The No. 5 Ohio State women's basketball team opens its season at home in historic St. John Arena against No. 10 Stanford on Friday night.
Coming off a 28-7 season where they won their first Big Ten title since 2011 and reached the Sweet 16 for the second-straight time for the first time since in over 25 years, the Buckeyes enter the 2017-18 season with Final Four hopes.
Ohio State boasts a roster full of eight upperclassmen, led by one of the most prolific scorers in the nation in Kelsey Mitchell as well as just the third player in school history to average a double-double as a Buckeye in Stephanie Mavunga.
The team's first test is perennial powerhouse Stanford. Last season, the Cardinal made its 13th trip to the Final Four, and seventh in the past 10 seasons. They're led by Brittany McPhee, the team's leading scorer who averaged 13.3 points per game last season.
The game will take place at 6 p.m. in St. John Arena. BTN will provide television coverage.
Here are some storylines ahead of the heavyweight battle.
Another Big One
Ohio State likes to play a loaded non-conference schedule.
The past two seasons, the Buckeyes have played seven non-conference games against top-10 opponents – six of which were against top-five opponents. This season is no different, with back-to-back games against top-10 opponents to start the season.
Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff said he likes to play a brutal non-conference schedule because regardless of the outcome, it teaches him about his team – its strengths and weaknesses.
“We’re going to find out something," McGuff said. "We’re going to find out where we’re at one way or another. They have a great team – one of the best in the country. We aspire to beat those type of teams, so we’re going to find out where we’re at tomorrow night.”
McGuff and his players have always maintained that the final score of these early-season big games is ultimately not that important – it's just another step towards being the best you can be by tournament time.
But still, you play to win, and the Buckeyes haven't had much success to start the season, losing six of seven top-10 non-conference match ups the past two seasons. Kelsey Mitchell is ready to buck that trend.
"History being written, we never come out and win those big time games," Mitchell said. "But I think I’ve prepared myself, I think my teammates have prepared themselves, individually and as a program.
"I’m not going to sit here and say that we’re not prepared and we can’t win this game.”
VanDerveer's Return
Tara VanDerveer will make her return to Columbus on Friday night.
Stanford’s Hall of Fame coach, who's won over 1,000 games in her career, began her coaching career at Ohio State, leading the Buckeyes from 1981-85. She guided Ohio State to a 110-37, and won three-straight Big Ten titles in 1983-85, boasting a 50-4 record over those three years.
“Tara VanDerveer is certainly one of the greatest coaches to ever be a part of women’s basketball," Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said. "I coached against her in the Pac-12, and she’s really had it going at Stanford and they’ve not missed a beat. They were in the Final Four last year and obviously everybody knows she coached at Ohio State prior to Stanford, so it’s a really cool situation to have her come back here and have her former players support her in this game."
The Buckeyes will certainly give her a warm welcome, but when it comes down to it, she's the opponent now.
"We’re playing to win, but I am excited that we get a chance to honor Tara and all that she’s done for Ohio State and for the sport of women’s basketball,” McGuff said.
St. John Arena
There's a basketball court in St. John Arena.
With the men and women's teams both opening the season at home on the same night, the Ohio State women's hoops team will play in Historic St. John Arena instead of its typical home in the Schott.
This isn't atypical for the Buckeyes, as the team has played in the historic arena four times in the past two seasons, including two NCAA Tournament wins.
“When you come here, it’s kind of our home away from home," Kelsey Mitchell said.
Unlike the Schott, St. John Arena is tight, intimate, full of history and most importantly, quite loud. Even with a small crowd, it gives the Buckeyes quite a home court advantage.
“It’s a great venue," Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said. "This is a basketball arena. It’s a really cool place and there’s a lot of history. I think our fans like it and I know we’ll have a great crowd tomorrow and it’ll be loud. It’ll be fun.”
For McGuff in particular, St. John is a special place. It's where he won a state title as a high schooler – and he was sure to let the media know about it.
"I won a state championship here in 1988 – just so you know," McGuff said with a laugh. "I played well. We beat Tuscarawas Valley to win a state championship in 1988, so this building means a lot to me. I don’t know about our players, but for me, I like playing here."
Mitchell's Last Ride
Buckeye fans have just one more year to watch Kelsey Mitchell play basketball.
Mitchell will undoubtably go down as one of, if not the best player in Ohio State women's basketball history. Already owning more than a few school and conference records, Mitchell is on pace to break a few more Ohio State and Big Ten records, including the all-time scoring records.
“She’s an unbelievable player," Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said. "It’s great to see her get the recognition she truly deserves. There’s not a person in college basketball that working harder than she is and those results have been shown on the court. She’s a great kid, great leader and unbelievable work ethic.”
Mitchell said she's not thinking too much about it being her final season, and instead just wants to enjoy the ride.
"It’s just basketball," Mitchell said. "I’ve been so hard on myself, I’ve been so hard on my team and I’ve just forgotten that it’s just basketball. So this senior year I just want it to be one of those things where I take it, learn from it and just play and have fun. I’m looking forward to it.”
