CLEVELAND (AP) — Ohio State and Ohio University men’s basketball teams will each play a non-conference game in Cleveland as part of a doubleheader at Rocket Arena on Dec. 13.
The Buckeyes will face West Virginia, while the Bobcats will compete against St. Bonaventure in an event called the “Cleveland Hoops Showdown.” Game times will be announced later.
“Cleveland is a great city full of Buckeye passion and rich basketball tradition,” Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler said in a press release. “I’m excited for our program to participate in the game against West Virginia. We look forward to the stage and atmosphere this game provides and want to continue to reach our fans across our great state and beyond.”
All four teams took part in the Legends of Basketball Showcase in Cleveland in 2023, where the Buckeyes defeated the Mountaineers 78-75 in overtime, and the Bobcats lost to Davidson 72-69.
“We are excited to play at Rocket Arena. Mark Starsiak and the team at Intersport do a phenomenal job setting up high-quality games,” Ohio head coach Jeff Boals said. “We look forward to the challenge of playing a well-coached St. Bonaventure team.”
Tickets will go on sale Oct. 9, with a 24-hour presale starting Oct. 8.
Ohio will open the season on Nov. 3 against Arkansas State and will also participate in the Sunshine Slam in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Nov. 24-25.
The Buckeyes are scheduled to play Virginia in a non-conference game on Feb. 14, 2026, in Nashville, in the midst of their Big Ten schedule. The rest of Ohio State’s non-conference schedule has not yet been announced.