Chris Holtman, Head Coach

On avoiding complacency:

I think that’s a constant challenge for any coach. The ability to handle success is often harder than being able to deal with adversity. Both present challenges equally in different ways. The reality is, there hasn’t been a Big Ten win on the road this year. You’re just trying to focus in on the day in front of us.

On Andre Wesson:

Even though he’s not the most vocal, and that’s probably an understatement, he connects out there on the floor. He’s got a great ability to just connect, particularly on defense. He is not out of position a whole lot. He understands our scheme really well. Sees things, and when you’re out there with two other freshmen, that’s really really important.

On the Big Ten:

We play in the best league in the country. We play in the best, deepest league in the country no doubt about it. It has been proven again. We’ve played good basketball and you’ve got a guy like Kaleb who has been exceptional, but you understand that other teams in this league are really really good.

Duane Washington, Guard

ON HAVING TIME OFF:

It’s kind of a blessing and a burden. If teams are on a roll and get a week off, it can kind of hurt you, quote unquote, a little bit. The blessing side of that is you get to recuperate and get back on track whether you’re doing well or doing poorly.

ON PREPARATION:

We were just working really, really hard over the summer. Trying harder. Giving more effort both offensively and defensively. Just testing my body to its limits, and it’s going well. I’m going to keep doing that.

ON TRUSTING THE COACHING STAFF:

I think we should all just trust what Coach wants to do. If he gives me the role of coming off the bench or in the starting five, I know he believes in me and I know he believes in everybody else at the highest ability. Whatever they believe is the best for the team is the best for the team.

ON WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT FOR THIS TEAM:

Trusting each other and doing your job. They both got to be done at the right time, at the right speed, the right strength. All that stuff is calculated in practice and worked on. Trust and friendships helps that as well.

ON TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS SO FAR:

Everyone had their thoughts on what we were going to accomplish. We haven’t accomplished anything. It’s December. We want to be talking in March and so on. We’re just going to take it day by day, stay where our feet are, and attack the day and the next game.

ON HIS APPROACH TO DEFENSE:

Defense was something I had overlooked as a younger player, looking back on my career. I didn’t take it as seriously as I needed to. As soon as I got here, that approach had to change. Otherwise, you’re going to be on the bench. I guess I wanted to be challenged. I like challenges. Being able to come here and attack that challenge and get better on both ends of the ball, it was good for me.

Kyle Young, Forward

ON PENN STATE:

That game was fun for sure. Not very many times are we going to shoot like that. Come ready to play and keep shooting that thing, and hopefully it will happen again.

ON APPROACH DURING RECENT TIME OFF:

We’ve been working. We’re here to get better. December is a time where a lot of teams can become complacent, like the coaches said. It’s easy for teams to get relaxed and not focused on getting better. We’re kind of taking the opposite approach to where we need to get better in December and January.

ON THE BUZZ SURROUNDING THE TEAM RIGHT NOW:

We try and block out that outside noise. On social media, there’s a lot being said about us right now. It’s really trying to keep the same mentality that we had coming into the summer. We know what we got. We got to show people what we got.

ON TOGETHERNESS OF GROUP:

With how close we are and how connected we are, I think it just makes it that much easier for us offensively, defensively, whatever it is, just to be connected on the court. Knowing what guys are going to do. Stuff like that. It makes it more fun for us to play too.

ON HOW THIS YEAR MAY SEEM DIFFERENT:

This is my third year now, and we’re making big strides. We’ve had two previously good years, but right now I just think we’ve got bigger goals and that’s something we’re working towards.

ON TEAM’S VERSATILITY:

Pretty much the whole team can just go out and play freely. I can see that bringing challenges for other teams, especially if they don’t have that opportunity. Everyone knows you got a role on the team, and that’s what makes teams great. Guys knowing their roles and being able to execute them at the highest level.

ON OTHER COACHES CALLING HIM SELFLESS:

I’m just trying to make the play that’s best for my team. Whatever I need to do to be out there and help my team, I’m going to do. I think a lot of my game is just energy and effort. That might be something that stands out when it comes to being selfless.

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Quick Quotes: Men’s Basketball Previewing Minnesota

Chris Holtman, Head Coach

Duane Washington, Guard

Kyle Young, Forward

Ohio State Buckeyes | Ohio State University Athletics

Departments

Media

More

University

Information

Athletic Facilities

Athletics

The Team Shop

Get In The Game

Purchase Tickets

Purchase Tickets

Ticket Office

Resources

Quick Quotes: Men’s Basketball Previewing Minnesota

Chris Holtman, Head Coach

Duane Washington, Guard

Kyle Young, Forward

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