Ohio State's Chris Holtmann, Felix Okpara to miss game vs. New Orleans with illness
COLUMBUS — Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann and center Felix Okpara will both miss Thursday night’s game against New Orleans with illness, the program announced.
Associate head coach Jake Diebler will act as head coach for the Buckeyes (9-2, 1-1 Big Ten) in the non-conference bout against the Southland conference’s Privateers (5-6).
Diebler filled in for Holtmann back on Jan. 9, 2022, when Holtmann was out with COVID-19. Ohio State beat Northwestern in Holtmann’s absence, 95-87. Diebler also, notably, stepped into the head coaching role when Holtmann was ejected for arguing a foul call late in the first half during a Feb. 2 home game versus Wisconsin last season. The Buckeyes made things interesting despite a 16-point halftime deficit but fell, 65-60.
Zed Key is expected to replace Okpara, who started the first 11 games of the season at center and is averaging 6.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game as the Buckeyes’ primary rim protector.
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Although the fourth-year Key is coming off the bench, he’s practically splitting minutes with Okpara. After starting a combined 46 games the last two seasons, a slimmed-down Key is averaging 19.6 minutes per game in a new role this season. He’s averaging 9.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while shooting 58.7% from the field.
New Orleans is 1-6 against Division I opponents this season. Ohio State, meanwhile, is coming off a critical bounce-back win over UCLA in the CBS Sports Classic last weekend.
Ohio State vs. New Orleans: Game time, details
- Time: 6 p.m. E.T.
- Watch: B1G+
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 21
- Location: Value City Arena, Columbus, Ohio
- Line: Ohio State is a 23.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel.
- Over/under: 155.5 points
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