Throughout the year, Land-Grant Podcast Network will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.

Head coaches Chris Holtmann and Ben Johnson, as well as Jamison Battle and Bruce Thornton, spoke with the media following Ohio State’s 84-74 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers at the Schott Sunday night.

Johnson said that the Buckeyes have “taken a step up” defensively since Minnesota last faced them — which was, of course, when they beat the Buckeyes in January in Columbus. Johnson said that Ohio State’s backcourt specifically is “very long and physical” and that the games they lost last year have undoubtedly played dividends this year and both Gayle and Thornton’s development.

Thornton talked about the final stretch where Ohio State put the game away with three three-pointers from three different players on three consecutive possessions, saying that he does not want other teams to be able to “key in on” any particular guy late in games. Battle talked about Dawson Garcia (who had 36 points), saying that they were roommates last year at Minnesota, but that on the court “it’s war.”

Holtmann praised Minnesota’s rebounding and Garcia’s ability to stay mobile, but also said that he loved his team’s start to the game, when it jumped ahead by 15 early. He said his team needs to close the first half better, but was proud of their poise in the closing minutes.

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