Balancing expectations was something Chris Holtmann talked about at length before the 2017-18 season started.
Halfway through Big Ten play, however, those expectations have changed exponentially.
Ohio State is undefeated in Big Ten play and 18-4 overall, already having surpassed last year's win total in both win-loss columns. Following the Buckeyes' most recent win, Holtmann said he wanted to make sure he appreciated the run his team was on, acknowledging that a 9-0 start to league play is not something that happens often.
"I don't want to take this for granted," Holtmann said following a hard-fought 64-59 win over Nebraska. "I've never been a part of anything like this, and I don't know that I ever will again. You don't just start 9-0 in conference play, and I don't want to take that for granted. It's been an amazing run, and hopefully we continue it."
In order to continue it, Holtmann said striking a balance between appreciation and preparation will be critical moving forward.
"I don't know that we are always great at that. Winning is really hard. It's hard in general, (but) it is really hard in league play when everybody is on even ground. Appreciating that and appreciating what goes into that in the moment, is important," Holtmann said Wednesday. "At the same time, we want to not focus on the results, winning or losing. We want to be committed to focus on how we are playing."
The Buckeyes are playing at a level that not many expected them to be playing at this early in Holtmann's Ohio State career. The Scarlet and Gray are ranked No. 13 in the country and with a win over Penn State on Thursday night, could very well enter the top 10 in the Associated Press poll come Monday afternoon.
Surprising perhaps just as many people with his play has been backup point guard Andrew Dakich, who has given the Buckeyes and Holtmann more than was initially expected of him on the floor. He too acknowledged Wednesday that a perfect record halfway through league play is not something that was foreseen.
“Appreciating that and appreciating what goes into that in the moment, is important.”– Chris Holtmann on Ohio State's 9-0 start in B1G play
"To start out 9-0, you can't really expect that," Dakich said. "But we believe we have a chance in every single game. I envisioned having a successful season, but to start like this and getting guys playing at a really high level, you really can't expect everyone to play at (such) a high level like this."
Through the more recent stretch of games, Holtmann has preached to his players that game after game will be a grind. He has been right for the most part, as Ohio State has repeatedly had to battle back from early deficits to win late as evidenced by wins over Northwestern and Nebraska.
Dakich added Wednesday that Holtmann's message hasn't felt redundant, because Ohio State continues to win games, more recently with gutsy performances.
"Winning never gets old. When we win, we celebrate the same way. That's the main thing. Everyone enjoys winning. It's a great feeling. Sometimes, you can't wait to be here the next day," Dakich said. "That's the joy behind it."
The reality for Ohio State is, there are still nine league games left to play, including a Feb. 7 matchup against Purdue (19-2, 8-0) that could play a role in determining the conference champion at the end of the season. Holtmann said that while a lot could change from now until the end of the regular season, Ohio State's hot start to Big Ten play has at least positioned the Buckeyes to be playing more meaningful games down the stretch.
"There can be no definitive statements made about us other than, we are halfway through Big Ten play. A lot can happen in the second half," Holtmann said. "What we have done as a group is position ourselves to play in games that are meaningful and really matter in February and that is a lot of fun if you're a college basketball player. You're playing in games that have some real value and meaning because you're playing for a postseason opportunity."
