COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Even with one of the nations best players on the floor, Ohio State was taken down in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament last season because the Buckeyes couldnt compete in the paint with Tennessees towering rebounders.This season, not only do the Buckeyes have All-American Kelsey Mitchell returning to anchor the lineup, theyve got some new bigs -- namely 6-foot-3 North Carolina transfer Stephanie Mavunga and 6-foot-4 freshman Tori McCoy, a five-star recruit and McDonalds All-American.Coach Kevin McGuff hopes they are among the missing pieces that will get No. 7 Ohio State deeper into the postseason.The chemistry is very good, the work ethic has been excellent, McGuff said. Its really nice to have the amount of players we have out there, and right now if we stay healthy -- knock on wood -- looks like we could have a deep team.Besides Mitchell, a 5-foot-8 junior guard who averaged 26 points a game last year, Ohio State returns two other starters, forward Alexa Hart (10.8 points per game, 7.8 rebounds) and guard Asia Doss (7 points, 2 rebounds). Shayla Cooper, a 6-foot-2 forward (13.3 points, 8.1 rebounds) and the teams lone senior, also provides experience inside. Mitchells twin sister, Chelsea, also returns as a bit player; their father, Mark, is an Ohio State assistant coach.Lost were Ohio States second-leading scorer last year, guard Ameryst Alston (18.3, 3.4), now a rookie with the WNBAs New York Liberty, as well as guard Cait Craft, a defensive stalwart and team leader.The Buckeyes open the season Nov. 11 against Duquesne.LOTS OF NEW FACESAdding to Ohio States depth are three transfers, who all sat out last year, and three freshmen who collected buckets of prep accolades.Mavunga transferred from North Carolina, where she averaged 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game and earned All-ACC honors as a sophomore. Shell likely slot in at center.Guard Sierra Calhoun came from Duke and is expected to contribute immediately. Linnae Harper, a 5-foot-8 guard, transferred from Kentucky, where she was the only player under 6 feet among the top 10 rebounders in the Southeastern Conference in 2014-15.The three freshmen are five-star recruits that include guard Jensen Caretti, who was Ohios Miss Basketball; guard and Chicago native Kiara Lewis, who was the Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year last season; and McCoy, who was ranked in the top 10 of the 2016 class. McGuff said all will see important minutes this season.Practice is very good for us because were very competitive, Harper said. With all of the talent from point guard to post, I think were going to have a full team this year, a lethal weapon.Mitchell said all the newcomers are meshing well -- and they all like to run.Everybody who talks about Ohio State talks about how fast we play, Mitchell said. All the people we brought onboard with us and the people who are on our bench are also players who love to get up and down the floor.MITCHELL URGED TO LEADMcGuff said Mitchell is the best player hes ever coached -- but she says shes not a natural leader. With the loss of Craft to graduation, McGuff is pushing Mitchell to step into that role, even getting her to take a leadership course at OSU.On the court, I think Ive become vocal with my teammates and helping them, leading by example and giving constructive criticism, Mitchell said. Im not one of those people that like to tell people what to do, but coach McGuff has put me in that role.McGuff said he can see the difference already.Shes talking more, shes more engaged, he said. Shes obviously a great kid and one of the hardest workers Ive ever been around. And shes a fierce competitor, but shes also got a good feel for the game and you see her sharing that more with her teammates.---Follow Mitch Stacy at http://twitter.com/mitchstacy Martin Jones Jersey .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Antti Suomela Sharks Jersey . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. http://www.officialsharksnhlshop.com/marcus-sorensen-jersey/ . The incident occurred at 19:56 of the second period of the Kings 4-2 road win over Edmonton on Sunday. Nolan punched Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu in the jaw in front of the Kings goal during a scrum. Evander Kane Sharks Jersey . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. Timo Meier Jersey .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. (STATS) -- Theres a hole in North Dakota States vaunted defense, right smack in the middle.Standout middle linebacker Nick DeLuca is scheduled to have season-ending shoulder surgery on a torn labrum this week, Bison coach Chris Klieman said Monday.The 6-foot-3, 245-pound DeLuca, a senior nominated for STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year, will apply for a medical hardship with the hope of returning next season, Klieman said. DeLuca played as a true freshman in 2013.DeLuca was injured in the top-ranked Bisons season opener against Charleston Southern. After missing over a week of practice, he has played in the last two games against Eastern Washington and Iowa. He earned Missouri Vallley Football Conference defensive player of the week honors following the Eastern Washington game.ddddddddddddHe led the team in tackles last season and was doing so again with 26 through three games.Hes an unbelievably tough physical kid that wanted to give it a shot, Klieman said. You work so hard for it every year, but you work so hard for your senior year and to have it taken away like that is a tough pill to swallow.Redshirt junior Matt Plank will take over the starters role.NDSU (3-0) is on a bye this week and will next host Illinois State on Oct. 1. ' ' '