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. 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Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has said day-night Tests are likely to be the future of cricket, just the way Twenty20s have gained popularity over ODIs in the last few years. Misbah also expressed reservations about the visibility of the pink ball, but said it would probably lead to a fair competition between bat and ball.At the moment, it looks like [the future] keeping in mind the interest of the audience, who want to watch Test cricket, Misbah said a day before Pakistans first day-night Test, against West Indies in Dubai. After they [spectators] come from work, its a good opportunity and you will see it mostly in future. Lets see how it goes with the pink ball, its an experiment. First the one-day came, then Twenty20 came, so [day-night Test] is a good step to keep the Tests alive.When asked about the pink ball in particular, Misbahs main concern related to the timing of the Test; he said the players would have to readjust to the pink ball once the lights come on later in the day. Misbah also did not hesitate to crack a joke, when asked if the pink ball needed more grass to survive on.The only difference is the different timing [of the matches], just the visibility because its different for red ball and white ball, he said. Maybe when the pink ball gets older, you have to look at it carefully as a batsman because it could be difficult at times [under lights]. You need to make a few adjustments here and there. Overall, its good playing under lights also. Its not like its terribly difficult for the batsmen. Its a fair competition between bat and ball.Maybe the pink ball survives on grassy pitches but we also have to make sure that we survive as a team, Misbah said with a laugh. You look at your strengths and I believe that its up to the team; the better team performs well in all conditions and that is the bottom line. I think if you are a good team, then you do well irrespective of the circumstances. Forget about the pink ball and lights, just go out and perform.Pakistan had recently moved to No. 2 in the ICC Test rankings after drawing 2-2 in England, and rose to the top for the first time since the current ranking system was introduced when Indias last Test in the West Indies was washed out. Now No. 2 again after Indias home series win against New Zealand, Misbah said they would rather focus on the upcoming series against West Indies than the rankings.ddddddddddddThats not important for us, Misbah said. The most important thing is to do well; we are more attentive to our performance in this series. You cant take West Indies lightly because they are a young side and they have everything to prove and such a side is more motivated. We have done well in the last six years, did well on the England tour so the expectations are high. Pakistan would, however, be without Younis Khan for the first Test as the batsman was advised 10 days of rest to recover from a bout of dengue fever. That would probably mean a debut for an in-form Babar Azam, who struck three straight centuries in the recent ODIs, and maybe a shuffle in the batting order too. Pakistan had already moved Azhar Ali to No. 3 during the England tour after Shoaib Maliks Test retirement last year, and tried Asad Shafiq ahead of Younis only for the fourth Test, in which Shafiq shone with a century.I think at the start it was tough, we had to do that in England and considering the conditions it was tough. Not only promoting Azhar but also Asad for No. 3, Misbah said. Once we did that and it was successful, we know can do that again. It was a chance to bring in the fifth bowler and bring in a youngster at No. 7. I think a window has opened. I think opening and batting at No. 3 here is a good opportunity before the [upcoming away] New Zealand series, so its an advantage to do this before a tough series and settle down on a structure and a balance.I think there could be no better time than this to make his Test debut, Misbah said of Azam. He has played mature innings and has developed well. He has played well not only here but also in New Zealand and looks a good prospect. He is lucky to get a chance at this time, unfortunately because of Younis absence due to ill health, but I think this is the best time.Pakistan will be playing their 400th Test starting Thursday and Misbah said it would be a source of motivation for the players to make the historic match memorable for them. ' ' '