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'We can be one of the best teams in the country': Ohio State's thoughts on NCAA Tournament
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- 'We can be one of the best teams in the country': Ohio State's thoughts on NCAA Tournament
During ESPN's selection show on Sunday night, when they cut to the Ohio State players learning they drew the No. 2 seed in the Portland 3 region, the perceived lack of a reaction was something the broadcast team pointed out right away.
According to sophomore Cotie McMahon, that stoicism was more of an indication of the team's confidence rather than a lack of excitement.
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"We knew we were going to be in the tournament, didn't really matter who we played," McMahon said. "But now that we know who we're playing, it's just day-by-day, getting ready for Maine."
Ohio State will face No. 15 seed Maine at noon Friday in the Round of 64, a matchup the Buckeyes say has their full focus. While coach Kevin McGuff admits that he doesn't know too much about the reigning America East Conference champions, he recognizes it is a program that is used to winning.
Jan 11, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Kevin McGuff motions to his team during the second half of the NCAA women’s basketball game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Value City Arena. Ohio State won 90-55.
Included among those watching the selection show at the Fawcett Conference Center ballroom was Ohio State's Eboni Walker. She has been away since before the Michigan game on Feb. 28, but McGuff confirmed Walker is back for the tournament. The reason why she took a step back has not been disclosed.
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Duke drew the No. 7 seed in Ohio State's region, meaning there is a possibility that the Buckeyes' Celeste Taylor could be facing her former Blue Devils team in the second round.
"It's obviously pretty cool to go against a school that I graduated from and that I played at for two years," Taylor said. "But obviously we still have to get past the first round and so do they."
Feb 28, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Celeste Taylor (12) celebrates with guard Taylor Thierry (2) during the second half of the NCAA women’s basketball game against the Michigan Wolverines at Value City Arena. Ohio State won 67-51.
Having over a week to digest a loss to Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament where they "just played bad," McGuff feels the team is ready to move on.
"I think our players have a lot of confidence that we can be one of the best teams in the country," McGuff said. "So, I think we've played at a high enough level that we can draw in those experiences to really make sure our confidence is where it needs to be."
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State shares reactions to NCAA Tournament draw, facing Maine
