NCAA Tournament: How Ohio State won in the first round thanks to Kevin McGuff’s technical foul

March Madness is known for its unpredictability, where high-intensity moments, controversy, and unexpected decisions can turn the tide of a game in an instant. The first round of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament was no exception for the Ohio State Buckeyes, who found themselves locked in a tight battle against a formidable opponent. In what was a roller-coaster of a game, a seemingly controversial moment—head coach Kevin McGuff’s technical foul—turned out to be the turning point that propelled Ohio State to a thrilling 68-63 victory. The Buckeyes advanced, and McGuff’s decision became a testament to his coaching acumen and the resilience of his players. In this article, we’ll break down how a seemingly risky technical foul helped Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Setting: An Intense First-Round Battle

As the game got underway, the stakes could not have been higher. The Ohio State Buckeyes, a high-seeded team in the NCAA Tournament, were expected to dominate their first-round matchup, but their opponent had other plans. The underdogs came out firing, playing a fast-paced, physical game that challenged Ohio State at every turn. With each possession, it became evident that the game was not going to be an easy walkover for the Buckeyes.

From the start, Ohio State struggled to gain control of the game. The team’s offense wasn’t as fluid as it had been in previous games during the season, and defensively, they were caught off guard by their opponent’s aggressive play. Ohio State’s star players, Jacy Sheldon and Taylor Mikesell, were trying to keep the team in the game, but their shots weren’t falling, and turnovers were creeping up. The Buckeyes were down by as many as eight points midway through the second half, and the momentum was firmly in favor of their opponent.

As the clock ticked down toward the final minutes, Ohio State was facing the real possibility of an early exit from the tournament. The arena was tense, the Buckeyes’ bench was visibly frustrated, and the opposing fans could sense an upset brewing. It was in these desperate moments that Kevin McGuff, known for his calm demeanor and strategic coaching, made a bold decision that would ultimately alter the course of the game—he drew a technical foul.

The Moment: McGuff’s Technical Foul

The game was in its final stages, with Ohio State trailing by three points, just under five minutes remaining. The Buckeyes had been fighting back, but each time they got close, their opponent seemed to make a clutch shot or draw a foul to extend the lead. In one particular possession, Ohio State’s defense appeared to be in position to stop their opponent’s fast break, but a controversial out-of-bounds call went against the Buckeyes, handing possession back to the opposing team.

McGuff was visibly upset. He had seen enough of what he felt were questionable officiating decisions throughout the game. His frustration reached a boiling point as he stormed toward the sideline and began shouting at the officials, demanding an explanation for what appeared to be an unfair call. In the heat of the moment, McGuff’s outburst resulted in a technical foul being assessed to Ohio State.

At first glance, the decision seemed reckless. A technical foul in such a crucial moment meant two free throws for the opposing team, along with possession of the ball. Ohio State was already trailing by three, and the technical foul appeared to give the opposing team a chance to stretch their lead and potentially put the Buckeyes in a deeper hole. Fans and analysts watching from the sidelines were in shock, wondering if McGuff’s emotions had cost Ohio State the game.

However, what followed the technical foul would prove that McGuff’s decision was not as reckless as it seemed.

The Impact: A Shift in Momentum

The immediate aftermath of the technical foul was not what many expected. The opposing player stepped up to the free-throw line to shoot two shots. With the crowd holding its collective breath, the player missed both attempts. The gymnasium fell silent as the two missed free throws reverberated in the air. This unexpected miss had an immediate effect on the game.

Ohio State’s players, who had been frustrated and struggling to find their rhythm, suddenly had a renewed sense of hope. The missed free throws gave them a golden opportunity to regain control of the game, and it was clear that the Buckeyes were not going to let this chance slip away. The missed free throws acted as a psychological reset—if the opponent couldn’t capitalize on the free-throw opportunity, then perhaps Ohio State still had a chance to make a late-game run.

It was at that moment that Ohio State’s defense, which had been inconsistent throughout the game, stepped up in a big way. On the ensuing possession, the Buckeyes forced a turnover, and Taylor Mikesell quickly turned it into a fast break that led to an easy layup by Jacy Sheldon, cutting the deficit to just one point. The arena came alive as Ohio State’s players started to feel the adrenaline rush of a potential comeback.

The technical foul had done something no one expected—it had galvanized Ohio State. Rather than crumbling under the pressure, the Buckeyes used McGuff’s fiery outburst as motivation. With their heads high and the crowd behind them, Ohio State was back in the game.

The Clutch Shots: Mikesell and Sheldon Step Up

With momentum swinging in their favor, Ohio State’s leaders, Mikesell and Sheldon, took charge in the closing minutes. After cutting the lead to one, the Buckeyes needed a big shot to take control of the game, and Mikesell delivered. The senior guard, who had been quiet for much of the game, hit a clutch three-pointer from the top of the key, giving Ohio State its first lead since early in the second half.

The Buckeyes’ defense continued to stifle their opponent, forcing them into contested shots and securing crucial rebounds. Sheldon, known for her ability to perform under pressure, then hit a jumper with under a minute left to extend Ohio State’s lead to three points. It was clear now that the Buckeyes were not going to let this game slip away.

As the final seconds ticked down, Ohio State sealed the victory with a couple of clutch free throws. The Buckeyes’ 68-63 victory was a result of their tenacity, but also the spark that McGuff had lit with his technical foul. It was a moment that may have initially seemed like a gamble, but it turned out to be a stroke of genius.

Analyzing McGuff’s Strategy: A Calculated Risk

At first, it seemed as though McGuff’s decision to argue with the referees and draw a technical foul was an emotional outburst, an act of frustration that could have cost his team the game. However, as the game unfolded, it became clear that the technical foul was part of McGuff’s broader strategy. McGuff is known for his ability to motivate his players and keep them focused, and the technical foul served as a wake-up call for the Buckeyes.

By showing his frustration with the officiating, McGuff sent a clear message to his team: he was willing to fight for them, and they needed to fight for themselves. The technical foul served as a rallying cry, and Ohio State responded by playing with renewed intensity. McGuff knew that his team needed a spark to overcome the adversity they were facing, and in that moment, the technical foul provided just that.

Additionally, the technical foul served to shift the psychology of the game. With the missed free throws and the momentum swing, Ohio State found itself in a position to make a comeback. It was as though the team was subconsciously emboldened by McGuff’s willingness to stand up for them, and they began playing with a sense of urgency that had been lacking earlier in the game.

The Bigger Picture: McGuff’s Leadership

McGuff’s decision to take a technical foul in the midst of a high-stakes tournament game also highlighted his leadership style. Throughout his tenure at Ohio State, McGuff has built a program centered on resilience, toughness, and the ability to perform under pressure. The way he handled the technical foul situation demonstrated that he is not afraid to take calculated risks for the benefit of his team.

In a tournament where every decision can be the difference between advancing and going home, McGuff’s emotional but calculated move was a reminder that coaching is as much about psychology and motivation as it is about strategy and Xs and Os. The technical foul ultimately fueled Ohio State’s comeback, but it also underscored McGuff’s belief in his players. He trusted them to respond in a high-pressure moment, and they delivered.

 A Game-Changing Moment

In the first round of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, Kevin McGuff’s technical foul will go down as one of the most unexpected yet impactful moments of the game. What initially seemed like a reckless decision turned out to be the catalyst for Ohio State’s thrilling 68-63 victory. The technical foul sparked a shift in momentum, led to critical defensive stops, and ultimately helped the Buckeyes secure their place in the next round of the tournament.

McGuff’s leadership, combined with the resilience of his players, proved that sometimes, in the heat of March Madness, it’s the unpredictable moments—the ones that seem like risks—that can make all the difference. The Buckeyes’ victory in this game will be remembered as one of the more remarkable comebacks in recent NCAA Tournament history, with McGuff’s fiery decision standing out as the turning point in a high-stakes contest. As Ohio State moves forward in the