Ohio State basketball: Holtmann has no excuse for poor NCAA showing

The Ohio State basketball team has the talent to be a true national title contender. Chris Holtmann has no excuse to lead his team to at least the Elite Eight.

Chris Holtmann has done a really good job leading the Ohio State basketball team these last four seasons. He has amassed good recruiting classes and some NCAA Tournament berths. The one thing that has eluded him is getting out of the second round of the NCAA’s.

That better happen this year. Holtmann’s team is currently ranked fourth in the country and is one of the best teams in the country. They have the most Quad 1 wins out of anyone and have beaten some truly elite teams. The Buckeyes have all the talent in the world.

Duane Washington is someone who can create his own shot off the dribble and can get hot from anywhere. Zed Key and Kyle Young are low post beasts. E.J. Liddell is the best overall player Ohio State has and is an inside and outside threat. Justin Ahrens is a true sharpshooter from the outside.

All of that talent should equal an Elite Eight berth at the minimum. Holtmann hasn’t been to the Sweet 16 yet, but he should get even further with this squad. He really doesn’t have any excuse to not get that far. His squad is too talented to not.

If the Buckeyes don’t get that far, it might be time to start thinking about the long-term future of this program. Holtmann is a great coach, and I’m not insinuating that they should consider firing him. But if he doesn’t have more tournament success this year, it’s starting to feel like a Rick Barnes at Texas situation. No one wants that.

We still have three more games before the Big Ten Tournament starts up and still a few weeks before March Madness officially begins. Holtmann should have his team ready for both.