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LOOK: Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann shares moment with Sister Jean

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•03/19/22•

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Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Heading into Ohio State’s matchup with Loyola Chicago, Chris Holtmann said he thinks “everybody’s well aware of Loyola and Sister Jean” and he couldn’t wait to meet her. He got his wish Friday, and tweeted a picture of the momentous occasion.

Holtmann caught up with Sister Jean, Loyola’s 102-year-old team chaplain, after his Buckeyes defeated her Ramblers 54-41 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. He sure looked excited — and understandably so. After all, who wouldn’t be excited to meet a self-proclaimed international sensation?

“102 yrs young!” Holtmann tweeted. “What a blessed life! On to the next one. Survive and advance.”

Prior to the tournament, Sister Jean talked about Ohio State and what she knew about the Buckeyes as she prepared her regular scouting report. She didn’t say much from the basketball standpoint, but she knows the athletic programs from another sport: men’s volleyball.

“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.

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“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.”

However, Loyola Chicago was no match for the Ohio State defense on Friday. The Ramblers shot just 26.8% from the field and went 4-for-18 on layups — not to mention 3-for-10 from the free throw line. On the other side, EJ Liddell and Malaki Branham combined for 30 points to help the Buckeyes come away with the win.

Now, Ohio State has to get ready to face Villanova on Sunday in the round of 32.