Buckeyes release full nonconference hoops schedule
COLUMBUS — The Ohio State hoops program is set with its entire slate of nonconference games.
After planning the season out, the Buckeyes released their nonconference slate Wednesday, making the dates and opponents official and locking in what could be a tricky group of games to navigate.
Ohio State will officially open its season Nov. 7 at home against Robert Morris, kicking off Year Six of the Chris Holtmann Era for the basketball program. That game will be the first of three straight home games before the Buckeyes head to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational, where they could potentially play Arkansas, Arizona, Cincinnati, Creighton, Louisville, San Diego State or Texas Tech, depending on how the tournament draw goes.
Following the trip to Maui, the Buckeyes will have a week off before a tough road trip to Cameron Indoor Stadium to face as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. That game will be on ESPN, and it’s the highlight of the nonconference slate — until Dec. 17.
That’s when Ohio State will take part in the CBS Sports Classic with Kentucky, UCLA and North Carolina. The Tar Heels are a trendy pick already to be the No. 1 team in the country, and they are the Buckeyes presumed opponent for that matchup.
Ohio State will certainly have a chance to build momentum against smaller opponents before the tougher portion of the schedule. But Holtmann will have a young team he needs to prepare for Duke and others.
“We’ve got a young group,” Holtmann said. “Hopefully if we can grow together and stay together, we’ll have a real chance.”
The schedule gives them a chance. Now it’s official.
Ohio State 2022-23 nonconference schedule
Nov. 1 — Home vs. Chaminade (Exhibition
Nov. 7 — Home vs. Robert Morris
Nov. 10 — Home vs. Charleston Southern
Nov. 16 — Home vs. Eastern Illinois
Nov. 21-23 — at Maui Invitational (Hawaii)
Nov. 30 — at Duke
Dec. 3 — St. Francis (Pennsylvania)
Dec. 17 — at CBS Sports Classic (vs. North Carolina, location TBD)
Dec. 21 — Home vs. Maine
Dec. 29 — Home vs. Alabama A&M
