Chris Holtmann provides injury updates on Kyle Young, Zed Key

As it gets ready for the NCAA Tournament, Ohio State is banged up. Thursday, Buckeyes coach Chris Holtmann provided injury updates on two key players ahead of their matchup with Loyola Chicago.

Holtmann told reporters Kyle Young and Zed Key would be game-time decisions for Friday’s March Madness opener. Young is recovering from a concussion and Key is dealing with an ankle injury.

“We’re getting healthier,” Holtmann said, via the Columbus Dispatch’s Adam Jardy. “We’ll know more about Kyle and Zed tomorrow, but they are getting healthier. The final decision will be made tomorrow.”

Holtmann’s comments come after he confirmed Justice Sueing would also miss the game.

Young and Key are two huge pieces for Ohio State. Young is third on the Ohio State roster with 8.2 points per game while Key is right behind him with 8.1 points per contest. They’re two of the Buckeyes’ leading shooters, making more than 50% of their shots from the floor this season.

The No. 7-seeded Buckeyes are gearing up to take on No. 10 seed Loyola Chicago in Pittsburgh in the first round on Friday. That game tips off at 12:15 p.m. ET on CBS.

Sister Jean offers thoughts on Ohio State before Loyola Chicago matchup

Loyola Chicago is back in the NCAA Tournament, meaning team chaplain and self-proclaimed international sensation Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt is back in the spotlight. Prior to the big dance, she offered her thoughts on the No. 10-seeded Ramblers’ first-round matchup with No. 7 seed Ohio State on Friday.

Sister Jean, 102, rose to fame in 2018 as Loyola Chicago rattled off a run to the Final Four as a No. 11 seed. As the Ramblers prepare for their third March Madness appearance in five years, she’s getting ready to scout the Buckeyes — just like she does for every game.

She said she’s not done with her scouting report yet, but added she knows the school well. Ohio State and Loyola Chicago play in the same men’s volleyball conference — the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association.

“I know the Buckeyes only from [men’s] volleyball because they play our [men’s] volleyball team and they’re always tough against our volleyball team,” Sister Jean told reporters in a pre-tournament Zoom on Wednesday. “So, that always translates in my head that buddies tell buddies stuff. They just might want to be out to get us.

“In fact, lots of people are always out to get us. I think it’s because we were the Cinderella that time. And it’s not a bad thing. They just want to win. Everybody wants to win. But for the basketball team, I know they did well. I know Ohio State did well. They’re in a higher conference than we are.”