Ohio State aims to end two years of women’s NCAA Tournament heartbreak at home COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State has struggled to capitalize on home-court advantage in its recent NCAA Tournament appearances, failing to advance past the second round in each of the past two years despite playing in the Schottenstein Center. The Buckeyes’ quest for a deeper run begins Saturday against No. 14 seed Howard, with the winner facing either No. 6 seed Notre Dame or 11th-seeded Fairfield on Monday in the Fort Worth 1 Regional. Coach Kevin McGuff emphasized the team’s focus on preparation and attention to detail as key factors for success. “Our attention to detail and focus on preparation have been as good as they’ve been in years. I think that’s what we’re going to have to hang our hat on this week,” he said. The Buckeyes, who finished 11th in the final Associated Press Top 25, have shown steady improvement this season after starting unranked. Ohio State’s recent tournament history includes a second-round loss to Duke in 2024 and a defeat to Tennessee in the round of 32 last year. The selection committee has not made things easier for the Buckeyes, with Notre Dame, a team with a strong tournament pedigree, set to face them in the regional. “The last home game (an 88-86 overtime loss to Maryland), we didn’t get to pull it out the way we wanted to. Hopefully, we get the next two opportunities to make it a good one and just go out and have fun,” said sophomore guard Jaloni Cambridge. The regional in Columbus also features standout guards, including Cambridge and Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, both AP second-team All-Americans. Hidalgo, a two-time ACC Player of the Year, leads Division I in scoring with 25.2 points per game and ranks first in steals with 173. Cambridge, seventh in scoring at 22.#notre_dame #ohio_state #columbus #schottenstein_center #fort_worth_1_regional
Closures, Delays & Snow Emergencies Snow-covered roadways have led to multiple closures and traffic delays across Central Ohio. I-270 westbound is closed beyond Sawmill Road due to a crash, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. Hilliard and Dublin police also reported ongoing issues with road conditions, though specific details about the extent of the closures were not immediately provided. Several counties in the region have declared snow emergencies as light snow showers with patchy accumulations continue to affect the area. These declarations typically trigger emergency response protocols, including the deployment of snowplows and the opening of shelters for residents. Local authorities have urged drivers to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel due to hazardous conditions. In a separate incident, police in Bucyrus are investigating a caseworker for Marion County Children Services who allegedly smoked fentanyl while on duty. The worker was en route to a home visit when they were stopped by law enforcement, and authorities believe the incident may have prevented a potential tragedy. The case highlights ongoing concerns about substance use among public service professionals. A Columbus family is seeking answers after a fatal crash during a police pursuit claimed the lives of both parents, Franklin Ward and his wife, who were 71 and 52 years old, respectively. The incident occurred in South Linden over the weekend, and local officials have been contacted to provide further details. Newly released documents have revealed a connection between a female podcaster and former Ohio State University President Ted Carter.#ohio_state_university #ohio_department_of_transportation #marion_county_children_services #columbus #south_linden
