COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Naismith Awards announced the 2025 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year Watch List presented by AXIA Time on Wednesday. Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff was among the 15 coaches on the list and one of three Big Ten coaches on the list. This is McGuff’s fourth time on the watch list in the past five seasons. He was a semifinalist last season.

McGuff led Ohio State to its second-best unbeaten start in program history this season as the Buckeyes won their first 17 games and was one of the final three unbeaten teams in the country. This season was the fourth time in program history with a 20-1 start and first with McGuff at the helm. The Buckeyes have three ranked wins on their resume so far this season with one of those being against a top 10 opponent. In the eight seasons of McGuff’s leadership not affected by NCAA rulings nor COVID, McGuff has led the Buckeyes to 20 or more wins in seven seasons, including this one as OSU is currently 22-3.

All five of the Buckeye starters have received conference recognition this season under McGuff’s leadership. Leading the way is junior Cotie McMahon, who is a top 10 finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award as well as on the watch lists for the Naismith Trophy (preseason/midseason), Wooden Award (preseason, midseason, late midseason), USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale Player of the Year (midseason) and was named to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team. Senior Taylor Thierry was named to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year watch list. Freshman Jaloni Cambridge joined McMahon on the USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale Player of the Year midseason watch list and Petty joined McMahon on the Wooden Award preseason watch list. Both J. Cambridge and Ava Watson have been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, while Petty was named Big Ten Player of the Week and McMahon, J. Cambridge, Thierry and Chance Gray were all named to the Big Ten weekly honor roll.

Ohio State women’s basketball tickets for the 2024-25 season are available online as Buckeye Nation continues to make Value City Arena in the Schottenstein Center one of the most exciting venues in the country. Purchase single game tickets HERE.

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