NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - LOYOLA CHICAGO VS OHIO STATE

March 17, 2022

Chris Holtmann

Joey Brunk

E.J. Liddell

Jamari Wheeler

PPG Paints Arena

Ohio State Buckeyes

Media Conference

Q. How hopeful are you guys that you'll get some help on Friday with Kyle Young and Zed Key?

JOEY BRUNK: Yeah, I mean, obviously we want them to play, but at the end of the day that decision is not really up to us. We're rooting for them, want them back on the court with us, and we'll see how that all plays out.

Q. For you guys to have such a long college career, obviously, and this be your first NCAA Tournament game, does that feel like a true culmination and payoff for your career? Is this the moment you came to Ohio State for?

JAMARI WHEELER: Yeah, absolutely. When we first got selected, I don't think I slept that night. I was just so excited and ready to play, just like a dream come true, and I'm glad I'm here.

JOEY BRUNK: Yeah, I mean, my first two years at Butler we went to the tournament and I didn't play, but I was able to have a part of it. Obviously makes this weekend a little bit sweeter just thinking about the time and effort and how bad you wanted to have an opportunity to play in it.

Q. Jamari, I know you're excited about your first time playing in the tournament, but what are you trying to do to calm the nerves and make sure you're running your team?

JAMARI WHEELER: Just take it day by day, just learn from the guys that already been here and competed here. Just go out there and do what I do best, like don't overthink it, don't overdo it, just go out there and have fun at the end of the day and see how many games we can win.

Q. E.J., you've been the best player on this team for a couple years now and it's kind of odd that you've only played in one NCAA Tournament game. For you, you have experience in the tournament, but you really don't have a lot of experience compared to some of the other guys that are playing in this tournament. What is it like for you to think about that, to be one of the best players in the country but only have one game of NCAA Tournament experience?

E.J. LIDDELL: Happy I'm back here. Happy I have the opportunity to play in the tournament again. Like I said, it's a collective effort, collective group effort, and hope everybody is healthy come Friday so we all come to play and ready to compete. Looking forward to that and everybody being ready to go.

Q. E.J., with all the things you've accomplished in your career, having an opportunity here to put together a postseason run, when you think about what you want to accomplish at Ohio State, the legacy you want to leave, what would an NCAA Tournament run mean to you?

E.J. LIDDELL: I mean, a lot, honestly. To leave my name in the Ohio State fans' minds and just my legacy here is going to mean a lot, honestly. Got to go win some games first. Have to win some games. I love winning games. No matter how much I score or even if I don't score and we win the game, I'm proud.

Q. E.J., is there an increased pressure knowing this may be your last one, this is your last run at this? Was that at the back of your mind heading into this week? What has that been like?

E.J. LIDDELL: No, I just enjoy the moment, I live in the moment, have fun with it. I'm looking forward to it. Like Jamari said, I'm really excited for this. I've been excited to come into practice and work, getting ready to play.

Q. Jamari, there was a time -- I guess this is going back about five years -- when you were signed to play at Duquesne just a couple blocks from here. I know you just got in here, but what's the experience been like being in Pittsburgh where this is a city where you could have easily ended up? And how often do you think about how your life and career might have turned out differently had you stayed with that choice?

JAMARI WHEELER: Like you said, just being back here, it's kind of funny how life just all comes full circle and things like that. Right now I'm just focused, locked in on personnel, and just winning games at this point. It all didn't hit me yet as I think it's going to hit me when the season is done, but right now I'm just focused on winning.

Q. E.J., I want to ask you briefly about two people, Malachi Smith, how excited are you for his success and him being here, and Ryan Pedon who's going to be our head coach at Illinois State University, what should Illinois State fans know about him?

E.J. LINDELL: Malachi, we've know each other since we were kids. We played football probably third in grade, so I've known him my whole life and won a state championship together. And I'm happy he's having a successful career at Chattanooga. He started off at Wright State, but this year he's been one of the best players in the nation. Efficient and playing well, so happy for him.

Coach Pedon, he recruited me to Illinois State. Great guy. Just cares about his kids. Hasn't changed one bit since I got here. He looks at us like his family basically. You should look for a well-caring guy and he's going to be a good coach.

Q. E.J., obviously when you're playing in a season you're focused on doing the best and trying to get your team to this tournament, but how does it play in when your name is mentioned in the NBA Draft, and does that motivate you?

E.J. LIDDELL: I mean, that's cool stuff, honestly. That's a dream of mine that I have. Like I said, I've truly, honestly been living in the moment. I have fun every single second I'm with these guys. I enjoy my day, and when that stuff happens it happens, but right now I'm just enjoying life and enjoying the moment and living in it.

Q. As you're watching film, what are some of the intangible things that you look out for with Loyola?

JOEY BRUNK: I think from the start it's their toughness that they play with. They compete at a high level. You have to be ready for that as soon as the game starts.

E.J. LIDDELL: It's an experienced group. They have a lot of guys who have played in the NCAA Tournament, won a lot of tournament games. They have a collective group effort, so we've got to -- we know they're going to come out and play really, really hard. Got to match their intensity.

JAMARI WHEELER: Yeah, we know also they hang their hat on the defensive end, so just knowing it's going to be a grind it out game through the whole 40 minutes of it. So just be ready to win every possession because every position is going to matter.

Q. When Loyola was in here, they were still kind of talking about how they perceive themselves as, quote, the small school. I'm curious when you look at their resume, what are your impressions of them and has it changed from what you thought it was a few years ago? And do you see any similarities between what they're trying to do versus Butler, Gonzaga, those type of schools?

JOEY BRUNK: Yeah, I think they've been as consistent as anybody the last couple years. There's kind of that deal of being the smaller school and trying to say that they can compete and they deserve to compete and they've proven that. They're as capable and as good a team as anybody else in this tournament. It's not a big school versus small school. If you can make it to the NCAA Tournament you're pretty damn good for a reason. There's nobody really questioning that, I think especially now nationally with Loyola.

Q. Now that you've had a chance to look at some film of Loyola and study them a bit more, who do you see as some key players and how do you plan to shut them down?

E.J. LIDDELL: The guard Lucas Williamson, obviously he's been here for a while. He was on the Final Four team, I believe. Just looking at guys like him, everybody on the team, they just play really hard. Guys who come off the bench we have to know what they do. But it's a group effort. I feel like they aren't selfish at all, they share the ball and they play to win. Small school mentality, they have that underdog mentality, and they've come out and shown it for the past couple years.

Q. E.J., we talk a lot about Kyle Young and all the different ways he impacts winning, but if you look at some of the numbers for him in terms of how he impacts your defense, they're kind of staggering how much better you guys are when he's available to play. What is it about him that gives you such a lift?

E.J. LIDDELL: He's a leader. He plays hard. Everybody knows Kyle. He's always in the play. That's why he probably gets hit in the head so much. He just plays really hard.

I love when he's on the floor because he brings that older-guy mentality, just talking and just being active.

Q. E.J., not to bring up last year again, not necessarily how the game ended but just your performance in your first NCAA Tournament, what did you take from that, both the good, the bad, and the ugly that you can apply this time around?

E.J. LIDDELL: Yeah, even though we lost, I had a great experience. The time before that spending time with the guys in the hotel -- because of COVID last year, we were in the hotel the whole time. It was a great experience honestly. I'm just going to learn from that. Friday, tomorrow, I'm going to come back out with the same energy, same effort. Hopefully we have some healthy guys available to play.

I'm looking forward to it. Obviously I haven't forgot about that, and I'm ready for it.

Q. E.J., we talked with Malaki Branham yesterday and he mentioned he's excited for his first NCAA Tournament appearance. Just because you have that veteran experience, how have you seen Malaki approach the NCAA Tournament maybe differently than the Big Ten Tournament or regular season play?

E.J. LIDDELL: He's an everyday guy honestly. Comes into practice, same mentality, practices hard. He's excited. We was talking about it yesterday, I told him I was super excited, he's like, man, I can't wait to play.

Tomorrow we're going to be ready to play and all going to be ready to compete at a high level.

Q. Jamari, with this week of practice that you've had, what have you personally been able to work on? What do you think as a team you've been able to accomplish now that you've had a couple of days to work together?

JAMARI WHEELER: I would say just tighten our defense up. We focus on that a lot. Something we can control and just bringing energy, just going over the scouting report, things like that. We're just focused on ourselves really, just competing every day, coming in with great energy. Everybody is just excited just to be in the tournament. Practice was really fun this week, definitely felt like a first week of practice.

Q. When you were leaving Penn State, Jamari, you have one year of eligibility left, what about Ohio State appealed to you? What was it about that program, about that school that ultimately sold you?

JAMARI WHEELER: Just everything, just how it's a family environment, the players, the locker room, the culture. There's just something I was looking to for my next school and also being here where I'm at now, I wanted to help lead my team to March Madness. So just to be able to be on this stage right now, I feel like a dream came true. And also I just wanted to play with players like E.J., Joey, KY.

Just going through that whole process again, I feel like Ohio State was the best decision for me, and at the end, I'm glad I picked here.

Q. A question I have for any of you, obviously the last three weeks didn't go the way anybody would have wanted it for Ohio State. I think four losses the last five games. How has Coach Holtmann in your mind held up through this stretch and tried to keep spinning this thing forward in a positive manner and now the opportunity you have going into this. Just your thoughts on how he's handled this.

JOEY BRUNK: I mean, I definitely think there's a balance between learning from what happened and also being able to turn the page and being positive because there's still season left. And I think our coaching staff and Coach Holtmann have done a good job finding a balance between those two things. We want to improve but we also know there's still opportunity in front of us, and it's an important perspective to have that it's not necessarily all doom and gloom despite a few tough nights.

E.J. LIDDELL: Yeah, we've had the same approach, honestly, like Joey said, but it's not like the season was over. Rough couple weeks, but we had to all buy in. We made it to March Madness, and now we have to prove ourselves, honestly. We have to have that underdog mentality because I feel like a lot of people have been counting us out recently.

I feel like people forgot about how we play when we're fully healthy and we're all locked into everything. Come tomorrow y'all will see a different team.

CHRIS HOLTMANN: It's great to be here. Obviously great to be a part of this unbelievable tournament, the best sporting event in the world. I've said that for seven years now. It's the best sporting event in the world. I really believe that. It's the most dramatic, exciting few weeks, and we've been a part of some great wins and some tough losses. That's part of March Madness. That's why they call it March Madness.

We're thrilled to be a part of it. Obviously our guys have earned this opportunity. We're playing an outstanding team, an outstanding program in Loyola. Got tremendous respect for what they've done, how hard their kids play, how physical they are.

I think they're as hard playing and physical as any team that we've played all year. They're really as good as any team we've played all year, there's no question about it.

They've just got older guys who are really good players, tremendous culture, well-coached. It's a great challenge for us here. Certainly it's as challenging a first game as I've been a part of.

We're excited for it. I know our guys are. We're getting healthier. We'll know more on Kyle and Zed here tomorrow, but they are getting healthier. The final decision will be made tomorrow.

Q. Coach, with Drew being a first year head coach in the NCAA Tournament, I'm wondering what you remember about your first experience being a head coach in the tournament, handling the pressure in the moment and maybe how your approach has changed over the years with repeat appearances and going into this year, as well.

CHRIS HOLTMANN: Yeah, I think actually my first appearance was here, I think. We beat Texas and then lost to Notre Dame, if I've got that right. I think it was in this arena.

You know, you're just -- the Notre Dame game was an overtime loss, a really tough one. I can remember just about every play in the final last few minutes.

Yeah, I think it's just -- I think you're really focused on your team, coaching your team, getting your guys prepared. That's really what it's about. It's not -- obviously it's a big stage, but it's not any different than -- I'm sure he's working hard to prepare his team. He's got a veteran group that's been here, that's very experienced in these kind of games, and I know that always helps when you have that.

When I coached my first year, we had a couple guys that had played in the tournament, actually several guys, and that helped me. I know that that always helps when you have that level of experience.

Q. We just heard from E.J. and he said, I feel like people forget how we played when we were fully healthy and locked in and everything. Do you remember what you played like when you were fully healthy, and if you do, what does that look like and could that look like this time of year?

CHRIS HOLTMANN: Yeah, we played well. We played really well when we're healthy. Now, when we're fully healthy we didn't always play well, but most times we played really well and had some great wins. Played really well in stretches.

I think that's -- we're talking about fully healthy given the fact that we also had a couple season-ending injuries. But when we had our group that was available, yeah, I think we had some really good stretches of play. I think our guys remember that.

At the same time, listen, it's a challenge in front of us to play well whatever the case is regarding our injury situation. That's the challenge in front of us.

Q. I just wanted to ask, you mentioned the physicality of the team, but what are some of the other intangibles you're looking out for when you're coming into a game like this against Loyola?

CHRIS HOLTMANN: Well, I just think -- listen, their experience is tremendous. They've been through these games. They've played in a Final Four. They've been through a number of these games. They beat the No. 1 seed from our league last year to go to the Sweet 16.

I think they've got -- you can't discount their experience, but they also have very, very good players, very talented team. Williamson is going to play in the NBA. They've got very good players.

They're older. I know they added some transfers that have been really helpful for this group and really important. They've got great athleticism. Really good team.

Q. Not to belabor this, but do you see Kyle and Zed increasing their workload each day? Are they able to do more, for instance, in your workout this morning?

CHRIS HOLTMANN: Yeah, we have seen them do a little more, but it's not like they've been able to do full practices. But they have been able to do a little more, which has been encouraging to see despite not being able to do full practices.

Q. I'm curious, after the Michigan game you were talking about how E.J. Liddell kind of set the tone defensively in what you guys do. I'm curious especially heading into this stretch, this tournament, does he kind of take initiative, that leadership? Kind of where he goes, you guys go? Has he felt that weight heading into his final tournament?

CHRIS HOLTMANN: You're talking about the win on the road there? Yeah.

Yeah, I think he's showed good leadership. But it's got to be more than just him that carries the leadership load. I think we've -- Kyle is not a super vocal guy, but we've missed his leadership kind of on the floor and his steadiness on the floor.

I think E.J. has missed that when he's been out. Jamari has done a good job, and Justin has, but E.J. has certainly taken a major role in that.

Q. Do you see any similarities with where Butler was 15, 20, 25 years ago? The train was moving when you got there because of Brad and what he had done, but what impresses you -- do you get the sense watching them that their success is not tied to one player or one coach like you find with some teams that kind of bubble up and float back down?

CHRIS HOLTMANN: Yeah, great similarities, great similarities. I think Porter deserves tremendous credit for that because he built that. I know he struggled in his first, whatever it was, five or six years maybe. But he and his staff deserve great credit for that. Great similarities. Older teams, really tough guys, tremendous culture. They're as good as any team in the country.

I think we understand that now. I don't think they have a label. Obviously they're joining the A-10. It's not like they're a, quote-unquote, mid-major. They're a great program that has had a ton of NCAA Tournament success.

Yeah, I mean, it's one of those really elite programs in the country, and they've earned that.

Q. You talked about what it's going to be like to play Loyola and obviously they're known for what a strong defense they have. From a coaching perspective, what are going to be some of your keys for having your players really break through that defense?

CHRIS HOLTMANN: I think there's a resolve you have to have. You understand there could be some clunky possessions. They're really good defensively, as good as any team we've played all year, maybe the best defensive team we've played all year. So you're going to have to weather some potential scoring droughts. You're going to have to be tough minded enough to weather that because they're that good defensively.

Q. When you brought in Jamari Wheeler, what sort of expectations did you have for him as far as the role he'd fill for you, and how has he lived up to those expectations and hopes that you had for him?

CHRIS HOLTMANN: Yeah, Jamari has been great. We initially brought him in expecting that our guy that's with the Indiana Pacers, Duane Washington would be back. We went after Jamari right after the season last year so it was really quick. And so we thought it would be a great component there, kind of a scoring-minded 2 guard and then a guy that could really ball hawk.

Obviously Duane stayed in the draft, so Jamari has had to pick up a little bit of offensive load. He's done a good job. I think he's been able to kind of be Jamari for us, and we're certainly going to need that tomorrow.

Q. I know Kyle when he's available impacts you guys in myriad ways, but I'm wondering what makes him so effective on the defensive end for you? Is it the versatility or is there more to it than that?

CHRIS HOLTMANN: Yeah, I think it's activity for one. He's really active. And it is versatility. It's activity and versatility, and then he helps our rebounding a lot, too.

I think those two things. He's also gotten smarter as he's gotten older in how to defend and play. You know, just the versatility that he provides. I feel like I've banged that drum for months now. I feel like that's really important. But his activity is pretty good, too, when he's playing like Kyle.

Q. We cover Illinois State University, and Ryan Pedon, how much has the impact been for you at Ohio State and how is he ready for Illinois State?

CHRIS HOLTMANN: He's ready. He's more than ready. He's going to do a phenomenal job. He's going to do a great job for that program. It's a phenomenal hire. He's obviously focused on us right now, but the community will love him.

Q. E.J. has done a lot of great things in his career, but when you think about what is still out there for him at this level, how much does NCAA Tournament success matter to a player's legacy?

CHRIS HOLTMANN: Well, I think it does. It does. I think he recognizes that, and obviously one year got taken away from him when he played an important role on that team. So he would have been an important role on that team playing in NCAA Tournament games. I think that would have given him valuable experience.

But sure, there's no question I think that's the case. I know he's excited and looking forward to the opportunity.

Q. I don't think we've asked you since it came out, E.J. made an All-American team. Just looking back on his career, I know it's not over given what you're going to do tomorrow, but looking back when you recruited him to now and how his career has turned out here?

CHRIS HOLTMANN: Yeah, so proud of E.J. So proud of E.J. really for the career he's had but for the year he's had and his ability to get better. He's improved by almost every metric.

We talked about his growth as a player. I'm really happy for him. I'm proud of him. It's a great honor. We had some great individual honors on this year's group, and I'm happy for those guys that earned that because they certainly did. When you get a postseason award in any league, you have earned it through your play throughout the season. Couldn't happen to a better kid.

Q. I asked the players about what the mood around the team has been the last three weeks when some things maybe didn't go your way. They said you and the coaches have done a good job of keeping it positive, learning from the mistakes, and trying to spin it forward in a positive manner. What part of you has to be the sports psychologist to kind of manage this team through this lull and get them back up for this event?

CHRIS HOLTMANN: Yeah, I've probably got to be a sports psychologist for myself first. After that, yeah, I think there is a dynamic of that for sure. There's a perspective required in college basketball that's different than college football because the number of games and the league play. You try to do exactly what they said. You try to make the necessary improvements. I don't think you can ignore the things that need to be improved, and yet at the same time bring perspective to your group and hopefully an optimism of what's ahead. That's been what we've tried to do.

Q. You have a lot of guys who don't have NCAA Tournament experience. You do have a lot of tournament experience. When you go into this how much do you have to talk to the guys who haven't been here about, sure, every game, 40 minutes is a roller coaster, but this is a completely different animal that you have to deal with emotionally?

CHRIS HOLTMANN: Yeah, we'll talk about it. I'll share some of my experiences. We'll discuss it. You're right. I think there's an experience element that's different with obviously the Loyola team than what our team faces. So we'll talk about it. We won't dwell on it too much, but we'll talk about it, maybe try to give them a couple things to help kind of free their minds a little bit.