right now the Buckeyes are atop the BIG10 with a conference record of 3-0 and an overall record of 12-4 (which could be 14-2). They are playing hard and playing together. They are even less dependent on stars like emerging guard C.J Jackson. Matta’s last tournament appearance came by handing the ball to now Brooklyn Nets guard D’Angelo Russell and letting him distribute to above average shooters.
This year however is different.
Holtmann has immediately changed the culture from what it was and has his buckeyes flying under the radar in hopes of proving he was the right coach for this team.
Tonight the Buckeyes take on Michigan State who is ranked #1 in the NCAA. It might be much to ask the Buckeyes to pull out the upset but I certainly am optimistic that the Buckeyes will be competitive in these games in a way they haven’t been for a while.