Chris Holtmann addresses ownership, buy-in to defense from Ohio State roster

The classic saying in sports – especially in basketball – is that defense wins championships. While many college basketball teams put a majority of their focus on defense and use that to power their offensive game, there’s one specific club that is trying to do that during their NCAA Tournament run: The Ohio State Buckeyes.

Playing as a No. 7 seed in March Madness, Ohio State opened play with a 54-41 win over No. 10 Loyola Chicago in the first round – a victory that was fully powered by the Buckeyes’ defensive intensity. While Ohio State held Loyola Chicago to just 41 total points, the Ramblers managed to shoot only 26.8% from the field, 28.6% from three-point range and 30% from the free-throw line.

Following the Buckeyes’ win over Loyola Chicago, Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann met with the media for his postgame press conference and praised his team’s effort on the defensive end – saying that everyone has bought into what they’re trying to do and it’s paying off.

“I think it really comes down to ownership with them, and obviously as coaches we’re constantly seeking ways we can do a better job at putting our guys in position defensively,” Holtmann said. “But I think ultimately the effort piece comes down to ownership on their part. … And they were as bought in and as owned as they’ve been all year for sure on that end.

“It was the best defensive performance we’ve really had in a couple years.”

Fresh off its first-round win, Ohio State returns to action Sunday afternoon with a second-round matchup against No. 2 Villanova at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:40 p.m. ET on CBS with a Sweet 16 trip on the line.

Ohio State vs. Villanova preview

Villanova is 9-1 in its 10 games and is led by Collin Gillespie‘s 15.9 points per game on a 42.3 percent 3-point clip. The senior also averages three made treys a game, and the Wildcats’ success is predicated on his ability to score.

If Gillespie isn’t going, it’s Justin Moore‘s job to step up in his place. The junior guard is averaging 15.2 points and five rebounds per game this season but has seen that average cut down to 10.2 points per game in Villanova’s last 10.

For Ohio State, EJ Liddell‘s 19.5 points and eight rebounds per game are critical for the Buckeyes against the Wildcats. At 6-foot-7, Liddell isn’t the strongest presence in the post, but provides Ohio State with a versatility in terms of stretching the floor, as he can score at all three levels.

On3’s Barkley Truax contributed to this report.