Ohio State Named Big Ten's Best Team, Kelsey Mitchell Named Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year

Ohio State has the Big Ten's best team, led by the conference's best player heading into the 2017-18 season.

The Big Ten released its preseason rankings and all-conference team on Monday afternoon, and the Buckeyes were on top of both.

The conference's media and coaches picked Ohio State as the Big Ten's best team and Kelsey Mitchell as the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year. Stephanie Mavunga also joined Mitchell on the preseason All-Big Ten team.

Mitchell has been one of the conference's most prolific players since her debut season with the Buckeyes. Now entering her final season, she's on pace to break a number of school and conference records, including the all-time scoring records. Last season, Mitchell finished the season as the Big Ten Player of the Year after leading the conference in scoring with 23.4 points per game.

A year after winning its first Big Ten Title since the 2009-10 season, Ohio State boasts one of the nation's most veteran rosters. Of the team's nine scholarship players, eight of them are in at least their fourth year of eligibility.

Ohio State begins on-court action on Sunday with an exhibition against Ashland in Columbus.

The Buckeyes have another home exhibition against Urbana next Sunday before beginning the season against perennial powerhouse Stanford in Columbus in historic St. John Arena.

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