Power Rankings: Ohio State's unbeaten run

Ohio State remains undefeated as we hit the midseason point, but can its successes continue?

The Buckeyes join UCLA, USC and Maryland in the top 10 of ESPN's women's college basketball Power Rankings this week at No. 9. Ohio State has its highest ranking so far this season and is one of three unbeaten teams left, along with UCLA and LSU.

The Buckeyes' biggest tests are still ahead: They've yet to face the Bruins, Trojans or Terps. They will play Maryland twice (Jan. 23 and March 2), and travel to Los Angeles for their UCLA and USC matchups Feb. 5-8. Ohio State has defeated just two ranked teams, neither of which are in this week's Top 25 poll.

Still, Ohio State is 16-0 overall and 5-0 in the league. The Buckeyes have won or shared the Big Ten regular-season title 17 times and hope to be in the mix again this season.

Ohio State is doing it with some familiar names for Buckeyes fans: junior forward Cotie McMahon (team-high 16.4 PPG), senior guard/forward Taylor Thierry (10.8 PPG) and reserve guard Madison Greene (4.8 PPG) are Ohio natives who have played their entire careers at Ohio State. Forward Eboni Walker is in her third season in Columbus after beginning her career at Arizona State.

And a group of newcomers -- transfers and freshmen -- have jelled quickly to help the Buckeyes adjust to losing three starters. Leading the way are two dynamic guards: junior Chance Gray and freshman Jaloni Cambridge. Gray returned to her home state of Ohio after playing her first two seasons at Oregon and is the Buckeyes' second-leading scorer at 15.4 PPG. Cambridge, one of the top freshmen in the nation, is averaging 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists.

Ohio State still has a lot to prove as the schedule gets tougher, but the Buckeyes' start is as good as they could have hoped for this season.