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I’m trying to think of what record is just a “you gotta fire him unless the money just ain’t there.”

3-17 in conference feels like that spot. Maybe 5-15?

With the home loss to Penn State on the books, 3-17 is now more likely than not. 

Ohio State's mathematical best-case-scenario is 6-14.

Ohio State seasons with six or fewer league wins since Fred Taylor's tenure ended at the end of the 1975/76 season:

• 6-10 in 2004, O'Brien's last year
• 1-15 in 1998, O'Brien's first year
• 5-13 in 1997, Ayers' last year
• 3-15 in 1996, Ayers' second-to-last year
• 2-16 in 1995, Ayers' third-to-last year
• 6-12 in 1994, Ayers' fourth-to-last year
• 6-12 in 1989, Williams' last year
• 6-12 in 1977, Eldon Miller's first season

Matta's worst season was 7-11 and he was let go after that season. Keep in mind that this was a guy who won five league titles and went to five S16's, two F4's, and a NCG. Holtmann, of course, has done none of those things.

In retrospect Ayers shouldn't have been retained as long as he was but the school's reluctance to fire him is understandable considering that he won two league titles, made two S16's, and an E8*. Holtmann, of course, has done none of those things.

If Smith doesn't terminate Ohio State's relationship with coach Holtmann after this catastrophe he will be accepting a level of futility that has been unacceptable at Ohio State at least for the roughly 50 years since Fred Taylor left.

*Ayers' E8 would have been a F4 if not for a loss to a team cough-Michigan-cough with a higher payroll than most NBA teams that season.

Ohio State's mathematical best-case-scenario is 6-14.

Ohio State seasons with six or fewer league wins since Fred Taylor's tenure ended at the end of the 1975/76 season:

• 6-10 in 2004, O'Brien's last year
• 1-15 in 1998, O'Brien's first year
• 5-13 in 1997, Ayers' last year
• 3-15 in 1996, Ayers' second-to-last year
• 2-16 in 1995, Ayers' third-to-last year
• 6-12 in 1994, Ayers' fourth-to-last year
• 6-12 in 1989, Williams' last year
• 6-12 in 1977, Eldon Miller's first season

Matta's worst season was 7-11 and he was let go after that season. Keep in mind that this was a guy who won five league titles and went to five S16's, two F4's, and a NCG. Holtmann, of course, has done none of those things.

In retrospect Ayers shouldn't have been retained as long as he was but the school's reluctance to fire him is understandable considering that he won two league titles, made two S16's, and an E8*. Holtmann, of course, has done none of those things.

If Smith doesn't terminate Ohio State's relationship with coach Holtmann after this catastrophe he will be accepting a level of futility that has been unacceptable at Ohio State at least for the roughly 50 years since Fred Taylor left.

*Ayers' E8 would have been a F4 if not for a loss to a team cough-Michigan-cough with a higher payroll than most NBA teams that season.

I was looking down the rabbit hole. If you count 2020, Holtmann already has as many or more NCAA appearances as a Buckeye coach than anyone outside of Matta.

^^^Thing I only care about in that it is a means to an ends^^^

Things I care about:

• How many League Titles has he won?
• How many league titles has he seriously contended for (not counting with his predecessor's recruits in his first year)?
• How many NC Games has he been to?
• How many F4's?
• How many E8's?
• How many S16's has he been to?
• How many S16's has he been close to?

Things I care about:
- Recruiting
- Successful Seasons

Things I don't care about
- League titles
- Which NCAA tournament game you lost

Matta's worst season was 7-11 and he was let go after that season. Keep in mind that this was a guy who won five league titles and went to five S16's, two F4's, and a NCG. Holtmann, of course, has done none of those things.

Was Matta getting “let go” more of a mutual separation? For as much as I watched Buckeyes basketball back when Matta had them rolling, I can’t seem to remember the terms of how it ended. Hard to believe a “sub-elite” basketball school would give up on the guy after those successes.

It should be interesting. OSU will likely have around 10 freshmen and sophomores on the team next year.

Though I believe the case is stronger to fire Holtmann at this point, the freshman/sophomore bodies helming the team next season are kind’ve why I see a bit of a Win/Win convenience if Holtmann is kept aboard for next season.

Win: Combining this year’s freshman contributors (Sensabaugh, Thornton, Okpra – hopefully sticking around) with next year’s currently sixth ranked class (24/7) next season could be a surprising turn around in a high-risk/high-reward way. Without Holtmann the current list of commits dissolves and this season’s freshman are risked to the Portal.

Win: Should next season be another disaster Ohio State is already on notice to find the next guy and hopefully next season's sophomores and freshman who do stay aboard are an effective nucleus for the next hire to coach up and build around.

edit to quote TI's Bronny point:

My 2 cents. I would call up James family. Hey Bronny are you coming to OSU if we keep Holtman? If not, Lebron what coach would bring your son to our campus?

Seriously that's how I would handle it. Lebron is the biggest brand in Basketball having his son here means a lot of great things for OSU, even past the 1 or 2 years the kid plays here. If Holtman's not the guy to get him, then I'm ok moving on.

Completely agree with the above if Ohio State's admin is willing to simplify Holtmann's job security by whether Bronny signs or not. Ohio State is in his Top 3. Bronny in a Buckeyes jersey legitimizes Ohio State as college basketball's biggest ticket next season. Plus, with the young talent already expected to be in Columbus, it could be the turn around season Holtmann needs.

The end of the Ayers era was a LOT worse. On top of the record being as bad as it is now, players were also getting arrested and kicked off of the team for shooting out each others' tires.