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Chris Holtmann credits upperclassmen for getting Ohio State into Big Dance
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Chris Holtmann was sweating it out for a few days. Though the Ohio State head coach believed his team had done enough to earn a spot in the 68-team field, he wasn’t quite sure the Buckeyes would hear them name called on Selection Sunday.
But the Buckeyes did see their name pop up on the CBS screen on Sunday evening. There was relief and excitement in the room knowing that Ohio State would have a chance to compete for a national title.
For Holtmann, it’s an experience Ohio State wouldn’t be having if it wasn’t for the upperclassmen.
“To go here is a real credit to our players and, I think in so many ways, a real credit to C.J. [Jackson], Keyshawn [Woods], Joey Lane, Andre Wesson,” Holtmann said, according to Colin Hass-Hill of Eleven Warriors. “Those upperclassmen who have kind of steered the ship and allowed us to be here.”
Ohio State entered the B1G Tournament on the bubble. A second round win over Indiana in Chicago seemed to be enough to get the Buckeyes into the tournament, even with a loss to Michigan State the following day.
They finished the year 19-14 and had wins over Cincinnati, Minnesota, Iowa and Creighton. The win over Indiana, along with the rest of the body of work, was enough to get the Buckeyes into the 68-team field. Now, the focus shifts to making a postseason push.
Ohio State will take on sixth-seeded Iowa State in Tulsa to open the NCAA Tournament.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB