A look at Ohio State women’s basketball’s 2023–24 roster: Madison Greene.
Greene will make a comeback for the Buckeyes this season after two seasons were cut short by knee injuries.
For the past two seasons, Ohio State women’s basketball has had several players fill the point guard position. Five different Buckeyes have taken over the crucial offensive position. Madison Greene is the name most desired for the role among that group of guards.
Will the 23–24 season see more stability at this position?
Call sign: Madison Greene
Guard Position and Class: Redshirt Pickerington Central High School (Pickerington, OH) 2022-23 is the senior high school. Statistics:.450 FG%,.565 3FG%, 4.8 apg, 10.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, and.816 FT%
Final Season
The Central Ohio native has played 337 minutes overall over the last two seasons, a far cry from the 1,300 minutes she played in her first two seasons of a promising NCAA career. Greene missed her entire junior year due to a knee injury she suffered during practise prior to the start of the 21–22 season.
Greene responded by having a sluggish start to the 22–23 campaign. Greene was cautiously introduced to the Buckeyes from the bench by head coach Madison Greene., who had confidence in her to start as the starting point guard during her rookie campaign.
Greene started the season’s first four games off the bench. The guard continued to play an average of 25 minutes, demonstrating the Buckeyes’ intention to use her as an impact player early in the game. Greene did that even from the bench.
Greene participated in the Buckeyes’ season-opening comeback victory over the Tennessee Volunteers, having not played since the conclusion of the 20–21 campaign. Greene scored seven points, grabbed three steals, and contributed four assists in 22 minutes.
After averaging 8.3 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.8 steals in her first four games, Greene had to return to the starting lineup due to an injury to fellow Ohioan Jacy Sheldon. Aside from Sheldon playing through what turned out to be a foot injury during a highlight-worthy victory over the Louisville Cardinals, Greene started at point guard for the first time in nearly two years.
Greene’s ability to both defend and facilitate on offence was evident as the starting point guard. In every game she participated in, Greene averaged three steals per game in addition to her 4.8 assists.
The guard played a large amount of minutes against less formidable non-conference opponents and guided Ohio State to two early Big Ten victories. Then, in a game at the San Diego Invitational against the USF Bulls in late December, Greene sustained yet another severe injury.
Greene’s Ohio State teammates watched in tears as they saw the guard fall to the ground during the fourth quarter. Greene suffered another knee injury, forcing the guard to miss the rest of the campaign.
What to Anticipate
Being the best passer on the court, Greene adds versatility to the Buckeyes’ offensive attack. In addition to playing full and half court defence and finding open teammates, the guard will also shoot three points when the situation calls for it.
With Greene back, McGuff has more choices. Ohio State can play a smaller set with Greene to create problems for opponents on the defensive end of the ball. In order to overcome a double-digit deficit in Louisville, the Buckeyes turned to Greene, Sheldon, former shooting guard Taylor Mikesell, and redshirt senior Rikki Harris.
When healthy, expect the same excellent work that Greene has produced during her three years of playing on the court. In addition, she leads the team off the court in a reserved manner.
Expectation
To put it simply, Greene requires patience. McGuff told the media during the preseason that Greene wouldn’t be arriving until later in the year, probably in late November. It makes sense to gradually introduce Greene back into games even in that case.
Greene won’t have to play a lot of minutes in a hurry as long as Sheldon, fellow guard Rikki Harris, and transfer Celeste Taylor are healthy. Greene should not have her playing time increased too quickly, even if necessity forces her back onto the court.
There are other players who can get court time, including sophomores Kennedy Cambridge and Kaia Henderson and freshman guard Diana Collins. Greene, though, is your best bet.
High points
Despite his reputation as a facilitator, Greene is a capable offensive leader as well. Here are some highlights of Greene dominating the Penn State Nittany Lions while he was healthy.
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