Ad Disclosure
Here’s what Chris Holtmann said following Ohio State’s upset loss to Northwestern
Published:
The Northwestern men’s basketball team is off to their best start in B1G play in 52 years, and their third-straight win came Saturday at the hands of No. 23 Ohio State.
The Buckeyes offense collapsed down the stretch, adding just six points over the final seven minutes of play, while the Wildcats put up 14 to pull out the 71-70 victory.
A clutch, Boo Buie stepback trey put the Wildcats up 71-68 with 1:03 left. OSU cut the Northwestern lead to one after a pair of Kyle Young free throws and came up with a defensive stop. But OSU’s Duane Washington Jr. failed to convert on a final play, and Northwestern came away with the rebound and the win.
After the game, Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann gave Northwestern much of the credit for the win.
“Give Northwestern credit for pulling it out,” Holtmann said. “They made some shots there at the end. You have to give their guards credit for making those shots.”
Holtmann added more reactions and gave some in the post-game presser.
Chris Holtmann on some of Ohio State's late offensive issues: "We didn't move it enough on enough possessions."
On the final play that led to Duane Washington's missed layup: "Guys executed it well. We just didn't make the shot."
— Colin Hass-Hill (@chasshill) December 26, 2020
Head coach Chris Holtmann started his availability by giving Northwestern credit for their play down the stretch.
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) December 26, 2020
Holtmann said Ohio State wasn't trying to eat up clock on the offensive end down the stretch, but that they just weren't moving the ball enough.
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) December 26, 2020
"I thought their physicality bothered us too much when we had the ball," Holtmann said on Ohio State's ball security struggles in the first half.
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) December 26, 2020
Holtmann said Justice Sueing is still "learning and growing" in terms of adjusting to the Big Ten — adding that he loves his approach to the game.
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) December 26, 2020
Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.