Distressing losses happen in college basketball. It's the nature of an inherently unpredictable sport.
Especially in the early months of November and December, what matters is how a team responds. That's exactly what Ohio State will try to do against UCLA on Saturday after losing an 18-point second-half lead to fall at Penn State five days ago.
Chris Holtmann met with the media on Thursday to discuss how the team plans to do exactly that. He also updated the health status of Roddy Gayle Jr., Scotty Middleton and Taison Chatman, who are all dealing with injuries.
- As far as injuries, Chris Holtmann said that Gayle and Middleton are "making progress" and are "day-to-day," though he's encouraged for Saturday.
- Chatman, who missed time earlier in the season with a knee injury, is questionable for Saturday with a different injury.
- On UCLA: "Big, physical. They've got a terrific front line, great size. ... They rebound it well. Probably as as good of a defensive team as we'll play all year, certainly the best defensive team we'll have played up until this point."
- Defensive rebounding is an issue that persists for Ohio State, Holtmann said, and he was particularly disappointed with the Buckeyes' effort in that area in the second half against Penn State. "We just have to keep working on it. ... We've had pockets where we've been good with it, but consistently that's been an issue. So we've just got to get better with it."
- Holtmann is thankful to get a week between games for his team after a long November and December string of contests. "It was a lot of games. A lot of games. ... That stretch was a long stretch of (being) on almost every day for 17 days."
- On the CBS Sports Classic: "A lot of great stuff. You're talking about blueblood basketball programs ... there's great value in us as a program aligning ourselves with that. ... It's always good teams, it's always good competition."
- Bruce Thornton grew up 40 minutes from Atlanta, where Ohio State will face UCLA on Saturday. "That's a really cool thing for him and his family."
- While the Nittany Lions shot the ball well against the Buckeyes, Holtmann still wants to see better second-half effort from his team. "We can certainly be on-point with our effort, our consistency in those moments."
- On why Penn State's zone defense gave Ohio State issues: "They were really matching up with our guys, so it was a little bit different than some of the zones we've seen. ... We have to get more movement, we have to attack it with more urgency."
- Despite the loss to Penn State, Holtmann feels Ohio State has had a strong start to the season and is eager to see how his group responds. "Guys play college basketball. It's a long season, there's going to be great wins. ... We had a great film session, our guys are moving forward. ... I love our approach."
- On UCLA freshman guard Sebastian Mack: "Really good player. Really talented. ... It's going to be a great matchup for our guys."
- Penn State took advantage of some isolation matchups against Ohio State. While the main answer is staying strong defensively, Holtmann said the team is also evaluating ways to limit bad matchups. "We've looked at some things to alleviate those types of situations."
- On where the Buckeyes' defense is at the moment: "We need to be better defensively, in particular with the lead. ... Teams are going to make runs in college basketball but we need to be better on that end in the second half when we have leads."
- On Zed Key having the ability to settle the offense with his post play: "He's got to finish better, but he's done a good job with angles and with opportunities there. Our offense is really centered around what our best shot is."
- On Thornton saying that the team is "player-led:" "That's what you hope as a coach ... and I hope that continues to be the case. ... They're the ones doing it and that shows great ownership on his part for one, but also music to my ears."
