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Cotie McMahon's transfer from Ohio State signals red flag of one kind or another
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- Cotie McMahon's transfer from Ohio State signals red flag of one kind or another
Reading red flags is tricky business. For instance, what to make of Cotie McMahon's decision to wave goodbye to Ohio State and enter the transfer portal?
What's not up for debate: McMahon's departure absolutely is a red flag. You don't lose your leading scorer to another school and not begin to ask questions. Questions like "Is this a McMahon issue or an OSU program issue?" And, "Did the junior see systemic problems within the Buckeyes ' program?" Or, "Is she a diva who cut and ran when things didn't go her way?" And don't forget, "Maybe it was about NIL money?"
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All are legitimate questions, the answers to which may become public only in bits and spurts, if at all. That's often how it works with red flags. The danger signal waves without any guarantee of anyone riding to the rescue.
All we can do is attempt to read the indicators.
McMahon, who averaged 16.5 points and 4.7 rebounds this season, was visibly frustrated Sunday after No. 5 seed Tennessee defeated No. 4 Ohio State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the second consecutive season the Buckeyes lost to a lower seed. Last March, No. 2 OSU lost to No. 7 Duke.
McMahon appeared to drop an expletive as she went through the handshake line after the loss, barely tapping the hand of Vols coach Kim Caldwell, who appeared stunned by the snub.
Ohio State forward Cotie McMahon leaves the court following Sunday's loss to Tennessee.
Was McMahon's unsportsmanlike behavior simply indicative of a competitor who lost her cool, or a deeper display of indignation over a program that again came up short? Again, hard to say, but three days later she reposted an Instagram video from user @mrgemsinthegym, which read: "One of my favorite people and players has entered the Transfer Portal. Ohio State do it all baller @cotiemcmahon32 . A special player and person. Known her since her 7th grade year. She will be HIGHLY coveted! Good luck champ!"
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Perhaps the key word in that entire IG post is "champ." McMahon isn't one, at least not this season. The Buckeyes finished behind USC and UCLA in the Big Ten standings and bowed out of the conference tournament prior to the championship game.
On the other hand, McMahon starred as OSU reached the Elite Eight two years ago, and the Buckeyes won the Big Ten regular-season title in 2023-24, so it's not like she played on a bad team.
Ohio State forward Cotie McMahon and Tennessee guard Talaysia Cooper fight for a loose ball on Sunday.
But is it an underperforming program? You could make the case. Ohio State's appearance in the Elite Eight two seasons ago was its first since 1993, when the Buckeyes advanced to the championship game before losing to Texas Tech. Ohio State has made the NCAA Tournament in eight of coach Kevin McGuff's 12 seasons , which is decent if not spectacular, but in four of those eight appearances the Buckeyes failed to escape the second round .
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It will be interesting to watch where McMahon lands. If the 6-foot forward out of Centerville ends up at a basketball power like UConn, South Carolina or Notre Dame, it can be seen that she wanted to join a program that promises to consistently go deep into March. Or paid her more money. If she signs on with a school at or below Ohio State's caliber, well, that's a red flag of another color.
Mar 24, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan (23) skates with the puck against the New York Islanders during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Blue Jackets smack dab in middle of NHL playoff race
Don't look now – uh, wait a minute, absolutely look – but the Blue Jackets are in the thick of the NHL wild card race.
The CBJ playing meaningful games in mid-March is something of a rare sight. We're talking six playoff appearances in 23 previous seasons, and nothing since 2019-20. But the Union Blue is right there at the moment, within two points of the second of two wild card berths with 12 games remaining.
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The good news: The Jackets and their 73 points are back to full health for the stretch run. They played 70 games and entering Thursday have a game in hand on the New York Islanders and two games on the New York Rangers , each with 74 points. Montreal, which holds the second wild card spot with 75 points, has played 70 games.
It's going to be a fight to the finish, which for hockey fans makes late March feel a little less dreary.
Wearing a Columbus Blue Jackets Stadium Series jersey, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James watches Wednesday night's game against the visiting Denver Nuggets.
Listening in
"We all know MJ. Even if you don't know him personally, he is one of the most ruthless competitors there is, and until I'm done and he doesn't have to look at me running up and down wearing the No. 23 and every time my name is mentioned it's mentioned with his (a relationship will have to wait)." – LeBron James , explaining he currently has little interaction with Michael Jordan.
Feb 3, 2024; New York, New York, USA; American comedian and producer Larry David walks to his court side seat before a game between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Off-topic
Instagram has ruined TV/streaming watching for me. Or maybe saved it? Instead of slogging through 30-minute episodes of King of Queens, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office, or a stand-up comedy act., I watch 30-second highlight clips on IG. It's like a comedy version of NFL RedZone.
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Sports columnist Rob Oller can be reached at roller@dispatch.com and on X.com at @rollerCD
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Cotie McMahon transfer from Ohio State is red flag; Blue Jackets close
