In the rest of the Ohio State rivalry game against the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday, the Ohio State women’s basketball team takes the field. Finally answering the popular and now outdated rallying cry “We want Bama”, in a way. The Scarlet & Gray host a team from Alabama at the Schottenstein Center – the University of North Alabama.
Who is North Alabama? Will the Buckeyes be full for Wednesday’s trip to Louisville? Can Ohio State score 100 points in two straight games?
Insight
It feels like forever since the Buckeyes played in a truly meaningful basketball quarter, about 15 straight quarters where Ohio State has been in control against four different opponents.
Since the first quarter against Boston College on Nov. 13, head coach Kevin McGuff’s team has outscored their opponents 355-199. Of the four teams, three were from teams outside a Power Five conference like Ohio University of the MAC or McNeese State of the Southland Conference.
Sunday is the last game against another smaller conference opponent before Wednesday’s ACC/B1G Challenge and the start of conference games on Sunday, Dec. 4 against Rutgers University.
Even though the games weren’t too difficult for the Buckeyes, that doesn’t mean there wasn’t value in the 40-minute business. Sunday provides another opportunity for deep players to find their playing legs and help Ohio State prepare for a Big Ten season with a target on their backs.
Part of that group is forward Eboni Walker and guard Hevynne Bristow. Walker is part of a forward group that has talent in starters Taylor Thierry, Cotie McMahon and Rebeka Mikulášiková, but lacks depth beyond the starting five. The Syracuse transfer Walker has played well over the past two games and will likely receive plenty of minutes to continue on that trajectory.
In Bristow’s case, the main guard normally played behind the Buckeyes’ star guard group of four in Jacy Sheldon, Taylor Mikesell, Madison Greene and Rikki Harris. However, prior to Wednesday morning’s win over Wright State, Sheldon and alternate Emma Shumate each missed the game with a lower leg injury and an undisclosed injury respectively.
Bristow played more like a forward in the minutes she saw the field, grabbing 13 rebounds and 18 points in the Buckeyes’ last two home games. After missing much of last season through injury, Bristow looks hungry on the pitch and pleads for more minutes as the season progresses. Sunday is another good occasion.
North Alabama (3-2) comes to Central Ohio to wrap up the holiday long weekend. Part of the ASUN Conference, home of defending champions Florida Golf Coast University, the Lions have maintained a quieter non-conference schedule. Outside of a 77-40 loss to SEC Mississippi State, North Alabama kept him at smaller Southeast schools.
Voted by ASUN media to finish sixth in the conference this year, they shouldn’t give the Buckeyes much trouble, with one exception. Full-back/forward Skyler Gill stands out on the Lions roster.
Only as a sophomore, Gill has already racked up the honors at the start of his sophomore season. In Gill’s freshman year, the 5-foot-11 athlete won ASUN Freshman of the Year and Defender of the Year. Gill has averaged 9.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game and so far this year Gill is playing better. In five starts, Gill increased his shooting average to 12.4 points per game and kept his rebounding and blocking just below last year’s averages.
The Buckeyes face a challenge in Gill, who puts himself in good positions to make defensive and offensive plays. His awareness of grabbing blocks and rebounding will thwart an Ohio State team that needs improvement to grab the boards.
Projected starters
ohio state
| P | Last name |
|---|---|
| P | Last name |
| g | madison greene |
| g | Taylor Mikesell |
| g | Taylor-Thierry |
| F | Cotie McMahon |
| F | Rebeka Mikulasikova |
Composition Notes
- Guard Greene could make his second straight
- Mikesell leads the team in scoring this season, averaging 16.8 points per game
- Thierry’s 69.4% field goal percentage leads the team, with the striker consistently making lay-up attempts and shooting inside the paint
North Alabama
| P | Last name |
|---|---|
| P | Last name |
| g | Hina Suzuki |
| g | Jade Moore |
| g | Alexis Callin |
| F | Skyler Gill |
| F | Cameron Jones |
Composition Notes
- Freshman guard Alyssa Clutter started four games before missing the Lions’ final game
- Guard Jade Moore is someone to watch closely, taking 47 attempts in her five games played
- Guard Hina Suzuki is second in ASUN in assists, averaging 6.3 per game
Prediction
For the fourth time in a row, and the third time in a row at home, Scarlet & Gray should have no trouble coming away with a win. The only way a mistake could happen is if the eyes are already thinking of Wednesday’s game against the No. 10 Louisville Cardinals.
Expect Greene to have a big game starting at point guard, assuming Sheldon doesn’t start again. Even if she’s available to play, starting Greene could be a smart move, giving Sheldon more rest ahead of the ACC/B1G challenge.
Whichever way you cut it, the Buckeyes should pull off a big margin of victory and retain their place as the best team in the country.
How to watch
Date: Sunday, November 27, 2022
Time: 1:00 afternoon ET
Where: Schottenstein Center – Columbus, Ohio
Flow: B1G+
LGHL Prediction: 97-52 Ohio State Buckeyes
The ACC/B1G challenge is looming
As the football season draws to a close, the basketball season kicks into high gear after Sunday’s game. There are 14 games between Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, with Ohio State and Louisville starting things on Nov. 30.
Then on Sunday begins the conference program with a trip to Rutgers.
