WATCH: Chris Holtmann ejected over offensive foul call vs. Wisconsin
Thursday’s Ohio State–Wisconsin game is a crucial one for both teams, needing to keep pace in the Big Ten. Tensions were always going to be high but with the Buckeyes playing at home, there was an extra sense of desperation. Head coach Chris Holtmann unfortunately has let emotions get the best of him just before the halftime break.
Ohio State forward Justice Sueing was in the post, attempting to back down a Wisconsin defender. After a slight lower of the shoulder and some contract, Sueing was called for a charge and assessed an offensive foul.
Holtmann was not too happy with the call and began to go ballistic on the sideline. The officials did not take too long to eject the Buckeyes’ head coach, giving him an early shower.
You can watch the full moment unfold here.
Associate head coach Jake Diebler will take over for the final 20 and a half minutes. In a near must-win for Ohio State, a huge second half is going to be ahead of a team down double digits and without their head coach.
Chris Holtmann ejected in critical matchup against Wisconsin
Ohio State is on a skid at the moment, losing six out of seven games in Big Ten play. While conference play can be a grind at times, some of the losses Holtmann has overseen are not ones the Buckeyes should be losing.
This weekend is critical, with Wisconsin being played at the moment and then Michigan on Sunday. Two hypothetical wins would help Ohio State, which is currently on the bubble. In Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology update, they are in the ‘Last Four Out’ category.
A lot of work is ahead of Ohio State as the calendar turns to the month of February. Nearly do-or-die time, Holtmann’s ejection could prove costly.