COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to face a significant challenge as they welcome the fourth-ranked UCLA Bruins for their conference home opener on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams boast an 11-1 record, with the Buckeyes coming off what head coach Kevin McGuff described as “one of their better games of the season” against Western Michigan.
However, McGuff noted that defending the three-point line has been a struggle for the team this season, emphasizing its importance in practice ahead of the matchup.
“They can make you pay if you let them get open shots from the three-point line,” McGuff said.
The Bruins bring a wealth of experience, returning four starters from last season, including reigning Defensive Player of the Year Lauren Betts.
The Buckeyes fell to the Bruins twice last season, and McGuff highlighted the need to limit Betts as a key takeaway from those meetings.
After a short holiday break, the Buckeyes have had two practices to prepare for what McGuff considers a good measuring stick for the young team.
Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Schottenstein Center, and the game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.