COLUMBUS — Ohio State was hoping for a better entrance into the NCAA tournament. The Buckeyes had an impressive stretch midseason, winning 19 of 20 games, before hitting a bump in the road and dropping three of their last four games heading into Friday’s first-round matchup against Buffalo in the first round of the Women’s NCAA tournament. It started with a 90-88 overtime loss at Minnesota followed by 107-105 triple overtime loss at Michigan State. In the Big 10 tournament they handled Rutgers, 73-58, in the quarterfinals but senior guard and team leader Ameryst Alston injured her right (and shooting) wrist diving for a loose ball in the third quarter. Alston tried to go in the semifinal matchup with Michigan State but played just 10 minutes and the Buckeyes couldn’t find their offensive groove. Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff said he is “cautiously optimistic” about Alston’s status for Friday’s game. In the meantime, he’s been impressed by Buffalo. “You know Buffalo played great especially down the stretch,” McGuff said Thursday afternoon at the official NCAA press conference. “They had a really magical run in the MAC tournament. They play really hard. …
Continue Reading: Ohio State has plenty of respect for Buffalo
