Time for more Holden, less Sueing. You just can't go 3-10 with only 3 boards in 34 minutes as a starting senior swing player. His shooting slump is horrendous and he's singlehandedly cost this team at least 2 games. I don't understand why the immediate response is to blame the coach when the team doesn't shoot well, but at some point the coach needs to bench players who aren't earning their keep.
I'm still in the Holtmann camp, but that's still Coaching.. it's his job to move Sueing to the bench with the second unit, and not have him out there in the closing lineup. And it's not just the shooting... bad turnovers, passing the ball to people with like 3 seconds on the play clock, repeatedly. it's between the ears.. he just crumbles down the stretch..
LMAO, why? What exactly has he done at OSU. 0 regular conference championships, 0 conference tournament championships, and never won a second-round game here. Exactly why would you support a very average, to a below average job?
True this team has some bad shooting and many including me sometimes would say, the offensive sets or lack thereof doesn’t our shooters in the best situations to make shots. Rutgers ran sets which eventually broke the defense down to gain a wide open shot. The bucks run a high ball screen not looking to best a man off of the dribble until there is a hand off. After the hand off it’s one on one to score the ball. Rutgers hedged the screen and the ball handler has no where to go. After that the offense becomes confused and ad-libs.
I used to get downvotes for saying Sueing needs to shoot less. He is a role player, he plays good defense - Nothing more, nothing less. He needs to understand his role. It was great starting Okpara, but you only play him 15 minutes? I always liked Coach H, but this losing streak is 100% on Holtmann, he's not playing the right guys.
Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect - Woody Hayes
It just boils down that the frosh are talented but will need seasoning. The major let down is the portal transfers and Sueing are bringing very little to the table regards to experience. They make as many fundamental mistakes as the freshmen. No leadership showing up anywhere. Key is not 100%, but those two low blocks misses before end of regulation from both sides of the rim were just crucial. If you are the go to guy and you have a isolation match up you have got to win those battles. Rutgers post was simply better.
The team is actually getting worse the more time he’s had them. This is one of the best teams and he’s once again going to waste a 1st rounder and various talent around him
What struggle to make the NIT ? I’ve said from day one as I scratched my head why the f-ck did we hire the bum, Holtmann has proved me right as failure after failure stacks up!! I’ll never give up on the Buckeyes , but I ve NEVER been onboard with Holtmann …time to burn it down and start over 3 yrs too late…when you really think about it, in the big money sports at t OSU Holtmann has been the only really bad hire in a long time…88,000.00 a week for this bullshit…felonious
North Carolina, Purdue, Maryland, Minnesota's only B1G win, gave it up to Rutgers twice in the same game. Ummm, not just Purdue. Only Nebraska and the team that beat us are below us in a 14 team conference. With this information, would you consider an alternative at head coach?
Starting to think our football team could beat our bball team, especially if Holtman is coaching the pick up game...The guy has to go. This is miserable to watch.
“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” - Will Rogers
He hasn't been great, but it's not just Coaching... he's looking RIGHT AT Bryce, waiving his arms and telling him to attack the basket... the coaching in that moment was spot on... and Bryce played hero ball and completely ignored the Coaching..
Always some excuse for Holtmann. It’s year 6 of accomplishing absolutely nothing and players aren’t listening to him. I was hoping it would work out but it’s probably time to go.
Not making an excuse.... just pointing out it's more than coaching... Bryce would have waived off Coach K... he wanted to be the hero.. and made a terrible decision at the end of regulation..
It just gets ridiculous ( same with football) that only the Coaches are at fault...just pointing out it can be both players and coaches..
Come on man. You’re asking people to support and give the benefit of the doubt to a coach who hasn’t won a single thing in 6 years and is currently 10-7. This is nothing like some of the ridiculous meltdowns people have about football. Holtmann deserves heat.
@Tcm1968 Holtmann deserves criticism for his lack of success. You are just mad the apologists can no longer defend Holtmann's poor coaching with their lame excuses over the years.
I don’t disagree with you at all. At the same time, I’m not seeing anyone else on the team who wants to take that shot. Everyone knows Brice is going to take that shot. Brice just needs more poise in those situations. I know, it’s tough to ask that out a freshman, but it is what separates the men from the boys.
Then Brice has 0 basketball IQ. Settling for a terrible 3 at the end of a tied game is an abysmal decision. Go towards the hoop and get a better shot or chance of being fouled. It worked for Minnesota.
They did the same shit against Purdue lol. Instead of driving to the basket, they take some stupid off balance prayer shot. Holtmann should actually bench some of these idiots for doing that. But to do that, you’d actually have to be a leader as a coach and Holtmann isn’t one
When telling the truth becomes a revolutionary concept, it’s wise to join the revolution
A SMART coach, like Izzo, would have called a TO and set up a winning play with 10 seconds left tied in regulation.........This dumpster fire is on Holtmann..........
I totally agree Sensabaugh looks totally uncoachable at this point and has since the North Carolina game, but that is the coaches problem to solve. Sensabaugh = Russell Westbrook at this point. All you geniuses they played into overtime in one of the toughest buildings in the Big Ten. I thought the team gave great effort today. ActionStanleyJackson don't have a clue what he is watching when the game is on. Ohio State won every statistical category except they had 13 To's and Rutgers had 10 They prob had 4 unforced errors fighting for rebounds against teammates. That is from not communicating and usually giving too much effort. Good ball game they lost. I'm not a Holtman fan but when these kids give effort like they did today I'm not going to sit here and bash them. That shows that you are a Moron!
I don’t waste $ by traveling to capital city anymore, learned to not watch the game and only check in periodically on the score on a game tracker so I don’t stroke out. I have vowed to never set foot in the Schott until Holtmann gets his 11W red banner, however long that takes …here’s hoping for a miracle turnaround…GO BUCKS!!
Beyond frustrating... Coach is waiving his arms to get Bryce to attack at the end of regulation, and he launches a deep 3 too soon.... you just need a point.. attack the freaking rim..
And maybe it's time to do something about the elephant in the room.... Sueing needs to come off the bench and not be out there in the closing lineup.. nothing but misses shots, turnovers and super poor decisions ( especially for a 6th year senior)... game after game...
Did anybody else watch this game, yawn, and know we’d lose? Chance to win in regulation and my heart rate stayed in the 60s predicting we wouldn’t make a play and get a good look, and low and behold a rushed three off the backboard with 5 seconds left. Fortunately Rutgers didn’t make something to beat us then. Holtmann doesn’t have a clue.
I said on another post that I could see a scenario in the next 2 year's where Holtman, Smith and Day aren't part of tOSU athletics. I said the aforementioned and some folk's got mad but Day is on a 2 game losing streak to a guy who had 1 and a half foot out the door at ttun, Holtman is and has been in over his head since he got to Columbus and guess who hired both of them? I Love tOSU but I'm telling you all now the aforementioned scenario is getting closer and closer to becoming reality.
Wildly disrespectful to put Days name in the same sentence as Holtmann. Day at least has shown an ability to coach and has much harsher expectations than Holtmann does.
Flipping between the finish in Piscataway and Orchard Park.
Jersey Mike's Arena was hopping, and Rutgers wanted this one. Understand the officiating fell short in some hot moments, but the Scarlet Knights earned this.
Sure looks like two programs going in opposite directions.
I'm not sure where Holtmann and company go from here, or I'm afraid to accept it.
"Character, like a photograph, develops in darkness." - Yousuf Karsh
This team just isn't that good. It doesn't look like we will need to worry about a quick exit from the NCAA tournament this year as they probably won't be invited.
I don't ever miss a game either. I shut off the Maryland game when they turned it over 4 straight times to begin the second half and have not watched this team since then.
No tournament this year. Unacceptable given all the "Holtmann is such a great recruiter" stuff we've been hearing for the last couple years. Time for Chris to go. Hate to say it, but the direction of the program is not good and he hasn't accomplished enough in six years to warrant staying on.
All games lost in the last few minutes mainly by garbage coaching and a team that looks unprepared to win in clutch time. Don’t see another win this month.
And February brings the heavy lifting in conference.
This team looks the same every year. Holtman has been running the same 3 boring plays his entire time here.
We haven’t had an exciting basketball team since David Lighty, Aaron craft, Deshawn Thomas and company.
Not giving the coaching staff a pass, but this game was on the players as well. Whoever is coaching defense is completely clueless! The defense gets best like a drum off the dribble. What killed the team today mostly was, poise, defense and not willing to rebound defensively.
This team still plays like they don’t know each other and are playing pick-up rec ball. Holtman doesn’t know how to maximize scheme for the talent he has in the floor. CH would be great at O Wesleyan.
Sueing does not need to be in on close games.He takes bad shots, turns the ball over, shoots to much, and plays lazy defense, Okpara was playing really good and he takes him out and look at all the offensive rebounds they get horrible coaching.
There is a bunch of individuals on this roster, no one wants to play as a team, Bryce thinks he’s a superstar and makes terrible decisions and turnovers at the most inconvenient times, Justice is a walking turnover waiting to happen, and McNeal panics when he has to dribble the ball, and then you add in Holmanns terrible in game coaching and subbing and you are seeing what you get, this is not anything close to a tournament team right now and they way the ship is heading I think it’s about to sink.
End of game sets are always high screen, dribble dribble, poor shot. The guys lack composure on the floor and it looks like a product of the coaching. Chris is a nice guy, runs a good program, but f me. Takes a timeout and stands around for 30 seconds with a blank expression on his face, clearly not knowing what to do or how to elevate his team to a higher level. Year after year. Done.
Basketball is a team game. Win as a team, lose as a team. But Justice Sueing has been absolutely brutal now in three games down the stretch. Purdue, Minnesota (defensively), and now Rutgers. I know he's the team captain but let's give Gayle some burn and get his confidence up.
I don't understand why OSU doesn't foul to extend the game. Trapping and trying to cause turnovers isn't a strength of this team. Not to mention, B1G refs like calling fouls, so make it easy for them.
It's so maddening that Holtmann got an extension last year. It would have been so easy to just let his contract expire and just go hire Pat Kelsey. Now Gene won't want to make the move right after extending him.
I’ve been saying this for months. Let Holtmann go and give Diebler the rest of the season to see what he can do. If that doesn’t work, start again in the off-season. Can’t imagine Gene truly believes our ambitions for the basketball program are being met by Holtmann.
1. When is Gene Smith and the athletic department going to start saying 20 win seasons with horrible mid-season slumps are not enough to save Holtmann? It happens every year no matter what players he has or how good or bad the conference is.
2. Justice Sueing has cost this team 4 wins this year by himself. He threw away the Purdue game, his lack of effort and poor decisions were devastating in the Maryland, North Carolina and at least one other game. It's inexcusable for a player with his experience to play like he has at the end of games.
3. Why aren't we seeing more of Roddy Gayle? He outhustles, out defends and has more upside than Sueing and Holden but he gets minimal minutes every game. I've said this about the football and basketball teams but if we're going struggle either way I'd rather see a young player with promise get playing time over a veteran that seems to feel entitled to his spot.
2. Justice Sueing has cost this team 4 wins this year by himself. He threw away
Roddy Gayle needs to get more playing time than Sueing he's horrible, late in games and Holtzman just keeps him in the game like he doesn't see all the mistakes he's making.
Holtmann is in a quandary. His best freshman player likes to do his own thing and not listen to his head coach, but if you don’t play him who is going to score? Zed had an off game scoring, but he’s the only other guy you can count on. Need to try to run more offensive sets for McNeil to shoot, but not sure enough guys are buying what Holtmann’s trying to sell.
When the head coach loses the team, it won’t end well. Tough to recruit playmakers who are also team first guys. Not very many of them these days.
Sueing is a turnover machine and makes too many poor decisions. Likekele, yea he's a decent big PG, but he can't shoot. Might as well start playing Holden and Gayle more.
Rutgers is a decent team and losing at their place is not horrible. Frankly am surprised we had a chance to win.
Unfortunately things will probably have to get much worse before they can get better. Maybe missing the tourney this year will help move us a step closer to getting the kind of coach that can get this program back to where it belongs.
I compare this to cheering for a tanking football team but instead hoping for the coach to be canned. I’m worried about keeping the recruiting class intact but what good is it if we’re stuck in this purgatory for years to come?
My only question is how bad does this have to get before he’s gone this year? I figured he would get two years but man, I’m starting to doubt that. This is a full blown disaster
Unfortunately I think this year is a pass. He will cry high turnover and a young team and Gene will give him a stay of execution.
Holtmann has done nothing in six years. No championships. Hasn’t gotten past the first weekend of the tournament. No tournament this year. Loses every January like clockwork.
Overall he's 23-21 in January. It's become a meme, but 12-8 in the last 20 January games. One season they went like 1-7 in January and that kind of set the meme in motion. However, in Holtmann's first season, the team was 8-1 in January.
This game was lost in the first 5 minutes due to Holtmanns starting lineup,very sad effort. Ice is terrible on offense,Justice is going through the motions,Okpara is a project that may get better in 2 years. I feel sorry for the guys on the bench who work hard all week and then have to sit and watch other guys play who don't seem to care.
One would think OSU having ball possession and a tie score with 16 seconds left in regulation Holtmann would call a TO to set up a winning play. Instead he's like a windmill waving his arms to Brice hurry up from the bench to shoot....
WTF......
One can't help wonder when the empty suit is going to fire this guy.......That's FIVE games that have been lost LOST directly because of bad coaching........
"North Carolina
Purdue
Maryland
Minnesota
Rutgers
All games lost in the last few minutes mainly by garbage coaching and a team that looks unprepared to win in clutch time. Don’t see another win this month."
And why was OSU's leading scorer sitting on the bench for over 5 minutes to start each half?
The reason Holtman didn’t call a time out is because he’s not capable of drawing up a winning play. He was hoping that his freshman could bail him out!
Prob because he shot 30% last 2 games and is pretty much uncoachable at this point. He plays Zero defense! If you score 20 and give up 15 from bad defense and turnovers. your net is 5 points. LOL
Two evenly matched teams played two epic games this season. OSU will rattle off a streak soon enough. RU will hit a funk at some point with their inconsistent scoring.
Had Sueing not been hurt all last season and been in the lineup for 35+ minutes a game, Holtmann would have been on the chopping block last year and never got any extension. This season was over the minute the doctors said Sueing was healed and he was returning reinvigorated for one more run. lol
- Bobby Boucher is the best Foosball QB since Joe Mantegna -
How many loose balls did they fail to get, they ended up as offensive rebounds or team rebounds for Rutgers, seemed as if every loose ball ended up in the possession of Rutgers.
Another game of less than 40% shooting from the field and get to the foul line just 12 times in 45 minutes, with two of the 12 being a technical on the coach. Sueing and Thornton with bad shooting games yet again, the team is forced to ride on the back of Sensabaugh, He scored 17 points combined in the second half and overtime.
Zed was a single rebound away from two players having a double double in the same game, I wonder when the last time that happened?
Every possession on offense looks like a true struggle to get a shot off especially in late game situations.
I realize the Bucks made mistakes down the stretch that cost them the game (like not calling a TO towards the end of regulation), but I don't see one comment calling out the crap refs. The BS shot-clock violation because whoever's running the clock didn't know how to reset it, also nullifying putting Zed to the foul line. They even reviewed that, how the hell did Rutgers get the ball? Or McNeil's total BS 5th foul. So blocking out a shooter after he lands from his 3-pt attempt gives the shooter 3 shots? Seriously?
And yes, Holtmann shit the bed too. Should've called a TO to win it in regulation instead of letting Suing chuck up another 3 pt miss.
So genius what do you do about bad refs, WTF does calling them out do? Not a dam thing! Another clueless fan trying to look like he knows a thing about a sport! In abundance on here!
The team played really hard today, this would have been a tough game to win if they were on a10 game winning streak.
Traditionally, most of Holtman's teams wait till the first or second week of February to completely crater the season with a large string of L's. They started early this year.
I was looking back in the coaching history , would have to go back to Floyd Stahl 1950-58 to find a worse coach than Holtmann …and yes at this point Eldon Miller was a better coach than fucking Holtmann’s worthless ass
It depends on how you define "worst coach." Is "worst coach" defined as a slightly above record with no conference titles, Big Ten championships, lack of NCAA Tournament success like Holtmann or a coach who can at least win a conference title, some NCAA Tournament success and has had a very dismal seasons like Randy Ayers.
I’ve been a Holtmann defender for a while, but I can’t anymore. May as well let him finish the season, unless it crashes and burns, but after that it’s time to move on to someone else.
"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed, is more important than any other one thing." - Abraham Lincoln
Even my 22 year old nephew, who supported Holtmann two years ago and last year, has given up on the legitimate talks that this team is a year away. Now he texts me with the sarcasm that Holtmann will finally have alll of his guys next year lol. Next year isn’t arriving as long as this guy is coaching here
When telling the truth becomes a revolutionary concept, it’s wise to join the revolution
Holtmann could have won this game with 18 seconds left to spare with one timeout left at the end of regulation to call one last final play. He didn't use the timeout and the team choked in the end. Why do you have Sueing take three shots when he is seventh on the team shooting percentage at 27.9%. Key has a higher 3 point percentage at 30% which isn't great either.
New word for today Holtmann "Tip Drill" They don't know how to do in games
I dont follow college basketball as closely as I used to...but, this seems fairly consistent with Buckeyes and Holtman.....lose close games and/or lose 2nd half leads primarily in the back half of the season. Wish the Buckeyes well. Keep fighting.
Hate to disappoint everyone but unless this team ends up at or near the bottom of B1G standings AND there is a mass exodus to the transfer portal of current players Holt will be here next year. Just saying Gene is not letting him go after one bad year.
Hate to disappoint everyone but unless this team ends up at or near the bottom of B1G standings AND there is a mass exodus to the transfer portal of current players
These things can still realistically happen, and the odds probably aren’t that long
When telling the truth becomes a revolutionary concept, it’s wise to join the revolution
I am always hoping the Buckeyes can win every game but now I really want this shitshow to extend as long as possible and force Gene Smith's hand to pull the plug. Yes, there will be transfers and loss of commits and the program may really suck badly for a year or two but it is like remodeling an old house and tearing out the rot. Put in new product and start over. I do not have any names as possible replacements but the job at Ohio St. has got to be very attractive and do not settle for the 10th choice like Smith did with Holtmann. The right amount of $$$$$$$$$$$$$ will get you a very good choice.
The bottom line is the bottom line. Let's admit (!!) the man had a very good rookie season. KUDOS on that. OK, that's behind us. Now, let's also state we are in YEAR 6 and NOT A REASONABLE SNIFF of Big10 Championship OR NCAA Sweet 16 (yeah, forget final 4's). I'm not saying we are a hoops blue blood. I am saying we've got EVERYTHING needed (facilities, money, etc.) to have a MUCH higher bar of achievement. I'm like almost everybody else here, no real experience in what I'm typing, just a long time fan, but the Minnesota game where he was mic'd up told me alot. In the second half, it was all about procedural strategy (call a time out here, call a timeout there, wait to throw the ball in, the laundry list was long and boring and had zero to do with matchup coaching and adjustments, his players listening about half the time). He seems like a great guy, very nice, very pleasant, probably a great person outside the court. Give him his buy-out, let's move on. It's time.
- year 2 was rough due to recruiting in Thads last 2 years ('15 class was gone from the program before Holt got here and '16 was probably Thads weakest class).
- Year 3 wasn't a bad year, reached #2 in the nation early on, then Carton went AWOL and injuries pilled up. We still ended up in the top 20 and woulda been a 4/5 seed had the tourney occurred.
- Year 4, reached top 4 in the nation and were ranked 4th through mid February then Young got hurt and Washington chucked up bricks in the NCAA tourney game.
- Year 5 was hit by injuries again. Sueing and Towns out for the year, Young, Meechie and Brown missed time the second half of the season. Finished 4th in the conference, won a tourney game, so hard to say it was a bad year.
- This year was always going to be a rebuilding year with the number of departures and only 2 guys who played the previous year returning. Incoming class is good and flashed early. Transfers were solid pick ups for depth/experience, but no "game changers". Going through a rough patch with a couple of poor effort games (MD, MN) and a couple of tough luck games with Key getting hurt against Purdue and some really crappy reffing at RU (watched it at least a dozen times and still don't know what that call was on McNeil that gave them three foul shots).
I get it, lots of folks think its a failure of a season if you don't win the conference or make the FF. Those folks will never be happy and are the same types that were complaining when Thad fell short in the NCAA tourney and would have been calling for coaches like K, Wright, etc to be fired after their first three seasons. I do think Holtmann needs to show that he can elevate the program in the next few years. He's elevated recruiting and will get a couple of years to see if that recruiting leads to better results.
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At this point, OSU is just burning cash keeping Holtmann. It’s sad and pathetic. 4 straight losses!
Time for Holtmann to turn in his whistle
Time for more Holden, less Sueing. You just can't go 3-10 with only 3 boards in 34 minutes as a starting senior swing player. His shooting slump is horrendous and he's singlehandedly cost this team at least 2 games. I don't understand why the immediate response is to blame the coach when the team doesn't shoot well, but at some point the coach needs to bench players who aren't earning their keep.
I'm still in the Holtmann camp, but that's still Coaching.. it's his job to move Sueing to the bench with the second unit, and not have him out there in the closing lineup. And it's not just the shooting... bad turnovers, passing the ball to people with like 3 seconds on the play clock, repeatedly. it's between the ears.. he just crumbles down the stretch..
Time for Sueing to head to the bench...
Go Bucks!!!
Still in the Holtmann camp, huh. So which pathetic excuse do you cling to?
I don't always finish my sentences but when I do
LMAO, why? What exactly has he done at OSU. 0 regular conference championships, 0 conference tournament championships, and never won a second-round game here. Exactly why would you support a very average, to a below average job?
Apparently fans like you strive for mediocrity
You WIN with people.
WW Hayes
True this team has some bad shooting and many including me sometimes would say, the offensive sets or lack thereof doesn’t our shooters in the best situations to make shots. Rutgers ran sets which eventually broke the defense down to gain a wide open shot. The bucks run a high ball screen not looking to best a man off of the dribble until there is a hand off. After the hand off it’s one on one to score the ball. Rutgers hedged the screen and the ball handler has no where to go. After that the offense becomes confused and ad-libs.
I don't think Sueing has been the same since his late game turnover. I don't think it's my imagination. I think it's in his head.
I'm at the age where food has taken the place of sex in my life. In fact, I've just had a mirror put over my kitchen table. - Rodney Dangerfield
He lazy and careless with the ball, makes bad passes and thinks that he has handles, is that his or the staffs fault, that's the question.
Sani
That is on the staff. Two years ago Holtmann talked at times of using Sueing at the point. What a genius move that would be.
I used to get downvotes for saying Sueing needs to shoot less. He is a role player, he plays good defense - Nothing more, nothing less. He needs to understand his role. It was great starting Okpara, but you only play him 15 minutes? I always liked Coach H, but this losing streak is 100% on Holtmann, he's not playing the right guys.
Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect - Woody Hayes
When you win, say nothing. When you lose, say less.
It just boils down that the frosh are talented but will need seasoning. The major let down is the portal transfers and Sueing are bringing very little to the table regards to experience. They make as many fundamental mistakes as the freshmen. No leadership showing up anywhere. Key is not 100%, but those two low blocks misses before end of regulation from both sides of the rim were just crucial. If you are the go to guy and you have a isolation match up you have got to win those battles. Rutgers post was simply better.
The team is actually getting worse the more time he’s had them. This is one of the best teams and he’s once again going to waste a 1st rounder and various talent around him
Wait til they start to jump ship after this year
When telling the truth becomes a revolutionary concept, it’s wise to join the revolution
Such a sad, sad time for those in Buckeye Nation who support the men's basketball team. Oh, days of glory, wherefore hath thou gone?
Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game. -- Michael Jordan
Tic-tok, holtmann
Safe to say the season is over.
This is definitely where I parked my car.
This team will struggle to make the tourney
What struggle to make the NIT ? I’ve said from day one as I scratched my head why the f-ck did we hire the bum, Holtmann has proved me right as failure after failure stacks up!! I’ll never give up on the Buckeyes , but I ve NEVER been onboard with Holtmann …time to burn it down and start over 3 yrs too late…when you really think about it, in the big money sports at t OSU Holtmann has been the only really bad hire in a long time…88,000.00 a week for this bullshit…felonious
NWObuckeye
They could probably do better without the coach. I’m really not exaggerating.
I nominate Stpetebuck!
Have to win the B1G Tournament, and that’s not happening.
We were 1 press break against Purdue away from being really good and now we have to fire Holtmann. CBB is wild.
Rephrased:
We have the pieces on the team to be really good (including a lottery pick)
We lack offensive strategy and sets, coherent lineups, and clutch play calling late in the game.
That’s coaching.
Dang you just beat me to the punch.
We also lack a strategy to beat a full court press.
BuckeyeRocket
Really need to isolate the mismatches where we have thme more often. We have NBA type talent at dome positions. The iso from time to time is there
That was because of the talent on the floor. Not the coaching.
North Carolina, Purdue, Maryland, Minnesota's only B1G win, gave it up to Rutgers twice in the same game. Ummm, not just Purdue. Only Nebraska and the team that beat us are below us in a 14 team conference. With this information, would you consider an alternative at head coach?
Our people are everywhere, Esto Dignus.
Starting to think our football team could beat our bball team, especially if Holtman is coaching the pick up game...The guy has to go. This is miserable to watch.
“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” - Will Rogers
Ha ha ha! Holtmann is just awful
When telling the truth becomes a revolutionary concept, it’s wise to join the revolution
Holtmann is just a terrible in game coach.
Team looks cooked. Four more January losses coming.
Stay gold, Ponyboy.
He hasn't been great, but it's not just Coaching... he's looking RIGHT AT Bryce, waiving his arms and telling him to attack the basket... the coaching in that moment was spot on... and Bryce played hero ball and completely ignored the Coaching..
Go Bucks!!
Then there is a systemic problem in the program.
Stay gold, Ponyboy.
Always some excuse for Holtmann. It’s year 6 of accomplishing absolutely nothing and players aren’t listening to him. I was hoping it would work out but it’s probably time to go.
Not making an excuse.... just pointing out it's more than coaching... Bryce would have waived off Coach K... he wanted to be the hero.. and made a terrible decision at the end of regulation..
It just gets ridiculous ( same with football) that only the Coaches are at fault...just pointing out it can be both players and coaches..
Go Bucks!!!
Getting the players to listen to you is part of his job. He recruited all these players. So yes it’s his fault.
No point in even arguing.... this site for basketball getting just as bad as football... sad..
Go Bucks!!!!
Come on man. You’re asking people to support and give the benefit of the doubt to a coach who hasn’t won a single thing in 6 years and is currently 10-7. This is nothing like some of the ridiculous meltdowns people have about football. Holtmann deserves heat.
Every bit of it ….in fact TURN UP THE HEAT!!
NWObuckeye
Here's the heat that needs to be turned up! Cook him!
Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game. -- Michael Jordan
@Tcm1968 Holtmann deserves criticism for his lack of success. You are just mad the apologists can no longer defend Holtmann's poor coaching with their lame excuses over the years.
BuckeyeYankee
I don’t disagree with you at all. At the same time, I’m not seeing anyone else on the team who wants to take that shot. Everyone knows Brice is going to take that shot. Brice just needs more poise in those situations. I know, it’s tough to ask that out a freshman, but it is what separates the men from the boys.
Then Brice has 0 basketball IQ. Settling for a terrible 3 at the end of a tied game is an abysmal decision. Go towards the hoop and get a better shot or chance of being fouled. It worked for Minnesota.
OSUCOM 2008 Graduate. Go Bucks!
They did the same shit against Purdue lol. Instead of driving to the basket, they take some stupid off balance prayer shot. Holtmann should actually bench some of these idiots for doing that. But to do that, you’d actually have to be a leader as a coach and Holtmann isn’t one
When telling the truth becomes a revolutionary concept, it’s wise to join the revolution
Not disagreeing. I would say he has the natural ability to score. If he could couple that with a high basketball IQ then he would be lethal.
Your 52 point Summer League Hero is a selfish basketball player at this point! Him a Sueing took forced shots today
A SMART coach, like Izzo, would have called a TO and set up a winning play with 10 seconds left tied in regulation.........This dumpster fire is on Holtmann..........
Saban on a cart eating cold pizza
Coach K would have had a play called.
Holtmann does not. He just yells “let’s go”.
So 1:1 (ala Washington Jr) is still Holtmann’s only game winning set he can call?
I don’t recall him ever drawing up a great play to win the game aside from Akron.
Shooter would run The Picket Fence at ‘em.
I totally agree Sensabaugh looks totally uncoachable at this point and has since the North Carolina game, but that is the coaches problem to solve. Sensabaugh = Russell Westbrook at this point. All you geniuses they played into overtime in one of the toughest buildings in the Big Ten. I thought the team gave great effort today. ActionStanleyJackson don't have a clue what he is watching when the game is on. Ohio State won every statistical category except they had 13 To's and Rutgers had 10 They prob had 4 unforced errors fighting for rebounds against teammates. That is from not communicating and usually giving too much effort. Good ball game they lost. I'm not a Holtman fan but when these kids give effort like they did today I'm not going to sit here and bash them. That shows that you are a Moron!
Holtmann is just collecting a paycheck. He should stay home and watch the game on TV. His late game management is horrible.
…….possibly 6 in a row.; January and beyond.
They look Cooked!
Holtman + NIL = Good recruiter.
mediocre Div 2 coach.
Fair. Add good guy to the plus column. Should be a mid major coach and win a conference title before getting into top tier.
Our people are everywhere, Esto Dignus.
Maybe we can get Sean Miller from Xavier as our next coach. Maybe??!
http://URLWoody 1
Pitino is at Iona. His style of recruiting is legal now. Really good coach.
This comment made me laugh so hard it should be upvoted x 100 lol! Really spot on lol
Wash, Rinse , Repeat. Can’t rebound when It matters. Turn the ball over when it matters. Once again being out coached. Just gets so old. Go Bucks
Go Bucks
Was so F'in predictable.
Justice delayed is justice denied....#FTP
What a waste of two hours. Should’ve known this team would blow it in clutch time and that’s exactly what they did.
I don’t waste $ by traveling to capital city anymore, learned to not watch the game and only check in periodically on the score on a game tracker so I don’t stroke out. I have vowed to never set foot in the Schott until Holtmann gets his 11W red banner, however long that takes …here’s hoping for a miracle turnaround…GO BUCKS!!
NWObuckeye
Beyond frustrating... Coach is waiving his arms to get Bryce to attack at the end of regulation, and he launches a deep 3 too soon.... you just need a point.. attack the freaking rim..
And maybe it's time to do something about the elephant in the room.... Sueing needs to come off the bench and not be out there in the closing lineup.. nothing but misses shots, turnovers and super poor decisions ( especially for a 6th year senior)... game after game...
Go Bucks!!!
Horrible offense. Just horrible. Rebounding was bad too.
Around the house doing other things and checked in from time to time. You just know they won’t win. They don’t have it in them.
Gregory
Frustrating to watch this team. Hope they can come together somewhat as the season goes on.
You Got Barbecue Back There!?!?!?!
Coffee is for CLOSERS.
OH-IO Goodbye Columbus.
Holtmann has just done an awful job with the team this year.
Just this year?
NWObuckeye
I mean I’ve never been a big fan because of his constant choking but we were at least a 2 seed once. This year has just been pathetic.
How’d he do as a two seed?
Did anybody else watch this game, yawn, and know we’d lose? Chance to win in regulation and my heart rate stayed in the 60s predicting we wouldn’t make a play and get a good look, and low and behold a rushed three off the backboard with 5 seconds left. Fortunately Rutgers didn’t make something to beat us then. Holtmann doesn’t have a clue.
I will not be surprised if they drop 5 out of the next 6 I cant understand why they extended him in the first place.
You WIN with people.
WW Hayes
Glad I’ve been watching the Wild Card Game.
Likekele ain't helping. We were playing better ball before he rejoined the team. He's giving us nothing.
Also, remember when we said having a true point guard like Thornton would make a big difference on the offensive end? I'm not seeing it right now.
Really??!! The last possession in regulation …..
They may not make the B1G Tournament at this rate.
New Day for OSU. Same noon for TTUN.
recruit a rebounder
Collards
This team, program has no chemistry. Holtmann looks lost every game. Guys not listening to anyone.
Program hasn’t looked this dire since the dying days of Ayers. And just no improvement on the horizon.
Stay gold, Ponyboy.
I said on another post that I could see a scenario in the next 2 year's where Holtman, Smith and Day aren't part of tOSU athletics. I said the aforementioned and some folk's got mad but Day is on a 2 game losing streak to a guy who had 1 and a half foot out the door at ttun, Holtman is and has been in over his head since he got to Columbus and guess who hired both of them? I Love tOSU but I'm telling you all now the aforementioned scenario is getting closer and closer to becoming reality.
GO BUCKS
Smith is the best in the business. He should rid OSU of Holtmann and give Day a couple more chances.
"Tough times don't last, tough people do" - Gregory Peck
Best in the business?? He extended Holtmann before the season. Yeah, miss me with that best in the business crap. Gene is an average AD.
Wildly disrespectful to put Days name in the same sentence as Holtmann. Day at least has shown an ability to coach and has much harsher expectations than Holtmann does.
Fire Holtmann! Not calling TO on last possession is a sin and poor coaching.
Clark Kellogg (Trustee) in first row was not amused.
Clark is my favorite Buckeye BB player (never saw Lucas, Hondo, and Haskins) and a great game analyst. I would love to hear what he thinks right now.
Our people are everywhere, Esto Dignus.
His out of bounds plays suck anyways. The players just kind of mosey around like 4-year olds playing soccer then we just lob it in.
We know we know. You have hated him from day 1. Thought you weren’t going to watch anymore?
NIT, NIT, maybe
"Tough times don't last, tough people do" - Gregory Peck
Flipping between the finish in Piscataway and Orchard Park.
Jersey Mike's Arena was hopping, and Rutgers wanted this one. Understand the officiating fell short in some hot moments, but the Scarlet Knights earned this.
Sure looks like two programs going in opposite directions.
I'm not sure where Holtmann and company go from here, or I'm afraid to accept it.
"Character, like a photograph, develops in darkness." - Yousuf Karsh
Enough talk.
Fair, accurate and even generous Hove.
Our people are everywhere, Esto Dignus.
Same sh*t, different day....
go buckeyes...
1-2 sucks!
This so much this…every flipping January
This team just isn't that good. It doesn't look like we will need to worry about a quick exit from the NCAA tournament this year as they probably won't be invited.
Win, Lose, or Tie...I'm a Buckeye until I die!
I'm so frustrated with Holtman I watched football instead. I never skip an Ohio State game, but I knew what would happen.
Go Bucks!
I don't ever miss a game either. I shut off the Maryland game when they turned it over 4 straight times to begin the second half and have not watched this team since then.
No tournament this year. Unacceptable given all the "Holtmann is such a great recruiter" stuff we've been hearing for the last couple years. Time for Chris to go. Hate to say it, but the direction of the program is not good and he hasn't accomplished enough in six years to warrant staying on.
We can't stop here; this is bat country...
North Carolina
Purdue
Maryland
Minnesota
Rutgers
All games lost in the last few minutes mainly by garbage coaching and a team that looks unprepared to win in clutch time. Don’t see another win this month.
And February brings the heavy lifting in conference.
Stay gold, Ponyboy.
This team is going to end up down with Minnesota and Nebraska.
Sorry, I commented before reading this. Same thoughts but you were first.
Our people are everywhere, Esto Dignus.
This team looks the same every year. Holtman has been running the same 3 boring plays his entire time here.
We haven’t had an exciting basketball team since David Lighty, Aaron craft, Deshawn Thomas and company.
osuflash
Looks identical every year, regardless of lineup.
Not giving the coaching staff a pass, but this game was on the players as well. Whoever is coaching defense is completely clueless! The defense gets best like a drum off the dribble. What killed the team today mostly was, poise, defense and not willing to rebound defensively.
2023 has been a hell of a year, and it’s mid January.
This team still plays like they don’t know each other and are playing pick-up rec ball. Holtman doesn’t know how to maximize scheme for the talent he has in the floor. CH would be great at O Wesleyan.
Ten and Seven. Two and Four. What does that equal? Perhaps the year Holtmann gets fired.
Gene Smith EXTENDED his contract before this year too, hilarious
Sueing does not need to be in on close games.He takes bad shots, turns the ball over, shoots to much, and plays lazy defense, Okpara was playing really good and he takes him out and look at all the offensive rebounds they get horrible coaching.
HB
There is a bunch of individuals on this roster, no one wants to play as a team, Bryce thinks he’s a superstar and makes terrible decisions and turnovers at the most inconvenient times, Justice is a walking turnover waiting to happen, and McNeal panics when he has to dribble the ball, and then you add in Holmanns terrible in game coaching and subbing and you are seeing what you get, this is not anything close to a tournament team right now and they way the ship is heading I think it’s about to sink.
End of game sets are always high screen, dribble dribble, poor shot. The guys lack composure on the floor and it looks like a product of the coaching. Chris is a nice guy, runs a good program, but f me. Takes a timeout and stands around for 30 seconds with a blank expression on his face, clearly not knowing what to do or how to elevate his team to a higher level. Year after year. Done.
End of game sets? That’s the entire games sets. Oh and throw in a 3 man weave here and there.
Basketball is a team game. Win as a team, lose as a team. But Justice Sueing has been absolutely brutal now in three games down the stretch. Purdue, Minnesota (defensively), and now Rutgers. I know he's the team captain but let's give Gayle some burn and get his confidence up.
I don't understand why OSU doesn't foul to extend the game. Trapping and trying to cause turnovers isn't a strength of this team. Not to mention, B1G refs like calling fouls, so make it easy for them.
DSparks
Rutgers went to the line 15 more times than the Bucks. No shortage of fouling. It was basically the difference in the game.
Who runs the Offense they look lost, they have hard times even trying to pass the ball it's horrible.
HB
Buckeyes beat Rutgers!! Oh wait, that was the wrestling Buckeyes that came through with a win against the Scarlet Knights this afternoon! Go Bucks!
“When you win, say nothing. When you lose, say less.” — Paul Brown
and the Rutgers hockey team just forfeited.
It's so maddening that Holtmann got an extension last year. It would have been so easy to just let his contract expire and just go hire Pat Kelsey. Now Gene won't want to make the move right after extending him.
tOSU
can afford the buyout easily.
Yes, they can but will Gene do it?
Absolutely not, that would require Gene Smith to accept any sort of responsibility that he made the wrong move
Because.........he's an empty suit.......
Saban on a cart eating cold pizza
I’ve been saying this for months. Let Holtmann go and give Diebler the rest of the season to see what he can do. If that doesn’t work, start again in the off-season. Can’t imagine Gene truly believes our ambitions for the basketball program are being met by Holtmann.
Hey, we improved from 5 assists to 7 assists! Yes, it took 5 extra minutes to get there, but this is real improvement!
Ugh
The most "loud mouth, disrespect" poster on 11W.
3 things:
1. When is Gene Smith and the athletic department going to start saying 20 win seasons with horrible mid-season slumps are not enough to save Holtmann? It happens every year no matter what players he has or how good or bad the conference is.
2. Justice Sueing has cost this team 4 wins this year by himself. He threw away the Purdue game, his lack of effort and poor decisions were devastating in the Maryland, North Carolina and at least one other game. It's inexcusable for a player with his experience to play like he has at the end of games.
3. Why aren't we seeing more of Roddy Gayle? He outhustles, out defends and has more upside than Sueing and Holden but he gets minimal minutes every game. I've said this about the football and basketball teams but if we're going struggle either way I'd rather see a young player with promise get playing time over a veteran that seems to feel entitled to his spot.
2. Justice Sueing has cost this team 4 wins this year by himself. He threw away
Si vis pacem parabellum.
Roddy Gayle needs to get more playing time than Sueing he's horrible, late in games and Holtzman just keeps him in the game like he doesn't see all the mistakes he's making.
HB
why did we have Thornton driving for a 2 point shot ...down 6 with 28 seconds to go?
Hope that wasn't Coach H call.
Holtmann is in a quandary. His best freshman player likes to do his own thing and not listen to his head coach, but if you don’t play him who is going to score? Zed had an off game scoring, but he’s the only other guy you can count on. Need to try to run more offensive sets for McNeil to shoot, but not sure enough guys are buying what Holtmann’s trying to sell.
When the head coach loses the team, it won’t end well. Tough to recruit playmakers who are also team first guys. Not very many of them these days.
There is still amazing NIL. Might be why we still get this type of talent.
^This.
A higher percentage of the offense should be run through Thornton, McNeil and Gayle.
Sueing is a turnover machine and makes too many poor decisions. Likekele, yea he's a decent big PG, but he can't shoot. Might as well start playing Holden and Gayle more.
“ Give credit to Rutgers. I thought their guys played hard.”
Chris Holtmann
Stay gold, Ponyboy.
Rutgers is a decent team and losing at their place is not horrible. Frankly am surprised we had a chance to win.
Unfortunately things will probably have to get much worse before they can get better. Maybe missing the tourney this year will help move us a step closer to getting the kind of coach that can get this program back to where it belongs.
I compare this to cheering for a tanking football team but instead hoping for the coach to be canned. I’m worried about keeping the recruiting class intact but what good is it if we’re stuck in this purgatory for years to come?
Not really sure what else you can say anymore.
My only question is how bad does this have to get before he’s gone this year? I figured he would get two years but man, I’m starting to doubt that. This is a full blown disaster
"We didn't play with enough force tonight"
Unfortunately I think this year is a pass. He will cry high turnover and a young team and Gene will give him a stay of execution.
Holtmann has done nothing in six years. No championships. Hasn’t gotten past the first weekend of the tournament. No tournament this year. Loses every January like clockwork.
Don’t think gene even cares.
Stay gold, Ponyboy.
Harsh to say he’s done nothing…no other OSU head coach has ever lost to a 15-seed! That’s gotta count for something right lol
"We didn't play with enough force tonight"
So, what’s the excuse now?
otis68
Januaries under Holtmann... Not like we didn't see this skid coming.
Comment removed for violating the site's commenting policy
Januaries under Holtmann... Not like we didn't see this skid coming.
Comment removed for violating the site's commenting policy
Need this comment 4 more times
Our people are everywhere, Esto Dignus.
Overall he's 23-21 in January. It's become a meme, but 12-8 in the last 20 January games. One season they went like 1-7 in January and that kind of set the meme in motion. However, in Holtmann's first season, the team was 8-1 in January.
Oh so he was good with Thad's players, interesting....
Yeah ... 25-9 that season. One of his best.
Sigh. I don't what else to say about the basketball program anymore.
Holtmann has been at OSU for a handful of years and has failed to develop players
This game was lost in the first 5 minutes due to Holtmanns starting lineup,very sad effort. Ice is terrible on offense,Justice is going through the motions,Okpara is a project that may get better in 2 years. I feel sorry for the guys on the bench who work hard all week and then have to sit and watch other guys play who don't seem to care.
Raider85
One would think OSU having ball possession and a tie score with 16 seconds left in regulation Holtmann would call a TO to set up a winning play. Instead he's like a windmill waving his arms to Brice hurry up from the bench to shoot....
WTF......
One can't help wonder when the empty suit is going to fire this guy.......That's FIVE games that have been lost LOST directly because of bad coaching........
"North Carolina
Purdue
Maryland
Minnesota
Rutgers
All games lost in the last few minutes mainly by garbage coaching and a team that looks unprepared to win in clutch time. Don’t see another win this month."
And why was OSU's leading scorer sitting on the bench for over 5 minutes to start each half?
THAT deserves another WTF?
Saban on a cart eating cold pizza
The reason Holtman didn’t call a time out is because he’s not capable of drawing up a winning play. He was hoping that his freshman could bail him out!
Prob because he shot 30% last 2 games and is pretty much uncoachable at this point. He plays Zero defense! If you score 20 and give up 15 from bad defense and turnovers. your net is 5 points. LOL
Two evenly matched teams played two epic games this season. OSU will rattle off a streak soon enough. RU will hit a funk at some point with their inconsistent scoring.
Probably not. But thanks.
Stay gold, Ponyboy.
So how many games will this losing streak be before the next win? Why is Holtmann still employed at TOSU?
At Nebraska. Tough place to play. Iowa at home. They seem to play osu well.
Not winning at Illinois, at Indiana or vs Wisconsin
Stay gold, Ponyboy.
So is this your prediction? I'll save this!
Over the next 5 games? I will say they win 1 or 2 of those 5.
Stay gold, Ponyboy.
Indiana is terrible
Not that terrible unfortunately.
Our people are everywhere, Esto Dignus.
They crushed Wisconsin yesterday, and they still have Trayce Jackson-Davis.
It’s egregious Gene Smith extended his contract after last season. It might actually be worse than Holtmann’s coaching.
Had Sueing not been hurt all last season and been in the lineup for 35+ minutes a game, Holtmann would have been on the chopping block last year and never got any extension. This season was over the minute the doctors said Sueing was healed and he was returning reinvigorated for one more run. lol
- Bobby Boucher is the best Foosball QB since Joe Mantegna -
I just can't see what Gene Smith sees in Holtmann.
Knowledge isn't free, you have to pay attention
I miss the days of having a powerhouse hoops program. It always made the winter and spring so much more damn fun.
Fire this motherfucker
Is anyone really surprised at this point?
How many loose balls did they fail to get, they ended up as offensive rebounds or team rebounds for Rutgers, seemed as if every loose ball ended up in the possession of Rutgers.
Another game of less than 40% shooting from the field and get to the foul line just 12 times in 45 minutes, with two of the 12 being a technical on the coach. Sueing and Thornton with bad shooting games yet again, the team is forced to ride on the back of Sensabaugh, He scored 17 points combined in the second half and overtime.
Zed was a single rebound away from two players having a double double in the same game, I wonder when the last time that happened?
Every possession on offense looks like a true struggle to get a shot off especially in late game situations.
I realize the Bucks made mistakes down the stretch that cost them the game (like not calling a TO towards the end of regulation), but I don't see one comment calling out the crap refs. The BS shot-clock violation because whoever's running the clock didn't know how to reset it, also nullifying putting Zed to the foul line. They even reviewed that, how the hell did Rutgers get the ball? Or McNeil's total BS 5th foul. So blocking out a shooter after he lands from his 3-pt attempt gives the shooter 3 shots? Seriously?
And yes, Holtmann shit the bed too. Should've called a TO to win it in regulation instead of letting Suing chuck up another 3 pt miss.
muck fichigan
So genius what do you do about bad refs, WTF does calling them out do? Not a dam thing! Another clueless fan trying to look like he knows a thing about a sport! In abundance on here!
The team played really hard today, this would have been a tough game to win if they were on a10 game winning streak.
Traditionally, most of Holtman's teams wait till the first or second week of February to completely crater the season with a large string of L's. They started early this year.
O-H
Every January. The annual tradition of mid season catering continues. I'm officially off the "defend Holtmann" bandwagon.
AKA the Horseshoe, the Shoe, and the House That Harley Built
Worst coach in program history
I was looking back in the coaching history , would have to go back to Floyd Stahl 1950-58 to find a worse coach than Holtmann …and yes at this point Eldon Miller was a better coach than fucking Holtmann’s worthless ass
NWObuckeye
It depends on how you define "worst coach." Is "worst coach" defined as a slightly above record with no conference titles, Big Ten championships, lack of NCAA Tournament success like Holtmann or a coach who can at least win a conference title, some NCAA Tournament success and has had a very dismal seasons like Randy Ayers.
BuckeyeYankee
I’ve been a Holtmann defender for a while, but I can’t anymore. May as well let him finish the season, unless it crashes and burns, but after that it’s time to move on to someone else.
"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed, is more important than any other one thing." - Abraham Lincoln
Even my 22 year old nephew, who supported Holtmann two years ago and last year, has given up on the legitimate talks that this team is a year away. Now he texts me with the sarcasm that Holtmann will finally have alll of his guys next year lol. Next year isn’t arriving as long as this guy is coaching here
When telling the truth becomes a revolutionary concept, it’s wise to join the revolution
Holtmann could have won this game with 18 seconds left to spare with one timeout left at the end of regulation to call one last final play. He didn't use the timeout and the team choked in the end. Why do you have Sueing take three shots when he is seventh on the team shooting percentage at 27.9%. Key has a higher 3 point percentage at 30% which isn't great either.
New word for today Holtmann "Tip Drill" They don't know how to do in games
BuckeyeYankee
I dont follow college basketball as closely as I used to...but, this seems fairly consistent with Buckeyes and Holtman.....lose close games and/or lose 2nd half leads primarily in the back half of the season. Wish the Buckeyes well. Keep fighting.
CBus love
Hate to disappoint everyone but unless this team ends up at or near the bottom of B1G standings AND there is a mass exodus to the transfer portal of current players Holt will be here next year. Just saying Gene is not letting him go after one bad year.
These things can still realistically happen, and the odds probably aren’t that long
When telling the truth becomes a revolutionary concept, it’s wise to join the revolution
I am always hoping the Buckeyes can win every game but now I really want this shitshow to extend as long as possible and force Gene Smith's hand to pull the plug. Yes, there will be transfers and loss of commits and the program may really suck badly for a year or two but it is like remodeling an old house and tearing out the rot. Put in new product and start over. I do not have any names as possible replacements but the job at Ohio St. has got to be very attractive and do not settle for the 10th choice like Smith did with Holtmann. The right amount of $$$$$$$$$$$$$ will get you a very good choice.
Holtmann is clearly on Michigan’s pay roll at this point
When telling the truth becomes a revolutionary concept, it’s wise to join the revolution
The bottom line is the bottom line. Let's admit (!!) the man had a very good rookie season. KUDOS on that. OK, that's behind us. Now, let's also state we are in YEAR 6 and NOT A REASONABLE SNIFF of Big10 Championship OR NCAA Sweet 16 (yeah, forget final 4's). I'm not saying we are a hoops blue blood. I am saying we've got EVERYTHING needed (facilities, money, etc.) to have a MUCH higher bar of achievement. I'm like almost everybody else here, no real experience in what I'm typing, just a long time fan, but the Minnesota game where he was mic'd up told me alot. In the second half, it was all about procedural strategy (call a time out here, call a timeout there, wait to throw the ball in, the laundry list was long and boring and had zero to do with matchup coaching and adjustments, his players listening about half the time). He seems like a great guy, very nice, very pleasant, probably a great person outside the court. Give him his buy-out, let's move on. It's time.
O-H
Just for more perspective.
- year 2 was rough due to recruiting in Thads last 2 years ('15 class was gone from the program before Holt got here and '16 was probably Thads weakest class).
- Year 3 wasn't a bad year, reached #2 in the nation early on, then Carton went AWOL and injuries pilled up. We still ended up in the top 20 and woulda been a 4/5 seed had the tourney occurred.
- Year 4, reached top 4 in the nation and were ranked 4th through mid February then Young got hurt and Washington chucked up bricks in the NCAA tourney game.
- Year 5 was hit by injuries again. Sueing and Towns out for the year, Young, Meechie and Brown missed time the second half of the season. Finished 4th in the conference, won a tourney game, so hard to say it was a bad year.
- This year was always going to be a rebuilding year with the number of departures and only 2 guys who played the previous year returning. Incoming class is good and flashed early. Transfers were solid pick ups for depth/experience, but no "game changers". Going through a rough patch with a couple of poor effort games (MD, MN) and a couple of tough luck games with Key getting hurt against Purdue and some really crappy reffing at RU (watched it at least a dozen times and still don't know what that call was on McNeil that gave them three foul shots).
I get it, lots of folks think its a failure of a season if you don't win the conference or make the FF. Those folks will never be happy and are the same types that were complaining when Thad fell short in the NCAA tourney and would have been calling for coaches like K, Wright, etc to be fired after their first three seasons. I do think Holtmann needs to show that he can elevate the program in the next few years. He's elevated recruiting and will get a couple of years to see if that recruiting leads to better results.