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Chris Holtmann says Zed Key will only be shut down if injury is 'significant'

On3 imageby:Andrew Graham•02/12/23•

AndrewEdGraham

Michigan State v Ohio State
COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 12: Zed Key #23 of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Jaxon Kohler #0 of the Michigan State Spartans compete for a rebound during the second half of the game at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on February 12, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. Michigan State defeated Ohio State 62-41. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Following another loss in a disappointing stretch for Ohio State — the Buckeyes 11th loss in 12 games — head coach Chris Holtmann addressed the nagging health issues of big man Zed Key. Key has been dealing with a shoulder injury for some time now.

While Key has clearly been inhibited by the bum shoulder, he’s stayed in the lineup for the Buckeyes, who don’t have much depth behind Key. Holtmann said it’d take something even more significant for Key to be shut down for any period of time.

“I think the only way we’d shut it down is if he had another significant injury, or multiple significant injuries with it. I think right now, it’s at the point where it’s strong enough, as determined by our medical team, for him to continue playing. I think sometimes, when he extends it or when he gets hit, it’s painful for him. I give him a lot of credit for fighting through it. Clearly he’s not at his best. But, I think he’s fighting through that particular injury,” Holtmann said.

Holtmann admits Ohio State players are feeling pressure of struggles

The Ohio State men’s basketball team is going through one of their worst seasons since 2016-17. The Buckeyes currently sit at 11-12 overall and 3-9 in the Big Ten Conference. They’ll need nothing short of a miracle run in the Big Ten Tournament to make it to the 2023 NCAA Tournament. In his most recent press conference, Holtmann said his players are feeling the pressure of their struggles this season.

“Yeah. How could they not? Right. How could they not? It’s part of it. It’s part of being in the public eye. You know, it’s part of playing at a major University. You know, I think they do probably a good job to some degree blocking it out, but …. that’s a lot to ask. So, the answer is, throw yourself into your work and focus on the work,” Holtman said.

The Buckeyes have dropped six straight games, including a 62-41 beatdown they suffered on Sunday at the hands of the Michigan State Spartans. Ohio State’s Chris Holtmann has good advice for his team during the tough stretch, focus on the work, and not worry about the results.