I agree that McGuff has done a poor job with talented players. But all of the transfers you mention, as well as the 2016 recruits all signed up to come to tOSU before Mitchell had played a single game during her sophomore year.
We can disagree on this, but the die wasn't cast yet imo. Mitchell was considered a freshman phenom. McGuff was building a powerhouse around her. Once all that talent got to Columbus, the situation was much different. The next two years, McGuff brought in one player, Janai Crooms, ranked 62nd in her class.
I don't know if you watched tOSU's 2nd round game vs Central MI last year in Columbus. I did, and what I saw was C MI blow open a close game as the Buckeyes quit in the 2nd half. To her credit, Mitchell played hard the whole game, but her teammates threw in the towel. There are several ways to interpret that performance, but it seemed obvious to me that tOSU was not a team, but a collection of individuals who were ready for the season to be over.
Curious about your comments since they seem to conflict. I agree in part - ONO needs playing time and I love Kyla's commitment to play to best of her ability. Unfortunately, one will likely not happen unless the other sits more. Have to disagree on Kyla always being in position. At times her lack of athleticism allows bigger or faster players to make plays Kyla cant even get to. ONO looked awkward at times, but with her height and wingspan likely has at least a 6 inch advantage in reach. That can make up for a lot of inexperience.Just got a chance to see the replay. What really pops out is our difficulties rebounding. If I am ONO, I figure out how to get on the floor. The opportunities are glaring and we need her to have some impact
I got to admit, I really like seeing Kyla play. If only she had some real athleticism (or a few more inches) but she is always in position. Geno desperately wants to give her more playing time.
Yikes in terms of Ohio's immediate future.OK, here's the data for tOSU recruits from Hoopgurlz top 100 over the past 4 years:
I stated that the situation at tOSU with Mitchell and her father affected both recruits as well as existing players (transfers), and I continue to stand by that assessment.
- 2015 - 0 top 100 recruits
- 2016 - McCoy (16), Lewis (24) & Caretti (31) - Only Caretti is still a Buckeye
- 2017 - 0 top 100 recruits
- 2018 - Crooms (62)
If you're going to present alternative facts, I suggest you present relevant ones.
I never suggested they were scared off, but you are really missing my point. The environment that McGuff allowed to exist at tOSU didn't fully take hold Mitchell's first year. It's not that players were afraid of Mitchell. It was simply that players did not want to play with her once they understood the system, or lack thereof, that McGuff was running.So let me get this straight: players were scared off going to Ohio St because of Mitchell. But not after seeing her 1 year, only those who saw her for 2 years. lol
Saw multiple comments regarding Camera's play. While she wasn't in long enough to draw much of a conclusion, I was happy to see several plays where guards tried to use their quickness to drive and she had enough foot speed to stop their progress. In the few cases she got the opportunity to box out, no one was able to get to basket. I'd rate her performance as "incomplete" but saw some areas where UConn needs help to build on.Agree ...lack of rebounding, interior defense, and guard penetration were alarming. Camarra and Ono’s lack of performance was really a disappointment. Ohio state is not a very good team, missed a boatload of bunnies and turned the ball over a lot.
I appreciate your comments. Of course I wasn't at the game. Watching it at home, I did not see a very strong defensive effort by the Buckeyes. Now that might not be saying much, because MCGuff's teams at tOSU have been characterized by inconsistent defense. But I would have thought that facing a determined C MI team at home in Columbus, in the NCAA tournament, tOSU would have played much harder, or maybe just a little smarter.In regards to the C Mi game, I was in attendance and to say all the players gave up is incorrect. Linnae Harper still played hard and determined and was working to encourage her teammates and Mavunga finished with 15 rebounds and 16 points, scoring zero in the second quarter. McGuff just had no defensive answers for C. Michigan's 3 point scoring efficiency, which the 14 made was their season high. Ohio State scored more points in the 3rd quarter than they did in the entire first half and their fourth quarter was their highest scoring quarter of the game, with 32.
I think C. Michigan's defense made the Ohio State offense uncomfortable in the second quarter and it rattled them, but by then they were too far down and had no defensive plan to get them back in the game after halftime. C. Michigan was also 25-27 from the FT line while OSU was 9-14 from the FT. Mitchell only got to the line once, which is where she makes most of her points. So C. Mi, studied and followed scouting report well. If anything, I think players were frustrated with the way things were going, but weren't ready for their seasons (and some careers) to be over.
Anyone else find it funny Geno put Katie Lou back in halfway through the 4th quarter to get her some extra stats? Her stat line was very average before he got her those extra 5 points before pulling her again.
Curious about your comments since they seem to conflict. I agree in part - ONO needs playing time and I love Kyla's commitment to play to best of her ability. Unfortunately, one will likely not happen unless the other sits more. Have to disagree on Kyla always being in position. At times her lack of athleticism allows bigger or faster players to make plays Kyla cant even get to. ONO looked awkward at times, but with her height and wingspan likely has at least a 6 inch advantage in reach. That can make up for a lot of inexperience.
I think she came back in because Danger was bleeding from a shot to the nose. Geno wanted a mature player out there to help manage the bench players. She did increase her points, but I doubt that was coach's reason for putting her back in the game. IMO.Anyone else find it funny Geno put Katie Lou back in halfway through the 4th quarter to get her some extra stats? Her stat line was very average before he got her those extra 5 points before pulling her again.

I appreciate your comments. Of course I wasn't at the game. Watching it at home, I did not see a very strong defensive effort by the Buckeyes. Now that might not be saying much, because MCGuff's teams at tOSU have been characterized by inconsistent defense. But I would have thought that facing a determined C MI team at home in Columbus, in the NCAA tournament, tOSU would have played much harder, or maybe just a little smarter.
Given your comments about McGuff's challenges coaching defense and offense, along with his recent difficulties bringing in top recruits, is it time for tOSU to make a change in your opinion?I think your perspective on things from an at home viewer are probably correct from the lack of defensive intensity and what not for a team that is hosting an NCAA tourney game. It was more frustrating as a fan because the C. Mich. fans were loud and engaged the whole game. They almost drowned out an OSU fan presence that may have popped up. But I still think majority of that lose goes on McGuff's inability to teach strong team defense. He also lacks creativity in offensive schemes so it's easy for other team defenses to stifle things unless Mitchell or any other player just went "rogue" and created on their own. It was a very disheartening way to see those seniors go out, considering the high expectations and Columbus being the host for the Final Four, not that I expected that to be their final destination haha.
Given your comments about McGuff's challenges coaching defense and offense, along with his recent difficulties bringing in top recruits, is it time for tOSU to make a change in your opinion?
Hope springs eternal. McGuff's got 3 top 50 recruits committed, and if by some miracle he steals Aliyah Boston from UConn or ND, tOSU might just have the top recruiting class in the nation.Everyone I talk to when at the games agrees it's his time to go. I, however, believe he will be safe this season regardless of results since expectations are so low. He got lucky last year that Maryland slipped up at the end of the season and gave OSU the Big Ten title. The guy who sits next to me, had printed out old newspaper articles about incoming recruits for NEXT season and started reading that during the Detroit Mercy game because "I can't drink like you can so this is how I can escape." There is a lot of unrest with the fans at OSU currently, no one has faith in him leading this program. I wish we could drop him and see if Megan Duffy from Miami would be interested in the gig. BUT they don't listen to me.
Hope springs eternal. McGuff's got 3 top 50 recruits committed, and if by some miracle he steals Aliyah Boston from UConn or ND, tOSU might just have the top recruiting class in the nation.
Excellent point. A shut-down strategy that will force the issue. Problem is; I don't see her outside shot ever becoming a threat. Really hope I am wrong.Had very mixed thoughts on Coombs. On her first two possessions, she dribbled through most of the defense and made great layups. From then on until 4th Q, Ohio St. gave her the outside shot and collapsed on her drives. Often played off the drive and went for the steal on her pass. Not very effective. This was not a good team so if they knew to do this, Top 20 teams will see this video and likely to turn things into 5 on 4 until Coombs takes and hits outside shots.
Just to make your point a bit stronger; if my math is correct, the second half of the game was basically a tie. And we used starters for much of third period.Offense was adequate. Defense (against a much slower team) was mediocre. Rebounding (particularly on the offensive board) was on life support. The bench was a non-factor (and here I am being kind). If any of the starters sustains an injury or gets into foul trouble . . . . well, it has the potential of becoming a very long and unUconn-like season.
But didn't Geno call off the fast break? And most of the 4th quarter it was mostly our reserves against at least four of their starters (I think; could be wrong).Just to make your point a bit stronger; if my math is correct, the second half of the game was basically a tie. And we used starters for much of third period.
BS that was not the intent of your comment and that was not the intent of what Geno was doing but then again that’s what I would expect from a someone as closeI’m not disappointed I just found it odd. As for your “comfort garbage time” he pulled out Collier & her with 3 mins left in the 3rd. The lead was still 25 when she went back in halfway through the 4th. We also had another PG (Bent) in. If you’re upset & defensive at the remark then it’s probably true. I just hope this season we protect Katie Lou from injury and look to limit mins when we can instead of stat hunt for her.

I don't pay much attention to the substitutions on the other side. I don't know any of the OSU players now that what's her name is gone.But didn't Geno call off the fast break? And most of the 4th quarter it was mostly our reserves against at least four of their starters (I think; could be wrong).
Not sure who you think I am (close to who?) or why you think I'm upset. No need to be defensive over a harmless comment. it's a thing of the past at this point. Not sure how many games ago this was but time to move on. I completely forgot about itBS that was not the intent of your comment and that was not the intent of what Geno was doing but then again that’s what I would expect from a someone as close![]()
