Mailbox: Ohio State basketball's Chris Holtmann, Kevin McGuff under fire from readers

Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com

On Ohio State men's basketball

To the editor: Remember the old beer commercial, "It’s Miller Time"? Sadly, l think that’s where OSU basketball has gone. Back to the days of Eldon Miller. Taking players out of games when they’re hot, strange substitutions and not winning any titles.

Brent DeWees, Pickerington

On Ohio State women's basketball

To the editor: I believe the Buckeyes' roundball problems stem from a lack of sound coaching. To start the season with a long stretch of wins and then to totally collapse is a sign of a leadership vacuum.

Granted, they are short two possible starters at the same position, but most of the long win streak was accomplished during this shortage. Then, to be so soundly beaten and to be badly out-rebounded and display such a shortage on defense is unacceptable. The answer lies in coach McGuff not being able to rally his young team.

Specifics to look at: the Buckeyes being consistently beaten by a bigger center who can really shoot at close range (Indiana and others). Has McGuff ever considered fronting or denying the ball? I believe Cotie McMahon, at 6 feet, could fill the bill. While being a bit shorter than some centers, she would be agile and aggressive enough to play in front and deny the ball on defense.

The other is the long-playing Jacy Sheldon epoch. We were told that Jacy is, "week to week" or, "day to day." When she was finally inserted into the Maryland game, it came to no avail. Bad timing. Why play a gal who hasn't played for two months against a highly ranked team on their home court?

Wake up, coach!

Don Denton, Westerville

On losing teams

To the editor: I loved Rob Oller's article in Sunday's Dispatch titled "Some teams are always waiting for next year." It hit home since I am a day-one Blue Jackets season ticket holder and also a Cleveland Browns season ticket holder since their 3-year void when they moved to Baltimore. The surprise sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning a few years ago in the NHL playoffs was magical. But we still have not ever gotten past round two.

The Browns have had a few playoff appearances over the past 25 years, with some great moments (we had Pittsburgh beat in 2003 only to blow it) but I think I am correct in saying that we have not had one home playoff game during that time. Wow.

So, maybe I am the problem. Thank goodness I have my Mount Union Purple Raiders with their 13 out of 21 football national championships during that same time.

Jim Durham, Columbus

On Ohio State athletics

Dear Editor: Where is the student and faculty outcry regarding the $48 million loan to the OSU athletic department? If I were a student or faculty member I would feel outraged that the school gave this huge amount of money to the athletic department while many very worthwhile student and faculty requests for funding are denied. There should be some protests by students and faculty to get real answers from the school regarding the sweetheart deal that was given. The athletic department should have looked for funding outside the school, as does any other business. Don’t be fooled − the OSU athletic department is a business, plain and simple. News flash! There are these things called banks that are in the loan-making business. Maybe Gene Smith needs to retake Business 101.  Chet Ridenour, Worthington

On high school basketball

To the editor: First things first: Congratulations to the Northland Vikings for winning the 2023 City League boys basketball championship. I open my Columbus Dispatch on Sunday morning and was looking forward to reading the story on the game. I open the paper again on Monday knowing that I can count on coverage about a great game, and again nothing. (Why I still subscribe is beyond me.) It’s a shame that our only paper in town let the community down with lack of coverage of the game. I have lived in Columbus since 1978 and I can’t remember the Dispatch not covering the game at all. I have coached in the City League since 1986 and have been involved in City championship contest at least eight times (as a head coach), and our student-athletes, parents, schools and community deserve better.

I understand limitations on space. I get that content needs to be in by a certain deadline in order to get it to print. But this game was at noon. Shame on The Dispatch for not having a story in print on Sunday following the game, but to not even have a mention of what I consider one of the best City league games I have witnessed in 20 years? Shame on The Dispatch if you didn’t send a reporter to cover this fantastic event, and more shame on you if you did send a reporter and the story was not published.

Dean Washington

To Dean: It was indeed a great game, and we did cover it − and the City girls final − with a writer and a photographer, and immediately after the game posted a story and photo gallery on Dispatch.com. With print space limited and deadlines not conducive to delivering late-breaking news, we are unable to publish print stories on all the many leagues we cover in central Ohio. But our coverage online is extensive and well worth the subscription.

On Dimitrious Stanley

To Brian: Dimitrious Stanley truly is one of those people for whom you can say that the world is a lesser place without him.

Dennis Singleton, Dayton

More from the Mailbox:

Readers unhappy about Ohio State lending $48M to athletic department

A vote to keep Chris Holtmann; and why do refs hate everything about Ohio?

Readers don't like letter calling Ohio State Buckeyes lucky in 2003 Fiesta Bowl

'Back off!': Readers come to the defense of Ohio State football coach Ryan Day

Threatening OSU players makes no sense; and did refs want Georgia to win for ESPN?

Praise for Ohio State's CJ Stroud, but jeers for Jim Knowles and Rob Oller

Ohio State DBs need better technique; and Pete Rose ushering in gambling is tacky

Disdain for the NIL era and joy at Ohio State's possible rematch with Michigan

Ohio State football coaches' bonuses in wake of Michigan loss adds to the pain

Ohio State lost to Michigan in football, and readers aren't happy

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Readers unhappy with Ohio State's Chris Holtmann, Kevin McGuff