Could Ohio State basketball start losing recruits?
By Ryan Stano
![Feb 12, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Zed Key (23) is consoled by teammates after leaving the court during their NCAA Mens Division I Basketball Game at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brooke LaValley/Columbus DispatchCeb Mbk Msu 21 Feb 12, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Zed Key (23) is consoled by teammates after leaving the court during their NCAA Mens Division I Basketball Game at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brooke LaValley/Columbus DispatchCeb Mbk Msu 21](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/23c381574a042a34b8e141bb3aaf69e15ef685ba0a30f28ea701883bb4ac3948.jpg)
If you’ve followed the Ohio State basketball team at all this year, you know it’s been an absolute disaster of a season. They currently sit at 11-14 and have lost 11 of their last 12 games. It’s a slide that has been unparalleled in a could of decades.
It’s been so bad that I can’t pick the Buckeyes to win any more of their games. They play such uninspired basketball. They just had their worst offensive output in 25+ years on Sunday when they scored just 41 points against Michigan State, including a paltry 14 in the first half.
This Ohio State basketball team won’t be playing in any sort of postseason this year. That much is clear. What remains unclear is what happens after that. Right now, the Buckeyes have the 6th-best recruiting class in the country. Could that ranking suffer after this year?
The recruiting class is slated to bring in four recruits right now. They are also still a finalist for Bronny James. Would any of these recruits re-think their decision after seeing what’s happened? All of the committed recruits have signed their letters of intent but could still technically ask to be released.
I don’t think that would happen yet. It’s hard for a recruit to break their LOI after just signing it. Having this bad of a season does make it less likely that they can get Bronny. What it also does is increase the likelihood of having players transfer out of the program.
When there is this much losing in one season, players get unhappy. I wouldn’t be shocked to see three or four transfers out next season. Some of the freshmen very well could go elsewhere with these recruits coming in behind them. Chris Holtmann hasn’t handled playing time well on the roster.
Next. Buckeyes should not be okay with being mediocre. dark
The season is essentially over. The only thing I’m watching now is the body language of the team to see who might be staying and who might be leaving once this nightmare of a season is finally done.