Ohio State’s women’s basketball team, ranked 10th in the nation by Sports Illustrated and 11th by the Associated Press, will invade Chick Evans Field House tonight to take on the Huskies in a 7:30 p.m. contest.

Not only are the Huskies excited because they are meeting up with last season’s Big Ten co-champs, but they also are excited about it being their home debut. NIU coach Jane Albright said competition like the Buckeyes is as good as it is going to get.

“I think we are real excited,” Albright said after Monday’s practice. “Ohio State is bringing in the most tradition any women’s basketball team has brought. Any time you meet a team with the kind of tradition they have, you have to be excited.”

Tonight’s game will be the first one of the season for OSU. The Buckeyes finished last season with a 26-5 overall record and a 17-1 Big Ten slate. The Buckeyes also advanced to the finals of the West Regional in last year’s NCAA Tournament where they lost to California State-Long Beach, a potential opponent for the Huskies at this weekend’s Fastbreak Fest.

“I expect to see a well-organized team take the floor against us for its first game,” Albright said. “Ohio won’t have many first-game jitters. They are extremely well coached.”

The Buckeyes’ head coach Nancy Darsch has three of her starters returning, including a 1987 Kodak All-America and two-time Big Ten Player of the Year in Tracey Hall. Hall, a 6-foot senior, averaged 16.3 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game.

Another strength for Ohio State is Nikita Lowry. The 6-foot junior averaged 13.6 ppg and 4.5 rpg.

“In terms of individual talent, Hall and Lowry will be as good as anyone we’ll face all year,” Albright said. “Hall is the key player, because she is one of the very top players in the nation. Tammy Hinchee will be defending her. It will put a big challenge on Tammy.”

Hinchee had a strong showing in Saturday’s game against Butler. She shot five-for-five from the free-throw line, grabbed 15 rebounds and scored 17 points.

“Winning our first road game should really help our morale,” Albright said.

Not only does NIU have height in Hinchee, but it also gets good shooting from sophomore Lisa Foss who had 20 points against Butler and from junior guard Gena Stubbs who had 17.

“They (Ohio) will play a pressure defense and will execute their offense well,” Albright said. “We have to try and stick to what we do best.

“One key for us will be our defense. Ohio has a very strong shot selection and I am hoping our defense will take them out of their offense.”

Albright said she is impressed with OSU’s depth. She said one of the Buckeyes’ strenghths is the way the team plays together.

“They play a real team system,” Albright said. “We hope to take them out of their team play.”