COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Following Ohio State basketball’s 79-72 win over Maryland on Sunday, the Terrapins head coach Mark Turgeon made his feelings known about the officiating.
He voiced his frustrations with how he felt his leading scorer Anthony Cowan Jr. wasn't getting the calls he deserved. That eventually led to Cowan Jr. receiving a technical foul for what appeared to be an attempt to kick Kaleb Wesson in the head. Turgeon went on to describe Wesson's playing style as a "bully."
"He was allowed to be the bully offensively today," Turgeon said after the game. "I mean, he stuck a forearm right in Stix's chest twice. I guess you're allowed to do that here in this building."
Turgeon’s complaints continued this week. He told reporters, “it was really like the big brother picking on the little brother, and the parents were just letting him do it” during a Tuesday press conference. His continued comments on the subject on ESPN’s “Courtside with Greenberg and Dakich” podcast compelled Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann to respond during a press conference in preparation for Nebraska.
"I thought that those comments afterward were just, quite honestly, a little bit out of place," Holtmann said. "Again, tremendous respect for Mark. I think he's a tremendous coach. I think the job that he's done this year is tremendous, and they've got a team that is going to be well-positioned for a great run. They've had a great season. We're certainly moving on, but it was hard to let that one rest. I think the continued dialogue is why I'm addressing it."
On any given night, Wesson is the biggest player on the floor at 6-foot-9 and 270 pounds. Despite his tendency to get into foul trouble, Holtmann applauded the junior forward’s ability to adjust to how he’s officiated. Wesson is averaging three fouls per game and has only fouled out twice this season, against Kentucky and Iowa.
“No one is scrutinized in terms of officiating more than Kaleb Wesson,” Holtmann said. “He’s had to adjust the last couple of years. ... He’s going to have to continue to adjust, and I thought those comments afterward were quite honestly a little bit out of place.”
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