'Our good is good enough': 4 keys for Ohio State heading into the NCAA Tournament
Coach Kevin McGuff has been adamant that, when the Buckeyes are at their best, they can matchup against the best in the country. But Ohio State (25-6) has struggled to prove that, dropping games versus the top teams in the Big Ten this season.
Against the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, UCLA, the Buckeyes were defeated twice by an average margin of 21 points. They were also handed a loss by USC, another No. 1 seed, 84-63 in February.
So, the NCAA Tournament marks the last chance for the Buckeyes to meet McGuff's high expectations.
"We had some inevitable highs and lows that every season’s going to have," McGuff said. "The thing that I’ve been really trying to impress upon them is just consistency. I think our good is good enough, but last year we play more consistently towards 40 minutes ... this year, we really haven’t gotten that."
Ohio State is entering the tournament as the No. 4 seed in the Birmingham 3 region, with top-10 teams Texas, TCU and Notre Dame also in the region.
It will be a while before the Buckeyes have to worry about those teams.
As an No. 4 seed, Ohio State has hosting rights for the first and second rounds and is set to face No. 13 seed Montana State on Friday. If the Ohio State advances, its next opponent will be the winner of the game between No. 5 seed Tennessee and No. 12 seed USF.
For the Buckeyes to have the opportunity to improve on their performance last year, when they suffered a second-round elimination at the hands of Duke, they must focus on these four areas:
Cotie McMahon continuing to impact the offense with improved jumper
Since she arrived in Columbus, Ohio State junior Cotie McMahon has been a threat driving to the basket, but she added another layer to her game this offseason with an improved jumper.
"It was very clear what I needed to work on as far as my game," McMahon said. "I built a routine for myself. ... Just staying consistent with getting shots up, I think, has helped me kind of build a routine, not only in my day-by-day, but also just in my shot in general. So, it’s comfortable for me to get shots off."
In 27 games, McMahon has averaged a career-high 16.6 points, marking the first time she's led the Buckeyes in scoring.
McMahon's 3-point shooting has seen the biggest improvement, going from 23% last season to 36% even while she has doubled the average number of shots she takes from beyond the arc (.4 per game compared to 1.1).
"We want the ball in her hands," McGuff said. "She generates good offense, and I think she’s had a good combination of taking good shots or moving the ball of late. So, we want to make sure that the ball touches her hands most possessions."
Keeping Jaloni Cambridge on the court and out of foul trouble
Late in the season, Ohio State's Big Ten Freshman of the Year Jaloni Cambridge fouled out of multiple, close games, including one of the Buckeyes' toughest defeats.
She was unable to play in overtime of the Buckeyes' regular-season finale, a 93-90 loss to Maryland, after fouling out at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
"It’s tough, we need her on the floor," McGuff said. "Sometimes you’re going to get fouls but there’s some she can probably control a little bit more. She plays so hard and tries to have such an impact defensively, sometimes she just gets a little too aggressive with her hands."
The freshman has had a strong impact as the team's starting point guard, averaging 15.4 points and two steals per game.
Having strong defensive performances from the beginning of games
In losses to UCLA and USC, the Buckeyes gave up an average of 18 points in the first quarter.
For a team that prides itself on defense, and specifically on finding transition offense off its press, Ohio State has struggled to get off to a fast start defensively.
"We need to emphasize being aggressive," Ohio State junior Chance Gray said. "I think the days we’re more aggressive in our press, I think it leads to better games and just getting easier buckets in transition. So, I think that’s Ohio State women’s basketball, getting up and pressing the ball. That is a point of emphasis, and it always will be."
Remaining competitive in the rebounding battle
Ohio State has never been known for its rebounding. The last time Ohio State averaged over 40 boards per game was during the 2016-17 season.
The key for Ohio State seems to be recording at least 30 rebounds. Ohio State has won games against ranked teams while losing the rebounding battle this season but grabbed over 30 boards in those contests.
Against UCLA in the loss during the Big Ten Tournament's semifinals, on the other hand, Ohio State was outrebounded by 18 (43-25).
"It’s just grit," Ohio State red shirt sophomore Kennedy Cambridge. "I feel like we just have to want to get the ball. ... It’s us having to put out feet on the ground, run and go grab the ball. And it’s a matter of holding onto the ball and not letting anybody take the ball from us."
The Buckeyes tip off against Montana State in the NCAA Tournament action on Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Value City Arena.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 4 keys for Ohio State women's basketball in the NCAA Tournament
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