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CINCINNATI, Ohio – When Ohio basketball coach Chris Holtmann decided to schedule a round-robin series with Cincinnati, he hoped the game would spark interest.
But Holtmann admitted that even though he did not think 12,012 people – a packed house in the newly renovated Fifth Third Arena – would be equally enthusiastic about seeing rivals in the state face for the first time during a regular season game. since 1921.
"I do not even think I predicted this environment," said Holtmann after a road victory of 64-56. "It was great."
Even though the environment was amazing, the game itself was far from perfect, as both teams struggled to score in the first half. OSU shot 33% in the first period, while Cincinnati had a dismal 13.8%, scoring just four shots.
"I'm sure it was not always aesthetic … with two defensive teams," Holtmann said. "But it was a sacred college basketball competition for the second night of the season."
Ohio State (1-0) became alive in the second half as the Buckeyes made their first four shots and took control of the match at one point with 16 points in advance. While the attack was much better on the field (55% – including 5 out of 9), the defense continued to strangle Cincinnati.
Outside Junior Jarron Cumberland, who scored 22 points in the second period, the Bearcats did not find much offense for most of the second period.
"They are in a year of transition in terms of new faces, so I do not want to give too much credit to our defense," Holtmann said of the 27.4 percent Cincinnati event. "I think they've probably missed a few shots that they normally do."
Cumberland's most important points came in 59.5 seconds from the end, as he hit a three to draw his team in all four points. This shot was part of a 14-point stretch for the goalkeeper of the final six minutes of the match.
C & # 39; was as tight as Cincinnati (0-1) would come closer in the second half before senior CJ Jackson (13 points) scored the game on a contested overlay against junior redshirt Tre Scott with 29 seconds to play , then by shooting two throws a possession later.
"I knew that they had one of their best defensemen and I had to shoot a little higher than normal," Jackson said. "You live such a moment when you play against your rival within the state. What other way to get out? "
Despite an effective second half, the Ohio State still had moments when it was not possible to score. On two occasions, the Buckeyes had stretching more than five minutes without scoring a single goal.
But even with his offensive struggles, it does not affect how they competed on the defensive. In addition to limiting Cincinnati to a small percentage of shooting, Ohio State led for all but the first 4:09 of the game. Holtmann said that with the makeup of this team, the defensive side of the ball was to be their visiting card this season.
"It must be our identity," said Holtmann. "I'm looking forward to seeing when we will have 10-12 games in this situation so that's our identity."
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