Story by
Ohio State hosts Oregon, Chance Gray's former team, for first time in program history
- Story by
- Ohio State hosts Oregon, Chance Gray's former team, for first time in program history
The No. 9 Ohio State women's basketball team is slated to get its first taste of the new competition in the Big Ten.
On Sunday, the Buckeyes host Oregon for the first time in program history. It's a matchup Ohio State will have to become accustomed to, as Oregon is one of four teams that joined the Big Ten this season.
Advertisement
With two past matchups between the teams, the most recent being an 84-67 Ohio State victory in December 2022, Oregon stands as the most unfamiliar of the four new teams to the Buckeyes. Only Ohio State veterans Cotie McMahon , Taylor Thierry and Eboni Walker have faced the Ducks, and only one player they competed against is still on Oregon's roster.
Ohio State Buckeyes forward Taylor Thierry (2) dribbles around the perimeter during the NCAA women's basketball game against the Charlotte 49ers at Value City Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. Ohio State won 94-53.
Buckeyes guard Chance Gray also played in the most recent Ohio State-Oregon matchup, but as a starter for the Ducks. The Cincinnati native transferred to Ohio State this past offseason.
"One of the reasons that (Ohio State coach Kevin) McGuff recruited me here, just to be a scorer, be a threat on offense," Gray said. "Every day I can do that and just be confident ... that's one of my roles for this team, that's what I need to do."
Advertisement
Gray has started every game in the Buckeyes' season-opening 15-0 run and leads the team with 42 3-pointers. Averaging 16 points, Gray is Ohio State's second-top scorer.
Chance Gray scored 18 points in Ohio State's loss at Penn State on Sunday.
Along with Gray's shooting ability, the junior brings a knowledge of the four teams that joined the Big Ten, as they were all Pac-12 teams.
"The Pac-12, it was very dynamic," Gray said. "I was playing against 6-7, 6-5 kids who can step out and shoot. I'm playing against very long people, a bunch of dynamic guards and posts. So, I think it would be different for them to see it, but our tempo and all the talent we have and how fast we are is definitely going to come into play."
Advertisement
The former Pac-12 teams are a combined 16-3 in the Big Ten this season, with UCLA and USC ranked in the top four of the AP poll. Oregon has the lowest standing of the four teams, sitting three teams below Washington at ninth in the conference with a 12-4 record overall, 3-2 in conference play.
Dec 18, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) blocks the shot of Ohio State Buckeyes forward Cotie McMahon (32) during the first half of the NCAA women’s basketball game at Value City Arena.
Oregon added former all-ACC first-team guard Deja Kelly out of North Carolina in the offseason, Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff considers the Ducks to be on the rise.
"Oregon had a great offseason. They added some great players," McGuff said. "It's going to be tough, but that's what we signed up for."
Advertisement
Ohio State and Oregon tip off at 1 p.m. Sunday.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State women's basketball hosts Oregon, former team of Chance Gray
