Ohio State basketball loses in embarrassing fashion

The Ohio State basketball team lost to 15-seed Oral Roberts in overtime. It’s an embarrassing loss to what was once a promising season.

This game shouldn’t have been even close. Ohio State should have run away with it. They were playing the 278th ranked defense in the country, and yet they barely eclipsed 70 points. It was a disaster from the very start, and now the Ohio State basketball team is going home.

Chris Holtmann yet again failed to make adjustments in the second half of the game. They were down three at the half, had a size advantage, and yet they refused to drive the ball to the rim. They took too many threes. It was a failed gameplan from the start.

It’s time a discussion is had about Holtmann’s coaching. He is now 2-3 in the NCAA Tournament and has never made it out of the second round. He just lost to a 15 seed after clearly having the more talented team. In the last 9 games of the season, Ohio State blew leads late in the game.

This is the most disappointed I’ve ever been after an Ohio State basketball game. The Buckeyes blew it at the free-throw line, shooting just 9/18 from the line. That matters when you lose 75-72. Make one of those free-throws early on and this game doesn’t even go to overtime.

Duane Washington hit his first four shots and then finished 3 of his last 16. He was abysmal all game long and it cost them. Sure it hurt not to have Kyle Young. Even so, this is a game they should have won by double-digits, and it’s embarrassing that they didn’t.

Ohio State needs more players that can create their own shot. This team gave everyone false hope after a run to the Big Ten Championship Game, and it all came crashing down. It’s a terrible way for the season to end.

As far as Holtmann goes, another early NCAA exit next year, and he could find himself on the hot seat. At some point, results need to come in the postseason.