Story by
Ohio State women embrace hosting NCAA Tournament games during a season of attendance highs
- Story by
- Ohio State women embrace hosting NCAA Tournament games during a season of attendance highs
The line was long and record breaking outside of Value City Arena on Jan. 21, just like it had been for many other venues hosting Caitlin Clark and Iowa this season.
The program-high 18,660 fans in attendance to watch the Ohio State women's basketball team upset the Hawkeyes was only part of the 120,942 fans the Buckeyes drew across 16 home games this season.
Advertisement
Ohio State's average attendance during the regular season of 7,559 is the highest the program has had at Value City Arena. The number is second in the Buckeyes' record book, behind the 1993-94 season that averaged 8,411 fans at St. John Arena.
Feb 28, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; The Ohio State Buckeyes bench reacts during the second half of the NCAA women’s basketball game against the Michigan Wolverines at Value City Arena. Ohio State won 67-51.
"When I first came here, it was hard for us," said redshirt senior Rikki Harris. "To now having the fans that we have now, it's amazing. ... For them to take the time out of their weeks and to just support us is amazing, and we're so appreciative and can't wait to keep it growing and moving forward."
The growing support for the program, especially following the Iowa matchup, called for sections of the upper bowl at Value City Arena to remain open for select games. This helped Ohio State's average attendance increase to 9,120 in the final five home games of the regular season, with the crowd surpassing 10,000 on three occasions.
Advertisement
Now heading into the NCAA Tournament as a No. 2 seed , Ohio State's hope is that the crowds continue to come out. The first-round matchup at Value City Arena against No. 15 seed Maine could see a dip in attendance due to the noon tipoff on Friday. But if the Buckeyes advance to the second round Sunday, the number of people attending will likely rise.
More March Madness: 'We can be one of the best teams in the country': Ohio State's thoughts on NCAA Tournament
Sophomore Cotie McMahon is looking forward to the home-court advantage.
"I feel like just embracing that," McMahon said, "and just realizing that yes, it's one and done, but we have a chance to do this two times at home, two more times for Buckeye nation and ourselves."
Advertisement
Hosting these games gives at least one more opportunity for some Buckeyes, including Jacy Sheldon and Rebeka Mikulasikova , to compete in front of the crowd they helped build over five years with the program.
Despite having only one season with Ohio State, Celeste Taylor has come to appreciate the fans at Value City Arena. In her final year of eligibility, Taylor feels the responsibility to ensure her college career doesn't end at home.
"I think having the crowd there is definitely going to have us pumped, but a lot of it is going to have to do with how we play," Taylor said. "Obviously we love having the crowd. The crowd pumps us up. It gives us energy. But at the end of day we're on the court, so we have to compete. I had the opportunity to host last year when I was at Duke, and we ended up losing."
Jan 11, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jacy Sheldon (4), guard Celeste Taylor (12) and guard Taylor Thierry (2) high five during the first half of the NCAA women’s basketball game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Value City Arena.
Every one of the Buckeyes' starters has experience playing in the Elite Eight , and in McMahon's opinion this mix of players has "all we need to go as far as we allow ourselves to."
Advertisement
Ohio State has proven it is beatable, losing to Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals as the No. 1 seed. Looking to take the upset as a wake-up call , there is clear understanding among the Buckeyes that any game could be the end of the road.
"Everything's at stake," Taylor said. "Honestly, it could be my last college basketball game. Cotie, it could be her last game with us. There's high emotions. And so, everybody's ready to compete."
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State women host NCAA Tournament in front of Buckeye nation
