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Ohio State women’s basketball looks to make Sweet 16

By Ryan Stano

March 18, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA;Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jacy Sheldon (4) and Ohio State Buckeyes guard Taylor Mikesell (24) react to a foul during Saturday's first round NCAA tournament game against James Madison at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus DispatchCeb Wbk Ncaa Tournament Bjp 05
March 18, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA;Ohio State Buckeyes guard Jacy Sheldon (4) and Ohio State Buckeyes guard Taylor Mikesell (24) react to a foul during Saturday's first round NCAA tournament game against James Madison at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus DispatchCeb Wbk Ncaa Tournament Bjp 05 /
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The Ohio State women’s basketball team has one of the best teams they’ve had in school history. They started out 19-0 this season, which was a school record. They even won most of those games without Jacy Sheldon in the lineup. While they accumulated some losses after that, they are playing well now at the right time.

The Buckeyes will be hosting another NCAA Tournament game today at 4 pm when North Carolina comes into the Schott and tries to beat them. The Tar Heels are a 6-seed while Ohio State is a 3-seed. Ohio State is coming off a double-digit victory over 14-seeded James Madison on Saturday.

Looking at North Carolina, they have had an interesting year. They’ve lost to both of the Big Ten teams that they’ve played so far this year, falling to both Michigan and Indiana. Neither of those games was particularly close either. But they still have some solid wins on their resume too.

North Carolina has beaten Notre Dame, Iowa State, and Duke, all of whom were ranked in the top-15 when they faced them. Carolina isn’t coming in playing great though. They just eeked by 11-seeded St John’s 61-59. Ohio State is much more talented than the Johnnies.

According to some sportsbooks I’ve seen, the Buckeyes are 5-point favorites in this one. That seems about right to me. While the Buckeyes struggled in the first half against James Madison, that’s nothing new for them. They are a second-half team and have been all year.

Prediction: Ohio State women’s basketball team 78 North Carolina 70

Cotie McMahon was huge for the Buckeyes on Saturday and I expect her to have another big game today. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year is unstoppable when she is going downhill and really has some nice moves once she gets into the lane. I think she’s the difference in this game.

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The game will be broadcast at 4 pm ET on ESPN and the ESPN App