After two tough losses, Ohio State women know what's in store for the Big Ten in 2024
Ask Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff, he'll tell you that the Big Ten is already the best conference in women's basketball. Add four more programs next season, three of which are currently ranked in the top 25, there's "no question" that will remain the case.
The high level of competition in the Big Ten is why Ohio State schedules difficult nonconference games in the first place – to get ready for conference play.
"If you play a bunch of teams that aren't going to really challenge you, you won't really find out where you need to get better," McGuff said. "We've played a tough schedule with a lot of different style, so I think we're learning a lot about ourselves."
The most difficult challenges in nonconference play for the Buckeyes this season came from Southern California and UCLA. Falling 83-74 to the Trojans in the season opener and 77-71 to UCLA on Monday means that Ohio State's new conference rivals for 2024 have handed the Buckeyes their only losses of this season.
Considering how young both teams are, it's fair to guess these matchups won't be getting any easier.
What does this mean for Ohio State?
Ohio State will have more than just the scouting reports on what to expect when it comes to these two teams next season.
The Buckeyes have firsthand knowledge of how impactful USC's current national freshman of the year candidate Juju Watkins is. They also now know that UCLA has height and speed advantages.
"It's going to be tough," McGuff said. "But that's why these kids come to Ohio State, to compete against people like that, and we'll be ready."
What other teams think of Ohio State
Monday marked more than just a chance for Ohio State to learn about a new foe. Because of the reputation that the Buckeyes' have built over the past couple of seasons, which includes an Elite Eight run, other programs respect them.
And UCLA has an even greater appreciation for the Buckeyes after Ohio State nearly came back to upset the No. 2 Bruins.
"I think this is like our first little taste of what we're going to get next year," UCLA's Lauren Betts said. "It definitely was a battle."
It was more than just the talent that the Bruins realized is present in Columbus. They also got a sense of the atmosphere they will be playing in once they start making regular visits to Value City Arena. Monday's attendance was 6,800.
"This is our first real road test in a hostile environment against a really good team," UCLA coach Cori Close said. "I honestly smiled a couple times when they got loud. ... You can't simulate this."
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State women gets a feel for new programs joining Big Ten in 2024
