When the Associated Press announced the next NCAA Women’s College Basketball poll, the Ohio State Buckeyes missed the cut. With only 47 points in the poll, they came in right after No. 25 Iowa, an in-conference foe. It’s the third week in a row that Ohio State missed a national ranking, but the Buckeyes are excelling in what matters – winning on the court. Those wins point to an evolution in Buckeye’s team chemistry.
Accompanying those improved results, or maybe helping spur them along, is a growing team identity. After all, Ohio State lost starters to injury and the transfer portal coming into the 2021/22 season. It makes sense that it’d take some time to see the real Buckeyes.
Enter the Dub Chain
After a humbling 19-point defeat to rival Michigan on December 31, Ohio State’s won all four games of 2022. In those victories, three came against divisional teams with winning records. After their third win in that span, a six-point victory over Michigan State, a new tradition was born. Guard Rikki Harris won the team’s first “dub chain,” a sparking piece of huge jewelry, featuring the famous Ohio State Block-O logo.
Then, on Saturday, the Buckeyes won again. This time an 83-75 away victory to the Minnesota Golden Gophers. That win was only their fourth on the year in six games. A big piece of the Buckeyes victory was Big Ten Co-Player of the Week Jacy Sheldon. The junior guard scored 32 points on top of seven assists and three steals.
It’s not only the jewelry-clad players that’re featuring in Ohio State’s run. Forward Rebeka Mikulasikova averages 13.3 points and 10.6 rebounds in the last three games. Senior transfer Taylor Mikesell reached a personal best in Scarlet & Gray. Against Illinois, on January 6, Mikesell finished with 32 points. In addition, Mikesell’s first in the Big Ten in three-point percentage (47.76%) and fourth in the NCAA overall.
In addition to individual performances, the Buckeyes are looking for extra passes and finding better shots. Ohio State averages 19 assists in 2022, compared to four less per game from the start of the 2021 season. In their last two games, Ohio State’s hit over 50% of their shots. Against Michigan State, the Buckeyes had their second highest of the season shooting 57.4%.
Maryland is Up Next
Ohio State looks prepared for a big win, and they don’t have to wait very long. On Thursday, the Buckeyes welcome No. 12 Maryland to Value City Arena. The Maryland Terrapins are coming into Columbus motivated too. On Sunday, Maryland lost to No. 8 Michigan by 20 points, in a 69-49 defeat. The best teams bounce back after a tough loss, which means it’s two teams coming in on very different terms.
Also, Thursday will be a homecoming of sorts. Mikesell is an Ohio-native, but left the Buckeye State after high school to play at Maryland. Thursday is the first time Mikesell’s played against her first college team.
Good news is that there’s still 10 conference games after Thursday. A victory for Ohio State will push a team that’s so far stumbled in their biggest games. Potentially pushing them into a second half of the season momentum swing that pushes the Buckeyes into the NCAA tournament.
Thursday’s game tips off at 6:00 p.m. ET, at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Follow Beyond Women’s Sports for live coverage from the game. BWS’ coverage includes post-game reaction from Ohio State players and head coach Kevin McGuff.
For more from the world of NCAA basketball, follow Beyond Women’s Sports. Also, follow Thomas Costello on Twitter @1ThomasCostello.
