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Ohio State Basketball: It’s officially time to part ways with Chris Holtmann

By Frank Teriaca

Feb 2, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Chris Holtmann yells at the referees after being ejected from the game during the first half of the NCAA men’s basketball game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus DispatchBasketball Ceb Mbk Wisconsin Wisconsin At Ohio State
Feb 2, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Chris Holtmann yells at the referees after being ejected from the game during the first half of the NCAA men’s basketball game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus DispatchBasketball Ceb Mbk Wisconsin Wisconsin At Ohio State /
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The Ohio State basketball team suffered another beat down last night at the hands of Iowa. It’s officially time for Ohio State to part with Chris Holtmann.

The Ohio State basketball team lost to Iowa last night 92-75 for its 12th loss in its last 13 games. This is a complete and utter embarrassment of a season for the program and it is officially time to let Chris Holtmann go.

Ohio State currently sits at 3-12 in the Big Ten and probably won’t win another game this season with games against Purdue, Penn State, Illinois, Maryland, and Michigan State left. It is safe to say that the Buckeyes have regressed in the five seasons with Holtmann at the helm of the program.

An NCAA tournament appearance should be the bare minimum for a program with as many resources as Ohio State. They should legitimately have a chance at the Sweet 16 each and every season. That just isn’t the case anymore. The team has lost all faith and it’s showing. That probably should be the sign that changes are needed.

I know that AD Gene Smith gave Holtmann a vote of confidence a few weeks back but that was before this latest embarrassing string of losses. And some will point to the fact that Ohio State just gave Holtmann a new contract extension last offseason. But I would say that Ohio State has plenty of money in the bank to pay off Holtmann and hire someone new.

The program is on life support right now. They do have the sixth-ranked recruiting class for 2023 but I have no confidence that Holtman and his staff would develop them correctly. Also, there isn’t a game-changing talent in the class. Four very good players, but there’s no Malaki Branham walking through that door next year.

Next. 3 toughest games on 2023 schedule. dark

The time is now to let Holtman go. Show the fans that you have left, and judging by the empty seats in the Schott it’s not many, that losing like this isn’t acceptable in Columbus. Let Jake Diebler coach the remainder of the schedule to see if he can provide a spark. But for next season, Gene Smith needs to find someone to turn this program around and quickly.

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