Game Time Approaching! Ohio State Women’s Basketball Set for NCAA Tournament Clash Against Montana State …

The Ohio State Buckeyes women’s basketball team is gearing up for their NCAA Tournament opener against the Montana State Bobcats, set for Friday, March 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. ET at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus.

Ohio State enters the tournament as a No. 4 seed in the Birmingham region, boasting a 25-6 overall record and a 13-5 mark in Big Ten play. The Buckeyes have been led by standout performances from junior forward Cotie McMahon, averaging 16.6 points per game, and freshman guard Jaloni Cambridge, contributing 15.4 points per game. Despite their strong season, the team acknowledges the need to elevate their play to make a deep tournament run. Head coach Kevin McGuff emphasized the importance of consistency, stating, “We just haven’t found a rhythm where we’ve consistently been close enough to 40 minutes of that to feel like we’ve played our best.”

Montana State, earning a No. 13 seed, has had a historic season with a 30-3 record and clinching the Big Sky Conference championship. This matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the Bobcats and the Buckeyes. Montana State’s head coach, Tricia Binford, expressed excitement about the challenge, noting the significance of facing a top-tier program like Ohio State.

The Buckeyes’ defense will be crucial in this matchup, as they aim to contain Montana State’s dynamic offense. Ohio State’s defensive strategies, combined with their depth, will be pivotal in dictating the game’s tempo. Coach McGuff highlighted the importance of bench contributions, stating that depth will “keep our team fresh and be able to sub and get our bench in there and have six or seven or eight or nine people play well.”

Hosting the first two rounds provides Ohio State with a home-court advantage, a factor they aim to capitalize on. The Buckeyes are determined to surpass last year’s tournament performance, where they were eliminated in the second round by Duke. Reflecting on that experience, guard Kennedy Cambridge remarked, “That feeling… has stuck with me this entire year, and the goal is to not feel that feeling again.”

The winner of this matchup will advance to face the victor between No. 5 seed Tennessee and No. 12 seed South Florida in the second round, also to be held at the Schottenstein Center.

Fans can catch the game live on ESPN2 or listen via 1460AM. Tickets are available through the Ohio State athletics website.

As the Buckeyes embark on their tournament journey, the blend of experienced leadership and emerging talent positions them as a formidable contender. The upcoming clash with Montana State promises to be a thrilling contest, setting the tone for what Ohio State hopes will be a deep and successful tournament run.