Ohio State Basketball: 2018 recruiting class now empty

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Butler Bulldogs head coach Chris Holtmann reacts in the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. North Carolina won 92-80. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Butler Bulldogs head coach Chris Holtmann reacts in the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. North Carolina won 92-80. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s now a clean slate for Ohio State basketball coach Chris Holtmann when it comes to recruiting.

Once there were three recruits in the 2018 Ohio State basketball recruiting class and now there is none. Darius Bazley and Justin Ahrens had already left the class and today Dane Goodwin announced he has decommitted and will be reopening his recruitment.

It’s a curious situation to say the least. Goodwin is a local product who has been committed to play for the Buckeyes for quite some time.

In an article by Tim Shoemaker of Eleven Warriors, it was reported that Goodwin committed to play for Ohio State on Dec. 1, 2014 when he was just a freshman. He held true to his commitment through two difficult seasons for the Buckeyes and Thad Matta being removed as head coach.

What transpired to make him change his mind? I’m not sure but here is what Mr. Shoemaker reported in his article:

"Former Butler coach Chris Holtmann was introduced as the Buckeyes’ replacement for Matta last week. Holtmann and Goodwin were scheduled to meet early last week. Following that meeting, Goodwin opted to reopen his recruitment."

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Is it such that after meeting with the new Buckeye head coach, the four star shooting guard doesn’t feel like he would fit into coach Holtmann’s system? Or did Goodwin just want to take a step back and think things through, leaving his options open?

Or does coach Holtmann just want to start with a clean slate when it comes to recruiting and bring his types of players into the fold? He reportedly has reaffirmed Ohio State’s offer to combo guard Duane Cohill who Holtmann was recruiting when he was at Butler. Possibly Cohill may be a better fit in the offense the new coach wants to run.

It’s hard to say just what went on in the meeting between coach Holtmann and Goodwin. Whatever the case the 2018 recruiting class is now empty.

It’s been a fast and furious first ten days of Chris Holtmann’s tenure as head coach of the Buckeyes. Offers to recruits, a player suspended, a Butler recruit transferring to Ohio State etc. One thing is for certain though, the Ohio State basketball program isn’t boring.

Next: Coach Chris Holtmann off to a fast start

I wonder what the next shoe to drop will be. Something tells me we won’t have to wait very long to find out.