Ohio State Scouting report (Brief)

[SACCAT]

Here is a brief look at OSU Women's Team

Points- 79 Per Game

FG%- 45%

3PT%- 34%

FT%- 68%

Key Players-

#32 Cotie McMahon (6' Junior Forward/Guard)- 16 Points a game / 43% From Floor / 36% From 3 / 64% From Line

#22 Jaloni Cambridge (5' 7" Freshman Guard)- 15 Points a Game / 43% From Floor / 32% From 3 / 72% From Line / 104 Assists on Year

#21 Chance Gray (5' 9" Junior Guard)- 12 Points a Game / 39% From Floor / 34% From 3 / 84% From Line / Hit 65 3's on the Year

#2 Taylor Thierry (6' 1" Senior Forward)- 10 Points a Game / 56% From Floor / 48% From 3 / 69% From Line / 5 Rebounds a Game / 16 Blocks on Year

#1 Ajae Petty (6' 3" Senior Forward / Transfer from Kentucky / Started at LSU) 9 Points a Game / 58% From Floor / 57% From Line / 7 Rebounds Per

[MSU01]

In some ways Ohio State definitely mirrors MSU in terms of the style they play. Pressure defense and they try to force a lot of steals and turnovers just like MSU does. Teams that do well against them are able to break the press and get easy baskets before they can set up the defense. Ohio State is #10 in Steals per Game, #2 in Turnover Margin, and #11 in Turnovers Forced per Game. MSU is #1, #3, and #5 in those categories respectively. MSU will have to take care of the ball well if they want to stay close in this game, hopefully it helps that they've been practicing all year against themselves!

[SACCAT]

In some ways Ohio State definitely mirrors MSU in terms of the style they play. Pressure defense and they try to force a lot of steals and turnovers just like MSU does. Teams that do well against them are able to break the press and get easy baskets before they can set up the defense. Ohio State is #10 in Steals per Game, #2 in Turnover Margin, and #11 in Turnovers Forced per Game. MSU is #1, #3, and #5 in those categories respectively. MSU will have to take care of the ball well if they want to stay close in this game, hopefully it helps that they've been practicing all year against themselves!

MSU seems to be "Longer" in most starting spots as well. OSU plays 10 players regularly, so our depth will be KEY in this game as well. If this was on a neutral court, I would look at it as a pretty even match-up (Stats alone). Because MSU has to play on their floor, that is a BIG advantage. I always love a team that goes in with "Nothing to lose" and so that will help the Cats through at least 1/2 time. Stay close, and hope someone from MSU decided to have a career night. I wouldn't say I "love" our chances, but I would NEVER count this group out.

[MSU01]

In some ways Ohio State definitely mirrors MSU in terms of the style they play. Pressure defense and they try to force a lot of steals and turnovers just like MSU does. Teams that do well against them are able to break the press and get easy baskets before they can set up the defense. Ohio State is #10 in Steals per Game, #2 in Turnover Margin, and #11 in Turnovers Forced per Game. MSU is #1, #3, and #5 in those categories respectively. MSU will have to take care of the ball well if they want to stay close in this game, hopefully it helps that they've been practicing all year against themselves!

MSU seems to be "Longer" in most starting spots as well. OSU plays 10 players regularly, so our depth will be KEY in this game as well. If this was on a neutral court, I would look at it as a pretty even match-up (Stats alone). Because MSU has to play on their floor, that is a BIG advantage. I always love a team that goes in with "Nothing to lose" and so that will help the Cats through at least 1/2 time. Stay close, and hope someone from MSU decided to have a career night. I wouldn't say I "love" our chances, but I would NEVER count this group out.

Agreed on all counts. When the Bobcats are clicking on offense and everyone's making shots (i.e. the home game against UM) I think that version of the team can hang with almost anyone in the country. If Morales is scoring but the rest of the team can't get their shots to go down, that's going to end up very badly against a team as talented as Ohio State.

[Bobcat4Ever]

I’ve watched Ohio State vs Iowa twice this year on TV. First, they are not some big-time unbeatable team just because they are in the Big19 Conference. That conference is so bloated and since their schedule is totally unbalanced nothing really means anything.

Our biggest problem with them will be Cotie McMahon. If the refs let her have her way she will just shove everyone out of the key all game long. Their biggest problem with us will be team speed and ball movement, if we use it. They’ll try to slow the game down. We should try to speed it up.

We will find ourselves with a lead at some point in this game. Our biggest problems with ourselves must be overcome, or we will give it right back.

One — we must defend against three-point shots which means we need to deny passing lanes (we’re pretty good at that) and take their favorite spots on the three point line — learn the shooting charts. And finally, if we wander off on “help” defense and try to cover corner shooters by running at them — well, that won’t work. Even their mediocre shooters will start ringing them up.

Two — we need to make D-1 style layins. Strong move and strength through the shot. We’ll either score or draw a foul. Addison does this nicely — her layups look intentional. Flip shots and other weak attempts will not be honored. And try to get to the hoop with your strong hand, unless you are Marah or Lexi. I’ve noticed the Big19 players are not embarrassed to take a breakaway to their strong side.

We can play with them. We have just as many good players, we are mostly quick enough. Cambridge, their freshman point guard is good. “Crafty” as Grista would say. It will be fun to watch her figure out who Morales is, as Esme will be one of the best guards she will have seen all year.

For once we’re not taking pillows to this fight. Those national stats rankings are real — those numbers say we do that stuff as well as anybody.

We must take the court with confidence and cannot spot them an 0-fer lead like we did Arizona State at home awhile back or Stanford. I guess our slow starts are my third worry — one of those will end our year. They’ve settled too well to let that happen.

Go, ‘Cats!