Ohio State hosts Oakland on Monday in the opener for two programs looking to rebound from the disappointment of last season.
The Buckeyes went 16-19, including a stretch of 14 losses in 15 games, to miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time in coach Chris Holtmann’s six seasons in in Columbus, Ohio, excluding the pandemic shortened 2019-20 season.
Even a three-game winning streak in the Big Ten tournament to reach the semifinals was little solace.
“How can you not be motivated after what we all went through last year?” Holtmann said. “That’s the benefit of having guys that have scars on them from last year. There can be real power in the pain we went through last year. If it’s used in a way that provides fuel, I think that’s a really positive thing.”
Ohio State lost forward Brice Sensabaugh (16.3 points, 5.4 rebounds per game) to a one-and-done when he was drafted 28th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2023 NBA Draft. The Buckeyes went to the transfer portal to add fifth-year forward Jamison Battle (Minnesota), fifth-year guard Dale Bonner (Baylor) and sophomore guard Evan Mahaffey (Penn State).
And senior forward Zed Key (10.8 points, 7.5 rebounds) returns after undergoing shoulder surgery in February. He’s dropped 18 pounds from last season to 235.
“I definitely feel quicker and more explosive,” he said.
Oakland (13-19 last season) starts an ambitious nonconference schedule that includes four teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season: Illinois (the next opponent on Nov. 10), Drake, Xavier and Michigan State — the latter two reaching the Sweet Sixteen — as well as NIT participant Toledo.
“We expect to win one, maybe two of them,” said Greg Kampe, who enters his 40th season as Oakland’s coach. “Now, I don’t know whether we can do that, but that’s our expectations.”
The Grizzlies are led by Trey Townsend, who averaged 16.5 points and 7.6 rebounds in 36.2 minutes last season.
–Field Level Media
