By Steve Patterson

    Star Allen missed 18 games while her teammates finished at the top of the Big Ten for the fourth time in four years. Her most memorable moments as a Buckeye have been the Big Ten championships. “I think the home game atmosphere is very good, we have a lot of supportive fans who cheer real loud for us! And I like that!” She told us from Des Moines today.

    When Allen was with the team she started ten out of twelve games and averaged close to 9 points and 7 rebounds per outing. When Allen joined the team she was hoping to make a difference by putting up the kind of numbers she has been able to post. “I really didn't know what to expect out of the Big Ten, I just came in hoping I could help make a change!” she said.

    Ohio State (22-8) might be under-seeded in the Women’s NCAA Tournament as they found themselves in the 6^th seed having to play an 11th seeded Florida State. Allen told us about the preparation as she feels the team is ready for the tournament. “The preparation has been very productive! We worked on a lot and we did a lot of running so you can say it has been hard but good!”

    The game is set for tonight at 10:30pm Eastern at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. All Buckeye fans will able to watch as the game will be aired on ESPN2. Several young players have contributed this season and will continue to contribute tonight. “I believe all of the young players made a contribution it may have not been in every game but they have stepped up in games of need!” Allen told us about the young team which features four freshman and five sophomores on a fourteen man roster.

    Ohio State has the experience to make a run as Head Coach Jim Foster always makes it to the NCAA tournament. Since coming to Ohio State, the Buckeye women have not failed to make the tournament a single season, being seeded as high as the 1^st seed in 2006 down to the 6^th seed twice in 2004 and now 2008. Allen raves about the job Coach Foster has done with the Ohio State program. “Coach Foster and his staff are doing an excellent job at everything! They stay on top of everything and get us together and make sure we are ready!” She explained about the Buckeye’s top notch coaching staff.