Chris Holtmann details issue Ohio State defense is facing

The Ohio State Buckeyes are coming off three straight losses. In each of those games, head coach Chris Holtmann has seen his team give up at least 80 points.

Following the Illinois loss, Holtmann has detailed the main issue that Ohio State is facing on defense.

“We better. If we don’t get better in that area quickly, we’re obviously playing a terrific offensive team in Iowa,” Chris Holtmann said. “So, we have to we have to get way better on that end right now. We have to really be way more committed than what we are. Whether it was zone or man, there really wasn’t an answer right now.”

Ohio State is currently 107th in the country in scoring defense, giving up 69.1 points per game. However, in Big Ten play the Buckeyes are giving up 76.4 points per game.

“I don’t think there were lapses [against Illinois]. I think they’re a good offensive team,” Holtmann said. “At times, Felix [Okpara] was playing in a little bit of a unique situation where he’s guarding five out. I think they got us on the glass a couple of times, but I don’t think it was all due to defensive lapses. We’re playing a good team.”

On Friday, Chris Holtmann and Ohio State will travel to Iowa for a road game against the Hawkeyes. There, the Buckeyes are going to try to bounce back and improve on the defensive side of the ball. To this point of the season, Iowa is ranked 16th in scoring offense, averaging 84.4 points per game.

Chris Holtmann on the need for Ohio State to block out noise

It’s been a tough stretch for the Ohio State Buckeyes and Chris Holtmann feels that it’s important for his team to block out the noise now.

“I think it’s easier for older people who have been in it. You just understand, to a certain degree, how unimportant that kind of dialogue and conversation is towards really anything. If that was something that was an issue with our staff or with me? I’d question if they have the makeup to be at a place like Ohio State,” Holtmann said.

“People are going to talk. It’s what some of you guys get paid to do for a living so, of course, it’s part of it. It’s what you get paid to do. Other people are going to do it for a variety of reasons. I think it’s more a challenge to your players.”