Ohio State basketball: Imperfect but with strong resolve, are the Buckeyes ready for Purdue?
Updated Feb 5, 6:28 AM; Posted Feb 5, 6:25 AM
Ohio State basketball: Chris Holtmann after a win over Illinois
3shares
By Bill Landis, cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Down 15 points in the first half against a team tied for the fewest wins in the Big Ten, there were two thoughts on the Ohio State bench.
"I'm not the most confident guy at that point," said Buckeyes coach Chris Holtmann, half-jokingly but highlighting the fact that coaches never feel comfortable.
"There was a lot of game left. We weren't worried and knew we were gonna come back," said junior forward Keita Bates-Diop, highlighting the best quality about an Ohio State team that picked up its 20th win in the 25th game of the season on Sunday, 75-67 over the Fighting Illini.
There were no surprises in that win. The Buckeyes were in a hole in the first half, and like they've done before, they climbed out. They teetered on the brink of losing in the final 10 minutes, then locked in again defensively, made smart plays, hit free throws and moved to 11-1 in Big Ten play.
Ohio State turned the ball over a lot against one of the best turnover-generating teams in the country. It was down a man, a scorer more specifically, with Kam Williams serving a suspension. The lack of depth was on display a little bit. The flaws we already knew existed with this team popped up again, and yet it found a way to beat an Illinois team that's better than its 12-12 (2-9) record indicates.
The win was imperfect, just like this team. How it happened is the reason why the Buckeyes have a shot in their next game against No. 3 Purdue (23-2, 12-0) -- on the road Wednesday night with first place in the Big Ten on the line.
Ohio State's players are at the point where they never feel like they're out of a game. That makes any team dangerous.
"We do have a pretty poised, confident group," Holtmann said. "That comes from going through a lot of stuff together, and winning games when you've been down. We've done that a lot this year when we've been down at some point, and come back and won. That's where that confidence comes from."
That resolve will be put to the test on the road against the most complete team the Buckeyes will play in the regular season. Purdue is No. 3 in the Associated Press poll, No. 3 in the KenPom efficiency ratings and hasn't lost since Nov. 23 while putting together a 19-game winning streak.
Holtmann said the Boilermakers are a legitimate Final Four contender. They are.
"They have very few weaknesses that you can identify," he said.
That will be the task of Ohio State's coaching staff over the next three days, figuring our where Purdue is vulnerable, if anywhere. For what it's worth, the games have been a little tighter lately with its last four wins coming by an average of five points. Purdue got a scare in a 78-76 win at Rutgers on Saturday......
http://www.cleveland.com/osu/2018/02/ohio_state_basketball_imperfec.html
Updated Feb 5, 6:28 AM; Posted Feb 5, 6:25 AM
Ohio State basketball: Chris Holtmann after a win over Illinois
3shares
By Bill Landis, cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Down 15 points in the first half against a team tied for the fewest wins in the Big Ten, there were two thoughts on the Ohio State bench.
"I'm not the most confident guy at that point," said Buckeyes coach Chris Holtmann, half-jokingly but highlighting the fact that coaches never feel comfortable.
"There was a lot of game left. We weren't worried and knew we were gonna come back," said junior forward Keita Bates-Diop, highlighting the best quality about an Ohio State team that picked up its 20th win in the 25th game of the season on Sunday, 75-67 over the Fighting Illini.
There were no surprises in that win. The Buckeyes were in a hole in the first half, and like they've done before, they climbed out. They teetered on the brink of losing in the final 10 minutes, then locked in again defensively, made smart plays, hit free throws and moved to 11-1 in Big Ten play.
Ohio State turned the ball over a lot against one of the best turnover-generating teams in the country. It was down a man, a scorer more specifically, with Kam Williams serving a suspension. The lack of depth was on display a little bit. The flaws we already knew existed with this team popped up again, and yet it found a way to beat an Illinois team that's better than its 12-12 (2-9) record indicates.
The win was imperfect, just like this team. How it happened is the reason why the Buckeyes have a shot in their next game against No. 3 Purdue (23-2, 12-0) -- on the road Wednesday night with first place in the Big Ten on the line.
Ohio State's players are at the point where they never feel like they're out of a game. That makes any team dangerous.
"We do have a pretty poised, confident group," Holtmann said. "That comes from going through a lot of stuff together, and winning games when you've been down. We've done that a lot this year when we've been down at some point, and come back and won. That's where that confidence comes from."
That resolve will be put to the test on the road against the most complete team the Buckeyes will play in the regular season. Purdue is No. 3 in the Associated Press poll, No. 3 in the KenPom efficiency ratings and hasn't lost since Nov. 23 while putting together a 19-game winning streak.
Holtmann said the Boilermakers are a legitimate Final Four contender. They are.
"They have very few weaknesses that you can identify," he said.
That will be the task of Ohio State's coaching staff over the next three days, figuring our where Purdue is vulnerable, if anywhere. For what it's worth, the games have been a little tighter lately with its last four wins coming by an average of five points. Purdue got a scare in a 78-76 win at Rutgers on Saturday......
http://www.cleveland.com/osu/2018/02/ohio_state_basketball_imperfec.html
