"Big, Physical": Ohio State Buckeyes Coach Chris Holtmann Describes UCLA Bruins in Two Words

Coach Holtmann previewed his team's upcoming game against the UCLA Bruins during a press conference on Wednesday, using two words to describe his opponent.

Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball coach Chris Holtmann met with the media on Wednesday to preview his team's upcoming contest against the UCLA Bruins.

The Buckeyes helmsman gave updates on the health of his team, shared his thoughts on the season so far and previewed the Bruins.

UCLA and Ohio State do battle this Saturday, December 16. The top team in the Pac-12 Conference, Holtmann's description of the Bruins took just two words.

"Big, physical," said Holtmann. "They've got a terrific front line, great size...They rebound it well. Probably as good of a defensive team as we'll play all year, certainly the best defensive team we'll have played up until this point."

Freshman guard Sebastian Mack leads UCLA in points with an average of almost 14 per game. Mack is on the floor for just short of 31 minutes a night, and hauls in almost five rebounds every contest along with his points.

Saturday's game between the Buckeyes and Bruins is part of the CBS Classic. The annual tournament takes place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, and also features the Kentucky Wildcats and North Carolina Tarheels.

Last year's CBS Classic took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, when the Buckeyes lost in overtime to the Tarheels, 89-84. Holtmann said he and his team are honored to be a part of the yearly event, which pits some of the best basketball squads in the country against one another.

"You're talking about blueblood basketball programs, Holtmann said. "There's great value in us as a program aligning ourselves with that...It's always good teams, it's always good competition."