The big one was that we had a four-point lead and he was fouled shooting a 3. They didn’t call it (even the announcers said they missed it). Michigan scored 4 and  it went to OT.

Are they coaching at Baylor and Bama right now?

Is Zed a top 3 center in the Big Ten? Top 5?

He has played well in spells (last year vs Duke for example), but I don't look at a team of Zed's and say "That's a Big Ten champion team right there"

This could be the case, but my instinct questions if it's the following:

1. Sensabaugh feels pressure to carry the team as our only proven scorer.

2. Justice harbors negative feelings towards Sensabaugh for the attention his talent is getting and the idea that Brice, not Justice should be our go-to guy leading this team.

3. There is not even a semblance of an offensive scheme or strategy. Nothing close. Even when we desperately need a bucket or have an in-bounds opportunity, Holtmann doesn't draw up a halfway decent play. He just instructs who to get the ball to.

4. Because of 1, 2, and especially 3, the result is Sensabuagh forcing shots to try to carry this team (because we sure as hell don't have any type of offensive set that is getting anyone else an open look). Justice as a result is trying to "get his" and play hero ball the other 1/3 of the possessions.

It's a mess and Holtmann doesn't seem to have a clue how to navigate us through this.

Great comparison!

Both (UK-Duke and UGA-OSU) were games for the ages. UK-Duke will have far more lasting power due to the 2 OTs and amazing toss and basket to win it. But otherwise the comparison holds true and this was arguably the most entertaining semifinal to date (obviously all of us liked the 2015 Sugar Bowl more because of the result).

As for OSU 1990-1992, with all due respect to the other standout players on those teams, that run comes down to Jimmy Jackson. I loved Funderburke as well, but the decline from 1992 to 1993 was apparent as to the impact JJ had.

That '92 Elite Eight game remains my biggest Buckeye heartache. Bigger than 96 TTUN, 98 MSU, 19 Clemson. I really thought the Bucks (despite being outplayed for 2/3 of the game), had willed themselves to victory with that mid-late second half effort. Unfortunately, Webber hit some big free throws and we failed to hold on to a 4-point lead late and failed to deliver on the final possession. By OT, the momentum was al back in Michigan's court.

And yes, hopefully we mirror the rise UK had after that '92 game. We have the potential to do so.

I know you are 100% right.

I just don’t understand what’s keeping him afloat as it is. Why did someone who won zero Big Ten titles, zero BTT championships, and with no March success get a contract extension? He hasn’t even finishes top 4 in the Big Ten since year 1.

Either Gene has very low expectations for this program, Gene can’t swallow his pride, or both.

Ohio State absolutely ran the Big Ten 2006-2013.

5 Big Ten titles. A missed Michigan layup vs IU away from a 6th in 2013.

4 BTT championships. Runner up in 06, 09, 12 as well.

2 Final Fours - 2007 and 2012

2 AP #1 finishes - 2007 and 2011

Only MSU could even hold a candle to us during that time as a whole. 

Holtmann has NEVER missed the NCAA Tournament,

That means he's had a top 40ish program year over year. Is that the goal? Typically 6-8 Big Ten teams make the dance. Finishing just above average (12-8) in the Big Ten is enough to qualify for the dance most years.

For the record I am A-OK with missing the tournament every few years if we make Sweet 16 runs the other years. Consistent mediocrity does nothing. 

and NEVER won less than 20 games during his OSU tenure… 

That means he went .500 against DI Major programs. Is that the goal? .500 basketball? 

I'd sure hope 20 wins and a middle of the pack Big Ten season is NOT the goal.

The football equivalent to these goals would be consistently finishing 7-5 and touting bowl eligibility year over year as an accomplishment. 

Lol, I don't think Browns fans are holding onto that one.

Now the drive, fumble...red right. Absolutely.

Maybe one day the Browns and Bengals will meet in the playoffs and there will be real consequence.

Ridiculous.

You don't think football is more popular at Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, MSU, etc. as well?? There's a reason their stadiums are all 70k+

The only schools where basketball is the far and away spotlight are Kentucky, KU, Duke, UNC, and those that don't have a football team.

We don't need to out-recruit the blue bloods. We just need to out-recruit Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Purdue, etc.

With our athletic department budget, facilities, being one of the top athletic programs in the country, and being the prominent D1 basketball school in a state the size of Ohio (with only Cincinnati and Xavier offering any relevant competition), this should be a breeze.

Final Fours in 1999, 2007, 2012.

Of our 22 Big Ten titles, we won in 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012. 
 

That’s not exactly ancient history, Socrates.

No unless…

Its simply time to move on. 
 

If this team were to suddenly go on an 8-2 run, I’d be even more upset that we squandered games against Minnesota, Maryland, and Nebraska, knowing the pieces to compete for a Big Ten title were in place.

Holtmann has shown for 5 straight years that he is incapable of navigating a Big Ten season without giving up 3 games a year to the Big Ten bottom feeders.

My concerns in order:

1. There are no offensive sets and no strategy. A good offense should be getting a guy like McNeil who is a great shooter when open open looks. That offense should be finding Sensabaugh the ball in position to make a play. That offense should adjust to personnel changes (e.g. a center being out). And most importantly that offense should have sets with screens to get open looks in the last couple minutes when te game is on the line.

2. These lineups are baffling. At Rutgers, our NBA round 1 talent was riding the pine. OSU failed to score for those 5 minutes. Sueing brings nothing positive yet Holtmann rewards him with minutes like he’s the best player on the team. Okpara needs more time at Zed’s expense. The reality is BOTH are projects, not just Okpara.

3. Who motivates this team?? If not the head coach that needs to be an energetic assistant coach. That all access game made it obvious it’s not Holtmann but the rest of the staff was quiet as well. It’s painfully obvious they start games flat and don’t come out with a string mindset against inferior opponents.

4. Holtmann has never stated his expectations (calling it a must win game, adamantly saying “we had no business losing to that team”, or saying we need to win this next game. He just kind of floats along, praising piss poor teams for their play against us and saying we need to do better. It’s fair to say “we’re learning” in November. But conference play is time to shit or get off the pot. This is what you spend the off-season for. Yet Holtmann acts like the season entails 3 months of learning opportunity scrimmages.

I love the game but am far from a basketball coach. These flaws are just so blatantly obvious that even a novice like me can see them.

He loses to several Big Ten bottom dwellers EVERY year. This goes well beyond this year’s team.

I’m not asking for a NC. I’m asking for someone who can compete for Big Ten titles… not finish 5th-8th every year.

We led the conference in titles when he arrived. That’s not an unrealistic expectation.

Maryland provided the smoke that something was wrong.

Minnesota made it obvious the house was on fire.

Nebraska just exposed this as an inferno.

This isn’t new. Holtmann has lost to Big Ten bottom dwellers that fail to win 15 games at a rate of 3 per season. Year 1 was the exception. Sure his teams can play with a top 10 team but they can lose to a last place team as well. Ultimately that means a Big Ten title is never going to be a reality under him…which is sad bc we led the conference with 22 when he arrived.

Time to turn the page and start the next chapter in OSU basketball immediately 

Huh??

I mean we did have the 2002 Buckeyes come out on the field this year for a reason. Have done the same for the ‘68 and ‘70 teams not long ago.

Like I said, the past counts.

It’s to the point where the accuracy of this observation literally had me laughing.

Its so bad…

When we settle for a guy like Holtmann we sure are.

Gene’s priorities:

1. Football

2 - 34. Olympic sports

35. men’s basketball winning a mere 20 games

Win or lose, this only cements further that Holtmann is not the answer at OSU. This Nebraska team is putrid and we’re matching them.

This offensive game plan of Holtmann’s dazzles

This offense is …offensive to watch

This feels like the mid 90s again.

I don’t get why the offense isn’t working. These offensive sets of Holtmann’s where 5 guys stand in one spot seems like it would be hard to defend /s

This is hard to watch

X’s and O’s block