CLEVELAND — OSU HC Chris Holtmann praised WVU following a 78-75 Buckeyes win in overtime on Saturday night in Cleveland, Ohio. Holtmann shared a different perspective on how to prepare for this West Virginia team, who has gone through many phases this season.
“It was one of the most unique scouts I’ve had in 25 years. It really was,” Holtmann said.
In the last month, West Virginia has returned Akok Akok (health), RaeQuan Battle (waiver), Noah Farrakhan (waiver) and Kerr Kriisa (suspension). All four have been inserted into WVU’s starting lineup under interim HC Josh Eilert. Holtmann mentioned how they scouted the new players outside of the few games they’ve played. West Virginia has had to change its original slow-paced offense when they only had eight players available to a fast-paced team under Kriisa.
“I think we had enough tape but it is challenging,” Holtmann said. “You know given now you can go back and you can see all of their tendencies from their previous schools but still we just knew what we were facing. Such a different, more talented and explosive team than what we had seen on tape in those first couple of games.”
To Holtmann and Ohio State, the games without Akok, Battle, Farrakhan and Kriisa weren’t even important, since WVU is such a different team now. So much so that Holtmann added that he didn’t even bother watching the first couple of games.
Holtmann did comment on his thoughts about the current state of West Virginia’s program.
“Credit to West Virginia. Josh [Eilert] and his staff are doing a great job with this group,” Holtmann said. “Obviously it’s unique when they’ve had the three leading scorers back now. They’re going to have a lot of quality wins with the talent they have now on the roster. Wish Josh and those guys well.”
West Virginia will head into Big 12 play at 5-8 as they take on No. 3 Houston next Saturday.
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