Quick hitters from Chris Holtmann Nebraska preview press conference

COLUMBUS — Ohio State is hitting the road for a pivotal two-game road swing, which starts Tuesday night at Nebraska. The Buckeyes (13-5, 3-4 Big Ten) just snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over Penn State. Meanwhile, the Cornhuskers (14-5, 4-4) are coming off a thrilling win against Northwestern.

Head coach Chris Holtmann met with the media Monday to preview that matchup. Lettermen Row rounded up what he said.

What Holtmann said Monday…

+ Holtmann talked about the upcoming stretch the Buckeyes have against a handful of NCAA Tournament teams — Nebraska, Northwestern, Illinois and Iowa — and three of those four games will be played on the road, including the next two.

+ Holtmann was asked what makes Nebraska such a dangerous team in the Big Ten right now. Holtmann explained that a couple years ago head coach Fred Hoiberg made a roster building philosophy change. “They got really old,” Holtmann said, referencing the transfers the Huskers have pulled in with success. He pointed to the high level of play Nebraska is getting from Bradley transfer center Rienk Mast (13.3 points per game) and Charlotte transfer guard Brice Williams (12.5 points per game). They’ve always had an incredible environment at Pinnacle Bank Arena, regardless of their record, Holtmann mentioned.

+ Holtmann acknowledged that Nebraska — which is averaging a Big Ten-best 9.3 3-pointers per game — is a threat on the perimeter, and that Ohio State will have to be on its A-game defensively out there. Holtmann also referenced the Huskers’ pace. They are 43rd in the country in average possession length (16.0 seconds per possession), according to KenPom.

+ Holtmann said that teams hedging Buckeyes point guard Bruce Thornton has really “neutralized” Thornton getting to his spots for mid-range, pull-up jumpers. Teams are putting two on the ball, which is limiting Thornton’s ability to get downhill. He’s getting the ball out of his hands quicker, though, and that’s setting other guys up for offensive success, Holtmann said.

+ Holtmann on Thornton: “I love his ability right now to to find the open guy as well as to play both ends and to compete on both ends. And he’s just got to continue to lose himself in that. He’ll make some of the open ones that he’s missing, and I think his offense will come around. But, again, we need other guys to help him, too, with their play to where he’s not receiving quite the amount of attention he is.”

+ Holtmann said he wants his team to play better for longer stretches on the road. That’s going to be key this week. “Our focus is just playing as complete a game offensively and defensively,” Holtmann said.

+ Holtmann was asked if it takes time for him and his staff to determine how each individual bench player can maximize his contributions. “It does take a minute,” Holtmann said. “And I think you’re looking right now, as we move into the second half of the season who’s embracing that role, who’s playing their role to a high level on both ends, who’s helping us win possessions and you’re gonna give those guys opportunities.”

+ Holtmann was asked about Nebraska leading scorer Keisei Tominaga, who has knocked down a team-high 40 3-pointers this season, tied for the fourth most of any Big Ten player in 2023-24. Holtmann: “He’s incredibly fit. He’s got a really quick release, and he’s now been able to drive it and get to the free throw line a little bit because of the amount of pressure he puts on the defense behind the arc.”

+ Holtmann said the 16-0 start the Buckeyes had against Penn State will be hard to replicate, but good starts will be necessary on the road in this upcoming stretch.

+ Nebraska has four players who are averaging at least 11 points per game. The Huskers also have eight players with at least 10 long-range makes this season. Holtmann was asked about Nebraska’s balanced scoring attack. Holtmann: “Well that’s why they’re so hard to guard. Their five-out system is hard. They have five 3-point shooters on the floor at times. That puts you in a really difficult spot. They’re big, the transfer they got from Bradley (Mast) has been terrific. He’s a 3-point shooting five man who leads them in assists. Their five-out system is tailor made for kind of what Fred has been trying to do. So their shooting puts a real premium, and they cut exceptionally well, and they’ve got a big who can pass the heck out of it.”

+ Holtmann said Evan Mahaffey is creating more action offensively, and not just in terms of scoring, for the Buckeyes than he was earlier in the year. “And that’s what he’s got to continue to do for us. And that’s been a good thing to see,” Holtmann said.

+ Holtmann was asked about freshman forward Scotty Middleton, who has returned to practice after serving a one-game suspension for violation of team rules. Holtmann: “He’s a great kid. Had a good approach and a good attitude in practice. Yeah, I think sometimes the outside world makes a bigger deal of this than what it is. He’s good.”

+ Holtmann was asked about him mentioning postgame following the win over Penn State that he needed to commit to giving guard Dale Bonner more consistent minutes. “I think some of it was just trying to really think through maybe what’s best for our team,” Holtmann said. “And I think what’s best for our team is to alleviate some of the pressure from our primary scores, primary ball handlers. We need another guy, and right now Dale has proven in practice to be the most ready for that, but I need to get him in a little bit more of a rhythm, too.”