With final exams in full swing at Ohio State, Chris Holtmann's squad has a much-needed break ahead of it.
After playing seven games in a 17-day stretch, the Buckeyes are in the midst of a seven-day layoff before returning to action against Appalachian State on Saturday.
The stretch will include a pair of days off, as Holtmann told reporters this past Saturday that he would give his players Sunday and Tuesday off, while the head coach spends those days on the recruiting trail.
"We have a really important week for finals," Holtmann said. "We have guys that really need to finish this thing well. We can forget about that, but these guys are students."
Ohio State senior guard Kam Williams said the recent stretch the Buckeyes have had has been tough on him not only on the court, but off of it as well.
"I have a stats (exam) and I am terrible at math so that is all I have been doing," Williams said with a smile. "I'm not even worried about my other classes. (The exam) is not until the 14th, but I have been studying every day."
Once the Buckeyes return to full-time practice on Wednesday, Holtmann said Ohio State will focus on itself before turning its attention to the Mountaineers later in the week.
"You always worry about the game before finals and after finals. I will have a lot of concern going into App State," Holtmann said after soundly beating William & Mary 97-62. "Getting better and getting our team better, that is our focus as much as anything right now through film study. Towards the end of the week, we will prepare for App State."
The Buckeyes and Mountaineers are set to tip off at 6 p.m. Saturday at Value City Arena.
