There are moments that let you know the basketball season is close. On Tuesday, the Associated Press put the 23-24 campaign even closer in the windshield, releasing its first preseason poll. The Ohio State women’s basketball team, after starting last season at No. 14, doubled its place with a No. 7 initial ranking.
The last time the Buckeyes had this much hype entering a season, at least from the AP standpoint, was back in the Kelsey Mitchell days. At the beginning of the 17-18 season, the new Buckeyes Athletic Hall of Fame guard Mitchell and forward Stephanie Mavunga led Ohio State following a loss to Notre Dame in the 2017 Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament.