For the last 13 years, Ohio State fans grew accustomed to seeing a certain style of play.
Thad Matta-led teams hung their hats on defense, making life miserable for any opposition trying to get any type of offense started. Matta’s best teams had ball-pressuring guards who suffocated on the perimeter coupled with adequate wing and post defenders.
Don’t expect to see a complete overhaul with a Chris Holtmann-coached team.
“Aggressive, attacking. We want to be physical and tough and tough-minded,” Holtmann said Monday at his introductory news conference. “It’s obviously something we’re going to have to work on every day but tough and tough-minded is going to be really important.”
That certainly sounds like someone who coached at Butler.
Holtmann’s track record with the Bulldogs makes it difficult to argue. In the three seasons he was the head coach, Butler compiled an overall record of 70–31 with three NCAA tournament appearances. The Bulldogs were 25–9 last season and made the Sweet 16.
There will undoubtedly be some tweaks and changes to fit the personnel at Ohio State, but Holtmann’s overall coaching philosophy won’t change.
“We want to play a really aggressive and attacking style and we want our guys to play with freedom,” Holtmann said. “We want them to go out there, cut loose and play. I think that’s what people will see when they watch our team.”
Holtmann said he snuck over to Columbus last Friday to meet with his new team for the first time. He felt this was important, to introduce himself to his new players, but also so Ohio State’s current players could ask any questions they might have.
“I definitely just wanted to know what his goals were for the team, what kind of coach he was,” Buckeyes senior forward Jae’Sean Tate said. “Everything he said in the meeting, I was excited to be able to be coached by him this year. He seems like a very cool guy and he loves to let you go free on offense and he’s a great defensive coach too.”
Holtmann’s Butler-coached teams played a tough, physical brand of defense with a bit of a free-flowing, wide-open offense that spaced the floor and made it difficult to guard. It should be style relatively attractive to potential future players on the recruiting trail.
But first things first, and Holtmann must install his new style — both schematically and culturally — with the current Ohio State players. That’s a process that might take a bit of time.
“We’re going to spend a lot of time together collectively and then we’re going to spend some one-on-one time together,” Holtmann said. “That process will continue to happen and they were just kind of learning and wanting to understand who I am and what I’m about.”
“I sensed excitement and I think a readiness to get to work and I think they’re excited about what’s ahead. I hope they are and I just cannot wait to get working with them. I cannot wait.”
