Matt Painter predicts strong future for Ohio State

Despite a nice run in the Big Ten Tournament, it was not a fun season for the Ohio State Buckeyes and head coach Chris Holtmann. Ohio State lost as many as nine straight games at one point in the year and went on to finish 16-19 overall and 5-15 in the Big Ten. That being said, the Buckeyes still strung together three wins in the Big Ten Tournament before falling to No. 1 seed Purdue.

The Buckeyes looked like they were in a possible upset spot of the Boilermakers before a late first half run that led to a Purdue win. After the game, Purdue head coach Matt Painter was very complimentary of the Buckeyes and their future.

“This is Ohio State’s fourth game. This is our second game in as many days. I think it kind of showed there,” Painter said. “But you can kind of see the heart of Ohio State, and those guys really played well in this tournament. We were fortunate to play them after they’ve already played three games and we’ve only played one.

“I think you can see the future of Ohio State with (Felix) Okpara, (Roddy) Gayle, and Bruce Thornton. They’ve got a great class coming, and they’ve got a great coach. They lost a lot of close games this year, and some people got them. But I think you can see the future of Ohio State and how good they’re going to be.”

At first, things looked like they might go well for Ohio State. The Buckeyes were 9-3 entering league play but they then lost five of their first six Big Ten games. A win over Iowa stopped that skid but Ohio State then lost nine straight to really fall out of things.

Season likely over for Ohio State

Of course, the Buckeyes are not bound for the NCAA Tournament with their resume, but they have a chance at an NIT spot. While there is that small hope Ohio State could end up there, Holtmann made it rather clear injuries might hold his team back from playing any postseason basketball.

“I have thought about it,” Holtmann said of an NIT spot. “We have some injuries beyond kind of what’s public that make it difficult right now, to be quite honest with you, that we have to really get — we have to get some of our guys back. They’re not significant, but they need to be tended to, and they need some time off. So that might answer your question.”