Ohio State’s Chris Holtmann talks upcoming basketball season on ‘BTN Tailgate’

Ahead of the Ohio State and Indiana Homecoming football game today at 4 p.m. ET on FOX, the Big Ten Network’s “BTN Tailgate” was live on campus just outside of the RPAC. However, while the focus was clearly on football on this gameday, the OSU men’s basketball coach Chris Holtmann swung by the set to talk to BTN’s Michelle McMahon about the upcoming season.

Holtmann praised last year’s leaders Keita Bates-Diop, Jae’Sean Tate, Andrew Dakich, and Kam Williams, and admitted that they would need to find ways to fill those voids. However, the second-year head coach said that he is looking forward to seeing what C.J. Jackson, Andre Wesson, Kaleb Wesson, Keyshawn Woods, and others can do as they step into those shoes.

Holtmann also praised the fans, his players, and Thad Matta for contributing to the unexpected turn around that his team had last year. He also talked about how exciting that it has been to come from a school like Butler— a basketball dominated university— to a place like Ohio State that is passionate about all sports, but is very much a football school.

The Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team will open their season on Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. ET against the Cincinnati Bearcats in a game that will air on ESPN.