The Ohio State Buckeyes women’s basketball team recently faced a challenging road trip to Los Angeles, culminating in back-to-back losses against top-ranked opponents, UCLA and USC. These defeats have prompted head coach Kevin McGuff to reflect on the team’s performance, areas for improvement, and the path forward as they navigate the remainder of the season.
A Tough Stretch in Los Angeles
The Buckeyes, ranked No. 8 nationally, entered the Los Angeles trip with a strong 20-1 record, eager to test themselves against elite competition. However, the road proved arduous. On February 5, Ohio State faced No. 1 UCLA and struggled offensively, ultimately falling 65-52. The team’s defense was commendable, but the offense couldn’t keep pace, leading to a closely contested game that slipped away in the final moments.
Just days later, on February 8, the Buckeyes took on No. 7 USC. Despite a promising start, Ohio State couldn’t maintain momentum, succumbing to an 84-63 defeat. The Trojans capitalized on key runs, and the Buckeyes struggled to respond effectively.
Coach McGuff’s Perspective
In the aftermath of these challenging games, Coach McGuff provided candid insights into the team’s performance and the lessons learned. He acknowledged the difficulties faced but emphasized the importance of growth and resilience.
“We knew this road trip would be a significant test for us,” McGuff stated. “Facing top-tier teams like UCLA and USC on their home turf is never easy. While the outcomes were not what we hoped for, these experiences are invaluable for our development.”
McGuff highlighted specific areas where the team fell short, particularly in offensive execution and maintaining defensive intensity throughout the game. He noted that while the defense held strong in stretches, lapses allowed opponents to gain momentum, which proved costly.
“Our defense has been a cornerstone of our success, but we had moments where we didn’t execute our game plan as effectively as we needed to,” McGuff explained. “Offensively, we struggled to find our rhythm, and against teams of this caliber, those struggles are magnified.”
Player Reflections
Junior forward Cotie McMahon, a key player for the Buckeyes, also shared her thoughts on the road trip. Known for her candidness and competitive spirit, McMahon didn’t shy away from acknowledging the team’s shortcomings.
“For me, it’s kind of personal. I was in a slump when we played UCLA,” McMahon admitted. “My outside shot was not developed at all, so I was really struggling, honestly. So I’m really excited to kind of just have another chance at that, and then USC as a team we just did not play good.”
McMahon’s honesty reflects a broader sentiment within the team—a recognition of the need for improvement and a commitment to addressing weaknesses.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setbacks, Coach McGuff remains optimistic about the team’s trajectory. He views these challenges as opportunities for growth and believes they can serve as a catalyst for the Buckeyes to elevate their play.
“Every game is a learning experience, especially against high-caliber opponents,” McGuff said. “We have to take these lessons to heart, work on our deficiencies, and come back stronger. The season is a journey, and this is just one part of it.”
The coach emphasized the importance of resilience and adaptability, qualities he believes are essential for the team’s success moving forward.
“Basketball is a game of adjustments,” McGuff noted. “How we respond to adversity defines us. I have confidence in our team’s character and our ability to bounce back.”
Building on the Season’s Successes
Prior to the Los Angeles trip, the Buckeyes had demonstrated impressive form, boasting a 20-1 record and showcasing a balanced attack on both ends of the floor. The team’s depth has been a significant asset, with multiple players stepping up in crucial moments.
McGuff has previously highlighted the team’s depth and the infusion of new talent as key factors in their strong performance this season. “With so many new people in our program, we have not reached anywhere near where we could be, but we have to stay focused on getting better,” McGuff stated earlier in the season.
This perspective underscores the coach’s long-term vision and his commitment to continuous improvement.
The Road Ahead
As the Buckeyes move past the Los Angeles road trip, their focus shifts to the remaining regular-season games and preparation for the postseason. The team aims to leverage the lessons learned from their recent challenges to fortify their strategies and execution.
Coach McGuff and his staff are likely to emphasize several key areas in the coming weeks:
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Offensive Consistency: Enhancing ball movement, shot selection, and scoring efficiency to ensure the team can keep pace with high-scoring opponents.
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Defensive Intensity: Maintaining focus and energy on the defensive end for the full duration of games, minimizing lapses that opponents can exploit.
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Mental Resilience: Building the team’s ability to handle adversity, stay composed under pressure, and respond positively to challenges.
The Buckeyes’ upcoming schedule provides opportunities to implement these improvements. Facing a mix of conference rivals and non-conference opponents, Ohio State will look to regain momentum and solidify their standing ahead of the Big Ten Tournament.
A Unified Commitment
Throughout the season, Coach McGuff has emphasized the importance of unity and collective effort. He believes that the team’s success hinges on each player embracing their role and contributing to the group’s objectives.
A Unified Commitment (Continued)
Throughout the season, Coach McGuff has emphasized the importance of unity and collective effort. He believes that the team’s success hinges on each player embracing their role and contributing to the group’s objectives.
“We win as a team, and we lose as a team,” McGuff stated. “It’s not about individual performances, but about how we come together to achieve our goals. Every player has a role to play, and when we are all locked in, we are at our best.”
The team’s chemistry has been one of its greatest strengths this season. Veterans like Jacy Sheldon and Taylor Thierry have provided leadership, while younger players have stepped up in key moments. However, McGuff knows that chemistry alone won’t be enough to push Ohio State to a deep postseason run—they need execution, discipline, and mental toughness.
Addressing the Challenges Moving Forward
The road trip to Los Angeles was a stark reminder that the Buckeyes still have work to do before the NCAA Tournament. While the team has had an impressive season, facing elite opponents has exposed some vulnerabilities. McGuff and his coaching staff are now tasked with making the necessary adjustments to prepare for March Madness.
1. Handling Pressure and Physicality
Both UCLA and USC played a physical brand of basketball, challenging Ohio State’s ability to handle defensive pressure. The Buckeyes struggled at times with turnovers and getting into their offensive sets, something McGuff wants to address immediately.
“When you’re playing teams like UCLA and USC, they don’t give you any easy looks,” McGuff explained. “You have to work for everything. We need to be stronger with the ball and make better decisions under pressure.”
Ohio State’s backcourt, led by Sheldon, has been generally reliable, but against aggressive defenses, the team will need to focus on composure and ball security.
2. Rebounding Battles
Rebounding has been another area of concern, especially against teams with dominant post players. In the loss to UCLA, the Buckeyes were out-rebounded 44-31, which allowed the Bruins to get second-chance opportunities and control the tempo of the game.
“We have to be better on the glass,” McGuff said bluntly. “It’s not just about our post players—it’s about all five players on the floor committing to rebounding. We gave up too many second-chance points, and that hurt us.”
With the Big Ten featuring several strong rebounding teams, McGuff knows the Buckeyes will need to improve in this area if they want to make a deep postseason run.
3. Finding a Reliable Offensive Identity
While Ohio State has multiple scoring threats, there have been stretches where the offense stagnates. Against UCLA, the Buckeyes shot just 38% from the field and struggled from three-point range.
McGuff wants to see better shot selection and more ball movement to create open looks. “We have talented scorers, but we have to trust the offense and not settle for rushed shots,” he noted. “When we move the ball and get everyone involved, we are much more dangerous.”
One adjustment the team might consider is increasing their pace in transition. The Buckeyes have excelled when pushing the tempo, using their athleticism to create easy scoring opportunities before defenses can set up.
The Mental Approach to March
As the Buckeyes regroup, McGuff is placing an emphasis on the team’s mental approach. He wants them to view the losses in Los Angeles as a stepping stone rather than a setback.
“This part of the season is all about mindset,” McGuff said. “Are we going to dwell on these losses, or are we going to use them to get better? I believe in this group, and I know they have the character to respond the right way.”
The players have echoed this sentiment. Sheldon, one of the team’s vocal leaders, has already shifted her focus to the next challenge.
“Losses are tough, but they don’t define us,” she said. “What defines us is how we respond. We’re going to get back in the gym, put in the work, and come back stronger.”
A Season Still Full of Potential
Despite the tough road trip, the Buckeyes are still in an excellent position. They remain a top contender in the Big Ten and are projected as a high seed for the NCAA Tournament. The lessons learned in Los Angeles could ultimately prove to be beneficial as the team prepares for the challenges ahead.
McGuff and his players know that the true test of a championship-caliber team isn’t whether they face adversity—it’s how they respond to it. If Ohio State can take the lessons from these losses and turn them into fuel for improvement, they will be a dangerous team in March.
“This team has heart, and I know they’re going to respond the right way,” McGuff concluded. “We have all the tools to make a deep run—we just have to put it all together.”