Chris Holtmann is all too aware of the challenge of facing Rutgers basketball, a team that the Ohio State head coach says is compounded by their physicality and the veterans in their rotation.
Rutgers (6-2, 1-0 Big Ten) is coming off an impressive 63-48 win on Saturday over then No. 10 Indiana. For the No. 23 Buckeyes, also 6-2 (0-0 Big Ten), this will be their Big Ten opener.
It comes against a Rutgers program that has made consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and features a trio of impact upperclassmen in center Cliff Omoruyi and guards Caleb McConnell and Paul Mulcahy. A team that, under head coach Steve Pikiell, has shown it is capable of playing with and beating some of the best teams in the Big Ten over the past three seasons.
“Tough, really tough. Well-coached older team – a lot of familiar guys. They’re now fully healthy healthy really for the first time all year,” Holtmann told reporters this week.
“Held Indiana to 48. I think they’re one of the best defensive teams in the country – certainly one of the best we’ll play. It is always very physical with Steve’s team. Again, he does a terrific job. It will be a great challenge, a fun challenge.”
Last week, Ohio State lost 81-72 at No. 15 Duke. They rebounded with a strong performance in a home win over St. Francis.
A week ago, Rutgers lost at Miami in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, going cold in the second half. They had their own rebound performance in a thorough win over Indiana.
“They’re disruptive, they turn you over. They’re great on the glass, both offensive and defensive glass,” Holtmann said about Rutgers.
“They’re long, they’re physical. They have a terrific big who is now kind of growing into his own as a third-year player. They have great positional size and strength.”
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