Jacie Hoyt knew early in training camp that something about this team was different.
In her first season at OSU, Hoyt had brought her high-flying offensive style with her from UMKC, translating a team filled with veteran offensive talent into an unexpected tournament bid in her first season on the job.
In most situations, a coach would hit the portal and reload with players to fit the identity of the team from the year prior, but Hoyt filled out her roster with players who have brought a defensive mindset.
“I think this team has really taken on a defensive mentality that we didn’t have last year, and it's just contagious,” Hoyt said.