Saturday, February 8, 2025, the Ohio State Women’s Basketball team will face another top-ten-ranked opponent, #7 University of South California, USC. Their previous match against the top-ranked team resulted in a loss, but they are eager to make a comeback.

Under the leadership of Head Coach Kevin McGuff, who has been with the team since the 2013-2014 season, they have claimed the top position in the conference twice and have shared first place on two additional occasions. The team has experienced success alongside some challenging losses against top ten and even top 25 teams throughout regular and post-season play.

What often goes unrecognized is how Head Coach Kevin McGuff has raised the team’s profile to compete both in the conference and on a national level since he took charge of the program.

In the post-season, the team has reached the Sweet Sixteen four times and came close to making it to their first Final Four since 1993, just one game shy. This reflects their past success and their potential for further growth. With Coach McGuff’s dedication and the team’s commitment, they have a strong chance of succeeding in the post-season beyond just a few games, giving us all hope for their bright future.

Nevertheless, despite their accomplishments, questions remain about why a championship has not yet been achieved. Athletes are generally attracted to programs with a successful history, a distinguished coach like McGuff, and a consistent track record of developing top talent to help them prepare for professional careers.

For example, UConn has produced more elite Women’s National Basketball Association players than any other program over the last two decades. Names such as Sue Bird, Rebecca Lobo, Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi, Tina Charles, and Breanna Stewart are known even to those who do not closely follow women’s college basketball.

I would like to see more of the country’s top recruiting classes consider Ohio State, as the program strongly emphasizes academic success to assist players in achieving their educational goals. The team features excellent facilities, including the state-of-the-art Value City Arena, which provides a fantastic environment for players to refine their skills. Coach McGuff’s history of developing players like Kelsey Mitchell and Jacy Sheldon reflects the team’s commitment to the overall growth of its athletes, reassuring us all about the players’ well-rounded development. Long before McGuff’s time, Katie Smith, who excelled in the WNBA for numerous years, played at OSU and led the team to its sole Final Four appearance in 1993.

Currently, Katie Smith serves as the assistant head coach for the team and has significantly contributed to their impressive 20-2 overall record. As time passes, potential recruits will notice that the team has arranged matches against well-known, nationally recognized opponents, such as UConn, UCLA, Stanford, and Maryland. This presents a valuable opportunity for recruits to display their skills against some of the best players in the country, which will benefit the program.

It’s also worth mentioning that Central Ohio experiences milder winters compared to states like New York or Minnesota. Additionally, Ohio State’s football program ranks among the best in the nation, attracting top female high school prospects looking for a strong overall athletic department rather than specializing in just one sport. Central Ohio offers abundant cultural, entertainment, and educational opportunities, which make it appealing to young individuals. The nightlife and weekend activities in the Short North cater to many young college students.

Despite the challenging addition of UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington to the conference this season, the Buckeyes have shown impressive resilience. With a 9-2 record, they are demonstrating their strength against tough competition. Their first defeat against Penn State on January 19 came with a score of 62-52, but they rallied back with four consecutive victories before facing another loss against top-ranked UCLA. Their capability to recover from setbacks highlights their determination and resilience, inspiring us all with their never-give-up spirit.

Players like Cotie McMahon, who consistently achieves double-digit scores, have reached a career total of 1,300 points. Elsa Lemmila has recorded at least one block in 17 games this season, contributing to the team’s overall tally of 38 blocks. Chance Gray celebrated her 1,000th point during the game against UCLA, where the Buckeyes forced the top team in the nation to commit 23 turnovers. This marked the season’s 20th game, in which the team limited their opponent to under 70 points. Furthermore, it was the 17th game in which the team recorded more than 10 steals, including 15 against UCLA.

Tonight’s exciting match-up against USC will feature their star player, Juju Watkins, who has been recognized as one of the leading players in the country for the past two years and is a five-star recruit. She has collected nearly every prestigious national award available. Ohio State will strive to maintain her performance this evening, but it should not underestimate her talent.

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