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Chris Holtmann discusses strong performance by Ohio State in upset of Illinois
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Ohio State nearly let a 15-point lead slip away Saturday, but the Buckeyes were able to hold on for an upset of No. 14 Illinois.
After building the double-digit lead at halftime, the Illini closed the gap with a strong second half. There was even a bit of controversy in the ending, but the Buckeyes held on and secured the 87-81 win.
The win gives Ohio State three straight victories since losing on the road at Minnesota, including wins against Rutgers and Northwestern. Leading the way was a game-high 26 points by sophomore EJ Liddell.
Ohio State improved to 11-3 overall and 5-3 in the B1G with the win, and with Michigan losing for the first time Saturday, the conference race is officially wide open once again. The Buckeyes are just 1.5 games behind the first-place Wolverines at 6-1 and are just half a game behind Iowa for second place in the conference at 5-1.
Here’s what head coach Chris Holtmann had to say about the latest win:
🗣🏀@ChrisHoltmann on the Buckeyes holding off Illinois in the second half on the road #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/7moXlGGM6w
— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) January 16, 2021
Chris Holtmann on CJ Walker: "He can put these wins on his resumé when he gets into coaching. He's 2-0 as an assistant coach so far."
— Colin Hass-Hill (@chasshill) January 16, 2021
After saying Wednesday’s win against Northwestern was the proudest he was of his Ohio State team, Chris Holtmann said he is proud of the #Buckeyes “in different ways” after today’s win against Illinois on the road.
— Patrick Murphy (@_Pat_Murphy) January 16, 2021
Chris Holtmann said Zed Key gave the Buckeyes a “physical presence.”
“I think he has a chance to be a really good player.”
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) January 16, 2021
Chris Holtmann said one of the strengths of the team is there depth as long as the players embrace their roles. He said so far, the players have done that.
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) January 16, 2021
Chris Holtmann said the challenge is to continue to look to get better every day. He said if you lose sight of that in the Big Ten, you get beat.
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) January 16, 2021
Chris Holtmann said the strategy was to make Kofi Cockburn “score in crowds.”
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) January 16, 2021
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.