Chris Holtmann calls on Zed Key, Justice Sueing to provide more for Ohio State

Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann called out a couple of his more experienced players, Zed Key and Justice Sueing, asking for them to provide more for the team.

Holtmann did so while speaking to the media following the Buckeyes’ loss to Illinois on Tuesday.

“We just need more from them,” Chris Holtmann said. “Like We need more, and it’s not just about points, we need more effort plays. We need more production from them. They’re too important to what we’re doing and we rely on them too much with how young we are.”

Key and Sueing combined for 44 minutes and 21 points against Illinois. However, as Holtmann emphasized, it’s about more than scoring. It’s about things like effort plays.

“We’ve got to get them performing at a higher level, Steve, so that’s on us as coaches and then they’ve got to bring more than what they’re bringing. I thought Zed had some good looks but it’s not just about his finishes around the basket. He’s got to bring more, he’s got to do more in terms of effort plays and so does Justice.”

Next up for the Buckeyes is a trip to Assembly Hall on Saturday to take on the Indiana Hoosiers.

Chris Holtmann praised Bruce Thornton

One player who Chris Holtmann is high on is freshman point guard Bruce Thornton, who he says could become one of the best players in the country.

“Bruce is great and I really believe he’s going to be one of the best point guards in the country here before his time’s done,” Holtmann said.

“I have no question about that in my mind, he’s going to be one of the best point guards in the country before his time here is done. But he’s just got to continue to work through some things and obviously get physically better.”