Holtmann has had some bad luck in previous classes that created some gaps on the team. Branham being a one-and-done was probably unexpected.
Excited to see how these full, top rated classes pan out over the next few years. It feels like the program is at a pivotal point in becoming a top program with consistent tourney runs vs. being a middle of the road school that serves as early tournament fodder. If we can ride the momentum from draft picks and top recruiting classes into tournament runs, watch out.
NIL dealings will catapult Holtmann to elite status. The worst kept secret in college basketball is that there were two sets of players - those looking to get paid and those who are following the wholesome route. Holtmann was never going to recruit the players taking money under the table. I have heard him allude to this in the corporate speeches I have seen from him. With NIL, I think it opens up a ton more high caliber recruits. Holtmann will alway look for good kids and students but the NIL allowances at OSU are going to put us in the mix for a lot more NBA caliber players.
I've been critical of Holtmann the last 2 years, but these back-to-back recruiting classes gives me hope he's turning the corner with the program. I'm excited again to watch OSU basketball. I hope they continue an upward trend.
And perhaps saved Holtmann's job. Results last couple years have not what we or probably even he expected. Future looks bright if everyone stays and stays healthy, looking forward to future success in the near term.
I don’t think that he is full of hate for Coach Holtmann. I actually think that he is full of joy because you and others take the bait and respond to his comments. But what do I know.
When he does nothing but post negative comments, I stop assuming it’s sarcasm and start assuming he’s a sad little person sitting behind his keyboard with nothing better to do than be an asshole. Some of us genuinely just want to talk Buckeye basketball without the bullshit. But if he genuinely gets his kicks off of trying to ruin every basketball article, then I guess I truly feel sorry for the dude.
That class with Giddens, Grandstaff, Lyle, Mitchell, Harris, that was a mirage. AJ had a solid career with New Mexico State. Lyle has gone onto play Euro League. But there was just something off on the whole vibe those couple years. As much on the assistants Thad had at the time. On paper maybe it was a top 10 class, but in reality, who really knows? Not at all the same vibe with thess new guys now.
A starting line up of Thornton/ice at pg, mcneil at sg, holden at sf, sueing at pf and key at center with sensabaugh, gayle, brown okpara off the bench this team I believe is as good as any in the big ten this season. Hopefully get holden and key back one more year with all this influx of young talent the next few years looks very promising. I’m happy for holtmann too the guy has done everything the right way and has had some awful luck injury wise but still has elevated us significantly from the end of Thad’s tenure and there doesn’t appear to be a drop off anytime soon
Holtmann has done a good job with this program 4 out of the 5 years he's been here. I'm going to give him a pass for the Oral Roberts game because upsets happen and I'll give him a pass for finishing 2021 regular season 0-4 because at least those 4 losses were to really good teams. And in 2021 we got to experience what it's like to play for a B1G championship and we damn near won it...that was fun. You can't sugarcoat year 5, the roster was built terribly and the way the season ended was unacceptable. You cannot lose at home to a horrible Nebraska outfit and you cant get blown out at Maryland...especially when you're 1 game out of first place...and you can't blow a 13 point lead to a mediocre at best Penn State team. No shame in losing to Nova, but you shouldn't have been a damn 7 seed to begin with. I understand we didn't have Sueing all year, but that didn't seem to matter against Duke or at Illinois.
I've definitely come around a lot on Holtmann this offseason. I still have my issues with him...I think he's poor at handling criticism and I think he makes too many excuses, but the 2022 class / 2023 class / this years transfer portal additions / coaching staff hires 100% has this program pointed straight for the sky. It's been such a good offseason and stretch of recruiting that I'm sipping the Kool-Aid again...I hope that I don't end up choking on it.
I listened to Titus and Tate talk a few weeks back about the Maui Invitational. Theirs is a national podcast that talks alot of college hoops, only occassionally Ohio State, even with Titus having played under Matta. It was a reality check.
This is a VERY good class for Holtmann. I'll give him and his staff credit, but the jury is still out on whether Holtmann can take this program back to where it belongs.
The only thing that will make this sustainable will be success on the court. Cannot afford any more 1 or 2 and dones in the NCAA tournament nor finishing in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten. I really like Holtmann but results is what matters. Git er done!
I don't buy one goddam drop of gas in the state of Michigan!
I’m hopeful these 2 classes bring a big step for Buckeye hoops. Really solid talent - if they stay together could grow and develop even more success. These rankings are inflated a bit due to the number of recruits. 9 in these 2 yrs is a lot.
Holtmann's first 5 classes at osu (counting the partial class of Kyle Young and Musa Jallow in his 1st season): 28.5% (4 out of 14) were ranked in the Top 75
Last 2 classes (though 2023 is obviously subject to change): 77.7% are Top 75 recruits (7 out of 9)
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Holtmann has had some bad luck in previous classes that created some gaps on the team. Branham being a one-and-done was probably unexpected.
Excited to see how these full, top rated classes pan out over the next few years. It feels like the program is at a pivotal point in becoming a top program with consistent tourney runs vs. being a middle of the road school that serves as early tournament fodder. If we can ride the momentum from draft picks and top recruiting classes into tournament runs, watch out.
Since January, we all knew Branham was probably going to be a one and done.
Those who DV’d obviously didn’t watch us play the second half of last year
NIL dealings will catapult Holtmann to elite status. The worst kept secret in college basketball is that there were two sets of players - those looking to get paid and those who are following the wholesome route. Holtmann was never going to recruit the players taking money under the table. I have heard him allude to this in the corporate speeches I have seen from him. With NIL, I think it opens up a ton more high caliber recruits. Holtmann will alway look for good kids and students but the NIL allowances at OSU are going to put us in the mix for a lot more NBA caliber players.
Just by keeping the top talent in Ohio at home...the Buckeyes can compete on the national stage.
there was a dry spell of talent in ohio the past decade or so....
....but lately, the talent it blowing up and even the 2024 and 2025 will have some potential 5 stars
I've been critical of Holtmann the last 2 years, but these back-to-back recruiting classes gives me hope he's turning the corner with the program. I'm excited again to watch OSU basketball. I hope they continue an upward trend.
They hate us cuz they aint us!! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
And perhaps saved Holtmann's job. Results last couple years have not what we or probably even he expected. Future looks bright if everyone stays and stays healthy, looking forward to future success in the near term.
Muck Fichigan
can you imagine if osu hadnt extended holtmann or even fired him like some delusion "fans" wanted
we would be taking 10 steps backwards
What good is talent if the head coach can't coach?
I don't always finish my sentences but when I do
We get it Commodore, you are filled with hate for Chris Holtmann because he has personally wronged you in some way.
I don’t think that he is full of hate for Coach Holtmann. I actually think that he is full of joy because you and others take the bait and respond to his comments. But what do I know.
When he does nothing but post negative comments, I stop assuming it’s sarcasm and start assuming he’s a sad little person sitting behind his keyboard with nothing better to do than be an asshole. Some of us genuinely just want to talk Buckeye basketball without the bullshit. But if he genuinely gets his kicks off of trying to ruin every basketball article, then I guess I truly feel sorry for the dude.
Poor little Benny with his delicate and sensitive feelings. I recommend a good cry since Commodore has hurt you. LOL!
I don't always finish my sentences but when I do
I rest my case……..
That class with Giddens, Grandstaff, Lyle, Mitchell, Harris, that was a mirage. AJ had a solid career with New Mexico State. Lyle has gone onto play Euro League. But there was just something off on the whole vibe those couple years. As much on the assistants Thad had at the time. On paper maybe it was a top 10 class, but in reality, who really knows? Not at all the same vibe with thess new guys now.
A starting line up of Thornton/ice at pg, mcneil at sg, holden at sf, sueing at pf and key at center with sensabaugh, gayle, brown okpara off the bench this team I believe is as good as any in the big ten this season. Hopefully get holden and key back one more year with all this influx of young talent the next few years looks very promising. I’m happy for holtmann too the guy has done everything the right way and has had some awful luck injury wise but still has elevated us significantly from the end of Thad’s tenure and there doesn’t appear to be a drop off anytime soon
We need all the bodies we can get because we will be in foul trouble most every game more than likely
Holtmann, Diebler, co killing it on the recruiting trail. Time to move on to the class of 24. Can’t wait to see who they will get in that class.
Holtmann has done a good job with this program 4 out of the 5 years he's been here. I'm going to give him a pass for the Oral Roberts game because upsets happen and I'll give him a pass for finishing 2021 regular season 0-4 because at least those 4 losses were to really good teams. And in 2021 we got to experience what it's like to play for a B1G championship and we damn near won it...that was fun. You can't sugarcoat year 5, the roster was built terribly and the way the season ended was unacceptable. You cannot lose at home to a horrible Nebraska outfit and you cant get blown out at Maryland...especially when you're 1 game out of first place...and you can't blow a 13 point lead to a mediocre at best Penn State team. No shame in losing to Nova, but you shouldn't have been a damn 7 seed to begin with. I understand we didn't have Sueing all year, but that didn't seem to matter against Duke or at Illinois.
I've definitely come around a lot on Holtmann this offseason. I still have my issues with him...I think he's poor at handling criticism and I think he makes too many excuses, but the 2022 class / 2023 class / this years transfer portal additions / coaching staff hires 100% has this program pointed straight for the sky. It's been such a good offseason and stretch of recruiting that I'm sipping the Kool-Aid again...I hope that I don't end up choking on it.
"We didn't play with enough force tonight"
I listened to Titus and Tate talk a few weeks back about the Maui Invitational. Theirs is a national podcast that talks alot of college hoops, only occassionally Ohio State, even with Titus having played under Matta. It was a reality check.
What was the gist of the conversation? Do you know which episode? I'd be interested in hearing the reality check.
Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
Actually was just last week, August 2
I saw it on spotify I'll check it out. Thanks.
Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
Welcome
This is a VERY good class for Holtmann. I'll give him and his staff credit, but the jury is still out on whether Holtmann can take this program back to where it belongs.
BOATS and HOES.
The only thing that will make this sustainable will be success on the court. Cannot afford any more 1 or 2 and dones in the NCAA tournament nor finishing in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten. I really like Holtmann but results is what matters. Git er done!
I don't buy one goddam drop of gas in the state of Michigan!
Muck Fichigan
I’m hopeful these 2 classes bring a big step for Buckeye hoops. Really solid talent - if they stay together could grow and develop even more success. These rankings are inflated a bit due to the number of recruits. 9 in these 2 yrs is a lot.
Beginning of great things to come!!!
Holtmann's first 5 classes at osu (counting the partial class of Kyle Young and Musa Jallow in his 1st season): 28.5% (4 out of 14) were ranked in the Top 75
Last 2 classes (though 2023 is obviously subject to change): 77.7% are Top 75 recruits (7 out of 9)
I play, coach stays. He goes, I go.
The Holt Man, with the help of Jake Diebler, just killing it on the recruiting trail. You win with people.
TG Proud Buckeye alumnus.