Ohio State at #8 ? Not today...

[Blueconn]

Lead by 1 at half-time against FGCU-a team without a single player over 5"11". McGuff more or less just watching his players do whatever they feel like on offense, play meaningless defense, and display no kind of urgency at either end of the floor.

The place is pretty empty and it is 1 day after pumpkin pie and they may stomp Gulf Coast in the second half...but they certainly don't look like the eighth best team in the country. By a long shot. UConn could shoot 30% against either of these teams and be leading by 20+.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Thanks for the report. I like our chances against them.

 

[JordyG]

FGCU is well coached on offense. They space well, they move well, they play with pace and they share the ball. However from the field they're average shooters. Facing a talented and highly touted OSU they showed how little discipline OSU has on offense and defense. They looked a mess. I can't say for certain, but McGuff seems a better buddy and pal with his charges than a strong willed leader and coach. Honestly, how can any team at any level expect to win a championship with this type of poorly schemed offense compounded by a lack of defense.

 

[Tidepool]

Here's the NCAA's recap:

An impressive defensive effort lifted No. 8 Ohio State past Florida Gulf Coast in round one of the Gulf Coast Showcase. The Buckeyes outscored the Eagles 25-18 in the fourth quarter to earn the win (79-66).

Player of the Game

• Ohio State’s Kelsey Mitchell led all scorers with 25 points on 9-of-19 shooting. Mitchell connected on four 3-point attempts and was 3-for-4 shooting at the free-throw line. She finished the game with a team-high six assists and grabbed four rebounds.

Key Stats

• Florida Gulf Coast shot 29.9 percent from the field.
• Ohio State outrebounded Florida Gulf Coast 52-31.
• Stephanie Mavunga notched a season-high four blocks for the Buckeyes.
• Taylor Gradinjan and Nasrin Ulel led the Eagles in scoring with 13 points apiece.
• Ohio State’s Shayla Cooper registered her 17th career double-double with 16 points and 14 boards.
• The Eagles limited the Buckeyes to 26.3 percent shooting from 3-point range.
• Florida Gulf Coast’s China Dow dished out a team-high six assists.