NCAA Basketball: Villanova's struggles, 2K Classic outcomes and other takeaways

NCAA Basketball: Villanova’s struggles, 2K Classic outcomes and other takeaways

By Brian Rauf | Nov 18, 2018

VILLANOVA, PA - NOVEMBER 14: The Villanova Wildcats bench looks on in the final moments of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Finneran Pavilion on November 14, 2018 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Michigan defeated Villanova 73-46. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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BOISE, ID – MARCH 15: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts in the first half against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 15, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

5) Ohio State and Chris Holtmann look like they can do it again

As good as those mid-tier teams in the Big Ten have been, Ohio State has done as good of a job as any.

The Buckeyes had a surprising first year under head coach Chris Holtmann, winning 25 games and making it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament despite being picked to finish near the bottom of the Big Ten. This year, following the departures of Keita Bates-Diop, Kam Williams, and Jae’Sean Tate, Ohio State was expected to “come back to reality” a little bit.

That hasn’t happened.

Many top teams try to avoid playing as many true non-conference road games as possible, the Buckeyes have already done it twice, beating Cincinnati and Creighton – both of whom are KenPom top 50 teams.

Ohio State has done this by playing balanced basketball (six players average at least nine points per game), but senior guard C.J. Jackson (14.3 ppg) has stepped up and replaced Bates-Diop as their leader and go-to guy.

No one does more with less than Chris Holtmann does, and he has the Buckeyes on track for another NCAA Tournament bid.

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