The 2021/22 season is big for the Ohio State Buckeyes. For the first time since the spring of 2020, Ohio State is eligible for postseason play. No longer is the COVID-19 pandemic or self-imposed ban keeping them from their goal of competing in the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately, even with an early undefeated season, Ohio State’s fall from 17th to 21st can come back to hurt the Buckeyes.
Monday, Ohio State fell four spots in the week 2 AP poll. Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Indiana, Maryland and Iowa each moved up. Indiana jumped four spots after an impressive win against then 19thranked Kentucky, 88-67.
Ohio State’s 23-point and 38-point victories are important. Unfortunately, getting them from Bucknell and Norfolk State doesn’t catch voter’s attention. Both Maryland and Iowa share similar wide margins of victory to the Buckeyes, and stature of opponents. To their credit, each have played one more game than Ohio State.
Looking ahead, in the Buckeye’s next give games there isn’t a ranked opponent. Their biggest early season test comes December 1, in a trip to Syracuse. The ACC side faced issues this offseason; most importantly losing former head coach Quentin Hillsman due to bullying and harassment allegations. However, Syracuse still features higher caliber of players than the Buckeyes are used to in the 2021/22 season.
Schedule Positives
Playing a lighter non-conference schedule isn’t necessarily a bad thing though. After all, Ohio State is bringing a new roster together. In the offseason, Ohio State lost two senior starting forwards. Aaliyah Patty transferred to Texas A&M and Dorka Juhasz to the University of Connecticut. To make matters worse, junior point guard Madison Greene injured her knee before the first game of the season. Greene will miss the entire season due to surgery.
An unstacked non-conference schedule allows new shooting guard transfer Taylor Mikesell time to learn the system. The former Maryland and Oregon sharpshooter gives a senior presence to the position. Also, Mikesell provides a dangerous option from beyond the arc.
At point guard is junior Jacy Sheldon and sophomore Kateri Poole. Both get time to adjust to Greene’s absence in a guard-by-committee plan from head coach Kevin McGuff.
No Margin for Error
For the positives it brings, there’s one big issue. It doesn’t leave margin for error once the Big Ten conference schedule begins. Starting December 12, Ohio State faces 4th ranked Indiana. Then the Buckeyes take a trip west to take on 20thranked UCLA on December 19. To end December, there’s a New Year’s matchup against rival Michigan, ranked 13th.
Going into 2022 with losses in these games, and no top-25 ranking, adds pressure. The further away Ohio State is from the poll, the longer the distance from a spot the NCAA Tournament. Without an at-large bid into the tournament, the more dire the Big Ten tournament becomes.
Losing against top ranked opponents isn’t the end of the world. However, playing against teams from smaller conferences also doesn’t prepare for a bout against an Indiana, Maryland or Michigan. That December 12 visit from Indiana will tell a lot about how their early schedule has prepared Ohio State.
Ultimately, the coaching staff isn’t likely looking at rankings. In the vacuum of practice and game prep, the goal is being ready for whoever comes next. Fortunately, Ohio State has the ability to run their early non-conference schedule table.
There’s one thing that’s for certain, they’ll have to make the best of each game to stay in the top 25.
Once Big Ten teams show up, Ohio State’s fall could be an early season blip on the radar if wins start rolling in. Taking down top ranked teams is the easiest way to regain stature in the polls.
The Buckeyes have plenty of time to show that their postseason eligibility won’t go to waste.
Follow Beyond Women’s Sports all season for more coverage of Ohio State basketball. Thomas Costello is on Twitter too. Follow him @1ThomasCostello.
