The Ohio State basketball team is again floundering in January after having a pretty promising start to the 2023-2024 season. That makes two years in a row and the Buckeyes are in serious jeopardy of not making the NCAA Tournament once again. In fact, it would be a bit of a shock for this team to turn it around and find a way to elbow its way into all of the madness.
With all of the troubles on the court once again, especially after two highly regarded recruiting classes, one has to wonder what outgoing athletic director, Gene Smith, thinks about the job that Holtmann is doing.
Well, wonder no more. In a story that appeared in the Columbus Dispatch, Smith provided a bit of an opening to suggest that he may have a decision to make before he officially retires at the end of June.
“We have a lot of this season left to play, and we have coaches and players that are focused on winning every day,” Smith was quoted as saying in The Columbus Dispatch. “I’m looking forward to seeing how this turns out.”
That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement and we could very well see some action if the team and coaches can’t pull things together and end the season on a high note.
Exclusive: #OhioState athletic director Gene Smith on Chris Holtmann: "I'm looking forward to seeing how this (season) turns out." New #Buckeyes story posted: https://t.co/0S98g0EKLM
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) January 28, 2024
Who knows what it’ll take for Smith to make a decision either way, but you have to believe not making the NCAA Tournament wouldn’t be a positive development. If a move is made, a buyout of $14 million would have to be absorbed by the university.
Tick tock goes the clock.
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