A lot of deserved attention has gone to Big Ten newcomers UCLA and USC this season. But league stalwart Ohio State is looking like one of the best teams in the country.
The Buckeyes join UCLA, USC and Maryland in the top 10 of ESPN’s women’s college basketball Power Rankings this week at No. 9. Ohio State has its highest ranking so far this season and is one of three unbeaten teams left, along with UCLA and LSU.
The Buckeyes’ biggest tests are still ahead: They’ve yet to face the Bruins, Trojans or Terps. They will play Maryland twice (Jan. 23 and March 2), and travel to Los Angeles for their UCLA and USC matchups Feb. 5-8. Ohio State has defeated just two ranked teams, neither of which are in this week’s Top 25 poll.
Still, Ohio State is 16-0 overall and 5-0 in the league. The Buckeyes have won or shared the Big Ten regular-season title 17 times and hope to be in the mix again this season.
Ohio State is doing it with some familiar names for Buckeyes fans: junior forward Cotie McMahon (team-high 16.4 PPG),…
