Chris Holtmann provides update on status of Scotty Middleton

Freshman forward Scotty Middleton was suspended from the Ohio State basketball team for a violation of team rules, it was announced on Saturday.

After defeating Penn State 79-67 at home, head coach Chris Holtmann provided an update on Middleton. He did not offer a timeline on his return.

“Obviously, he’s still a part of this team. He is a great kid. Really good kid,” Holtmann said postgame. “I think you guys know by now, I got my start coaching 12 or 15 years ago and coaching in 2024, we’re always going to hold players accountable.

“He’s a really good kid, love him, and obviously a big part of this team. I know it’s a different era in college sports, but our best players have always wanted to be coached and wanted to be held accountable. I love him as a kid and am looking forward to his return.”

The 6-foot-7 Miami native has averaged 4.7 points and 1.8 rebounds coming off the bench as a true freshman this season. He had seen action in 16 of the Buckeyes 17 games this season prior to his suspension. Middleton’s best performance of the season came in his collegiate debut, where he scored 13 points and hauled in eight rebounds in the season-opener against Oakland.

With Middleton providing strong minutes off the bench for Ohio State, the Buckeyes had lost three consecutive contests heading into Saturday’s matchup after starting the season 12-2.

Middleton provided Ohio State key minutes during the Buckeyes’ first two losses during the losing streak against Indiana and a ranked Wisconsin, respectively. He averaged 19 minutes during those two contests and went 4-of-4 on his field goal attempts to score nine points in a 71-65 loss to the Hoosiers. He was less effective against the Badgers with five points but recorded two blocks during the contest.

His last game, which came last Monday against Michigan, saw him play nine minutes for Holtmann’s squad, tied for the lowest amount of time he had played in a game all season. He was 0-3 from the field and finished the game with one point and one rebound. Less than a week later, Middleton’s suspension was announced.

While it remains uncertain when Middleton will return to action for Holtmann’s Buckeyes, it is clear that, even as a true freshman, he is able to provide big minutes for Ohio State when his number is called.