Eric Boggs
Buckeye Nation, get ready for an exciting season! Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler has set the stage for his first full season in 2024-25, and it’s packed with action. The Buckeyes will play seven non-conference home games, three neutral site games, and one true non-conference road game.
Ohio State kicks off the season against Texas in the Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas on Monday, Nov. 4. This will be just the third time these two teams have faced off, so expect some fireworks in the desert!
Diebler’s squad, full of transfers, will begin their 2024-25 campaign in November. With a new-look roster, the Buckeyes have some big opening matchups. The officially set non-conference schedule was released on Monday, spanning from November 4th to December 29th.
The home opener will be on Monday, Nov. 11 against in-state rival Youngstown State. The Buckeyes have won the last five meetings, the most recent being on Dec. 18, 2018, in Columbus. Other home games in November include Evansville (Nov. 19), Campbell (Nov. 22), Green Bay (Nov. 25), and Pitt (Nov. 29). The Pitt game will be a Friday night appetizer for the highly anticipated football clash between Ohio State and that team up north the next day. The lone road trip in November will be at Texas A&M on Friday, Nov. 15.
In December, the Buckeyes will host Valparaiso, Jake Diebler’s alma mater, on Dec. 17. They will then head to Madison Square Garden to play Kentucky in the CBS Sports Classic on Saturday, Dec. 21. The final non-conference game will be against Indiana State on Sunday, Dec. 29.
Ohio State will also play another non-conference neutral site game that will be announced later. The complete Big Ten schedule will be revealed around Labor Day. This season, Columbus will host Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Oregon, Rutgers, and Washington. Let’s dive into some of those key matchups.
Ohio State vs Texas
The Buckeyes’ regular season opener will be in Las Vegas, Nevada, as part of the Hall of Fame Series. T-Mobile Arena will host a doubleheader featuring Michigan and South Carolina in a women’s basketball game, and our Buckeyes taking on the Longhorns. Last season, Texas went 21-13 and made it to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 7 seed. Despite their March Madness stint, Ohio State just missed the tournament but made a little run in the NIT, falling to Georgia. This neutral site showdown will be a thrilling first matchup. Last year, the Buckeyes were 5-1 in neutral site games, while Texas was 3-3.
Ohio State at Texas A&M
The only true road trip of the non-conference schedule is against Texas A&M on November 15th. After facing Texas and returning home to open against Youngstown State, the Buckeyes will head south. Last season, Texas A&M narrowly beat Ohio State 73-66 at the Schottenstein Center. The Aggies went on to finish 21-15 and made the NCAA Tournament. They defeated Nebraska but fell to Houston in a thrilling overtime game. The Buckeyes struggled on the road last year, going 2-8. This revamped team will look to change that and avenge the previous loss to the Aggies.
Ohio State vs Pittsburgh
The final game of November against Pittsburgh on the 29th will be a great test. The Panthers, who went 22-11 last year, will come to Columbus for a Friday night game. Pittsburgh was strong on the road last season, going 7-4, but lost Carlton Carrington to the NBA. This should be a competitive game before the Buckeyes host Valparaiso on December 17th.
Ohio State vs Kentucky
The CBS Sports Classic returns on December 21st at Madison Square Garden, featuring Ohio State, Kentucky, UCLA, and North Carolina. Last year, the Buckeyes defeated UCLA, and Kentucky edged North Carolina. Kentucky’s new head coach, Mark Pope, looks to lead a talented team deep into the tournament. This will be a significant game for Kentucky transfer Aaron Bradshaw, now with the Buckeyes. The winner of this clash will gain momentum heading into conference play.
This season is crucial for Ohio State. With the opportunity to get off to a strong start in non-conference play, the Buckeyes aim to carry that momentum into Big Ten action. With a new coaching staff and many new faces, now is the time to change the narrative. Go Bucks!
