Holtmann challenged by thin roster
When Gene Smith was courting Chris Holtmann to become the next Ohio State men’s basketball coach, the athletic director didn’t pull punches about the state of the roster.
Now a little more than two weeks into the job, Holtmann has a better grasp of how thin the Buckeyes are entering the season and what he can — and can’t — do to try to fix things.
In a wide-ranging interview with reporters on Friday at Value City Arena, Holtmann stressed that his coaching staff will have to
“be really selective” in whom they add while accepting the fact that reinforcements for the 2017-18 season likely will come from walkons — particularly at the guard positions.
“We’ve discussed everything from graduate transfers to junior-college options at guard to transfers in general, but we certainly don’t want to compromise on them being what we consider are Ohio State guys,” Holtmann said. “We don’t want to compromise on their talent and ability because that just handicaps you in the future.”
Ohio State has 10 recruited scholarship players on its roster with this week’s addition of freshman Kyle Young, plus walk-on Joey Lane, who was put on scholarship last season. The only point guards are junior C.J. Jackson, who was a junior-college transfer last season, and freshman Braxton Beverly.
Holtmann said he has been impressed with both but said he obviously would like to add one player there. When asked about center, where sophomore Micah Potter and freshman Kaleb Wesson comprise the depth chart, Holtmann said he isn’t as worried about the depth in the frontcourt as he is with the backcourt.
Failing any guard additions, Jae’Sean Tate will be asked to help out at the point, Holtmann said. One name that is not in the mix is former player JaQuan Lyle, who quit the team for a second consecutive offseason and was subsequently arrested in mid-May.
“I have not spoken with him,” Holtmann said of Lyle. “I have not had that conversation. Gene and I have discussed the roster multiple times and different options, but at this point I don’t anticipate that.” Holtmann
Ryan Pedon, Mike Schrage, Terry Johnson
David Egelhoff *-suspended
Redshirt freshman Derek Funderburk was suspended June 15 for what was announced as a “failure to meet team expectations.” He remains around the program and was part of a team photo posted to social media this week. Holtmann said Funderburk still has work to do away from the court.
“As of today, (the suspension) continues,” Holtmann said. “I really, really want him to be successful. He’s talented, but he has some work to do in some areas outside of basketball. One of them is in the classroom. When we see progress in that area, significant progress, then we’ll reevaluate things. He’s an outstanding player. I think he’s really talented and those who know him know he’s got a great way about him and a great personality. I’m optimistic, but at this point, we’ll see.”
Holtmann said there are no other discipline issues.
After retaining all three of his assistant coaches from Butler, Holtmann said he is keeping David Egelhoff as director of basketball operations — at former coach Thad Matta’s urging — but not associate strength and conditioning coach Dave Richardson. He also will add one or two new positions, bringing in someone in a player development role and another as a special assistant to the coach or something similar.
“You really hit the ground running when you get that job at June and you’re looking at adding to your current roster and also catching up with the ’18 and ’19 classes,” Holtmann said.