Ohio State Women’s Basketball Is Hitting Its Stride - And They’re Just Getting Started
The Ohio State women’s basketball team is quietly building something special in Columbus - and they're doing it with a mix of youth, grit, and a whole lot of speed. Sitting at 9-1 on the season, the Buckeyes have rattled off seven straight wins since their lone stumble against top-ranked UConn. But it’s not just the wins - it’s how they’re winning that’s turning heads.
After that early-season loss, Ohio State came back swinging. They set a program record with 27 steals in a single game and followed it up with the most lopsided victory in school history - a jaw-dropping 130-32 rout of Niagara.
That’s not just bouncing back. That’s making a statement.
This is a young squad, with only two seniors on the roster, but they’re growing fast - and playing like they’ve been here before. One of those veterans is senior guard Chance Gray, who’s stepped up as both a leader and a key contributor in her second year as a starter. She pointed to the team’s trip to the Bahamas - where they picked up impressive wins over Belmont and West Virginia in the Baha Mar Hoops Championship - as a turning point.
“I think we get better each game,” Gray said. “We took a big step in the Bahamas, and now it’s about making sure we keep improving - whether that’s showing up to practice and going all out or putting together a full 40 minutes on game day. That’s what Coach McGuff keeps preaching: not just playing well for two or three quarters, but going hard for all four.”
And the numbers back it up. The Buckeyes are averaging 87.3 points per game, but make no mistake - their identity starts on the defensive end.
This team leans into a press-heavy style that’s relentless and disruptive. They currently lead the Big Ten in steals, averaging nearly 15 per game, and that pressure starts the moment the ball is inbounded.
Gray emphasized that defense is the focus right now, especially given the team's size and style of play.
“We’ve got to be one of the best defending teams in the country,” she said. “Because of our size, we have to play fast, get downhill - but it all starts with defense. That’s what sets the tone.”
The Buckeyes already have a Big Ten win under their belt - a solid early victory over Northwestern - but things are about to ramp up. Conference play officially kicks off at the end of the month, and they’ll be thrown straight into the fire with a matchup against No. 4 UCLA on December 28.
Before that, though, they’ve got one more non-conference test: Norfolk State comes to town Thursday night. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m., and it’s one more chance for Ohio State to fine-tune before the real grind begins.
This team may be young, but they’re playing with the urgency and cohesion of a group that knows exactly what’s at stake. If their current trajectory holds, the Buckeyes won’t just be a threat in the Big Ten - they’ll be a team no one wants to see come March.