It didn't take long for Ohio State to get to the meat of its nonconference slate. The No. 7 Buckeyes host No. 4 South Carolina Monday night at 6 p.m. in a rematch of last year's heavyweight matchup.
Last Time
When No. 2 South Carolina hosted Ohio State last year, the Gamecocks came away with a 88-80 victory over a young and undersized Buckeye team.
Ohio State played them close; the game was tied at 78 with just over two minutes to play, but South Carolina pulled away thanks to stellar defense.
Size and foul trouble was the difference in the game. South Carolina outrebounded the Buckeyes 51-42 and Ohio State was whistled for 29 fouls and battled foul trouble most of the game.
Scouting South Carolina
The Gamecocks lost just two games last season, advancing to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. South Carolina lost only to No. 1 UConn and Syracuse, both of which reached the Final Four.
South Carolina is led by National Player of the Year candidate A'ja Wilson. The junior guard averaged 16.1 points and 8.7 rebounds last season and wrecked havoc on the Buckeyes in their matchup, scoring 20 points including 12 in the final six minutes.
The Gamecocks added even more talent this season with Allisha Gray (North Carolina) and Kaela Davis (Georgia Tech). Gray led the Tar Heels in scoring in 2014-15 and Davis led the ACC in scoring that same season.
Monday's game will be South Carolina's season opener, but the Gamecocks decimated Benedict 120-49 in their lone exhibition game.
SCouting Ohio STate
Last season, Ohio State finished the season 26-8 reaching its first NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 since 2011.
This season, Ohio State returns three starters including leading scorer and National Player of the Year candidate Kelsey Mitchell. The Buckeyes also added six new players – three transfers and three freshman. All are former McDonald's All-Americans.
Transfer forward Stephanie Mavunga from North Carolina gives the Buckeyes a post presence they've lacked in previous season and should help the team where it got dominated last season against the Gamecocks.
The team's other new starter is Sierra Calhoun, a transfer guard from Duke. Calhoun is tasked with replacing Ameryst Alson and she's done a nice job thus far, scoring 13 points in the season opener.
In the team's season opener on Friday, Ohio State downed Duquesne 89-69.
How to Watch
The game will take place at 6 p.m. in Value City Arena before the men's team plays its home-opener at 9 p.m. The matchup will be televised on BTN Plus.
