Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann has decided to reinstate starting guards Luther Muhammad and Duane Washington Jr. The two were suspended for “a failure to meet program standards and expectations” just prior to the Nebraska game.
Since then, details of the reasoning behind the suspension remain unclear, but Holtmann left it open to a game-by-game decision going forward. It now appears as though the two have conducted themselves appropriately enough to now be back in the lineup for the game at Penn State Saturday.
When asked about the status of both in an appearance with the media today, Holtmann was very matter-of-fact.
“Yeah, they’re expected to play,” Holtmann told reporters.
When pressed on what they accomplished that allowed them to be reinstated, Holmann said he believed the one-game suspension was always going to be the case.
“You know, it was always in my mind probably going to be a one-game suspension, and I just kind of wanted to think through it a little bit more to be honest with you,” said Holtmann. “You know have a little bit of additional conversation. That was always my intent.”
The Ohio State team played well without them against Nebraska in an 80-68 score that wasn’t even as close as that would appear. However, with the Buckeyes faced with going on the road against a quality Penn State team that will be looking for revenge, they could use both guards available and at the top of their game.
The game against the Nittany Lions is set to tip-off at Noon Saturday.
