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Ohio State Basketball: 5 keys for a successful 2018-19 campaign

By Lukas Harkins

COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 10: Members of the Ohio State Buckeyes huddle prior to the start of the second half of the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Value City Arena on February 10, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Iowa 82-64. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 10: Members of the Ohio State Buckeyes huddle prior to the start of the second half of the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Value City Arena on February 10, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Iowa 82-64. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – FEBRUARY 10: Members of the Ohio State Buckeyes huddle. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – FEBRUARY 10: Members of the Ohio State Buckeyes huddle. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Head coach Chris Holtmann has Ohio State basketball in a great position. How might the Buckeyes grow in Year 2 under the new regime?

Ohio State basketball is in great shape. In just over one complete season at the helm of the program, head coach Chris Holtmann seems to have the Buckeyes trending in the perfect direction. Not only did the team massively overachieve last season but they are also dominating on the recruiting trail. Because of this, Ohio State’s future looks extremely bright. However, heading into this season, there are many differing opinions regarding Ohio State’s potential.

Keita Bates-Diop, who was the star of last year’s team, elected to leave school early for the NBA and that could be a disastrous loss. He was the go-to option offensively last season and now that he is gone, it is difficult to figure out who will take over his role. Additionally, it is important to mention that he is not the only departure. In fact, Kam Williams, Andrew Dakich, and Jae’Sean Tate all graduated after this past season. Because of these losses, it might be easy to write off Ohio State as a potential Big Ten contender.

Still, there are also plenty of reasons for optimism as well. Ohio State, a program led by an elite head coach, has a solid group of returning talent to go with a top-notch recruiting class. If the program is able to capitalize on these potential keys to success, then an NCAA Tournament bid will be in store this season.

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