Ohio State Upsets #2 Purdue after Coaching Change

After dropping nine of 11 games, Ohio State decided it couldn’t get any worse if they replaced the Buckeyes’ head coach so they cashiered Chris Holtman on February 14th and replaced him with assistant coach Jake Diebler on an interim basis. Diebler got thrown into the fire immediately as the Buckeyes first game with him at the helm was against Purdue, leaders of the Big 10 and holding the #2 ranking in the country.

Evidently the change jolted—or inspired—Ohio State’s players. Bruce Thornton scored 22 and Jamison Battle scored 19 as the Buckeyes beat the visiting Boilermakers 73-69 on February 18th. Zach Edey scored 22 had had 13 rebounds for Purdue.

Purdue dropped to 12-3 in the Big 10 and 23-3 overall, while Ohio State improved to 5-11 in conference play and 15-11 overall. The Purdue loss tightens up the Big 10 race a bit, with Illinois a game and a half back at 10-4 and Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Michigan State all 9-6. Purdue is still in the driver’s seat if it can avoid a total collapse. The Boilermakers host Rutgers, Michigan State, and Wisconsin yet, and will play at Michigan and Illinois.

Ohio State also has five games left, and depending on how it goes, perhaps interim coach Diebler will earn the job permanently. He’s off to a good start.