Chris Holtmann claps in affirmation in the first half of the game against Rutgers on Feb. 2. Ohio State won 76-62. Credit: Casey Cascaldo | Photo Editor Chris Holtmann had to start over. After inheriting what became the Big Ten Player of the Year in Keita Bates-Diop and forward Jae’Sean Tate from the Thad Matta regime in his first season as the Ohio State head coach, Holtmann had to mold his team into something else entirely in his second season. Ohio State was not going to be the same team during the 2018-19 season without Tate and Bates-Diop. Holtmann was tasked with rebuilding his roster from the ground up, relying on unproven talent, including a four-member 2018 recruiting class. But Holtmann had the same goal for his team in his second season as the first: getting a bid in the NCAA Tournament. “I thought we would have to play well.…
Continue Reading: Men’s Basketball: Ohio State’s season-opening win solidified tournament resume
