Buckeyes Set to Welcome UNC Pembroke for Thursday Exhibition
10/31/2018 10:54:54 AM | Men's Basketball
Ohio State Men's Basketball Gameday March 12, 2020
Opponent vs. Purdue (16-15)
Site Bankers Life Fieldhouse (18,500)
Time 6:30 p.m. ET
Television BTN | BTN Plus
Talent Kevin Kugler (Play-By-Play)
Stephen Bardo (Expert Analysis)
Rick Pizzo (Sideline)
Radio OSU-IMG Sports Network (67 stations)
Listen Free: Ohio State Buckeyes App | OhioStateBuckeyes.com
Local Radio WBNS-FM 97.1
AM-1460
Satellite Radio Sirius (84) / XM (84)
Radio Talent Paul Keels (Play-By-Play)
Ron Stokes (Expert Analysis)
Live Stats Gameday Live
Game Notes Ohio State | Purdue | Big Ten
Preview Press Conference Ohio State
Follow the Buckeyes on Social Media Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
2019-20 Game Notes Game Notes Archive
Tickets Single Game | Group | Season | Student
Starting Five
- The Ohio State men’s basketball team traveled to Spain for 11 days over the summer. The Buckeyes played a total of three games, one in each stop during the trip, which began Aug. 1 with a flight to Madrid. Three days were spent in Madrid (W, 93-61 vs. Madrid Generals), Valencia (W, 95-63 vs. Valencia All-Stars) and Barcelona (W, 68-66 vs. Catalan All-Stars) before the team returned to Columbus Aug. 11. The team experienced several cultural tours and team meals and excursions around the three wins.
- Chris Holtmann and the coaching staff welcomed its first full recruiting class to campus in June. Guards Luther Muhammad and Duane Washington Jr. along with forwards Jaedon LeDee and Justin Ahrens comprise the freshman class. Fifth-year transfer Keyshawn Woods along with Florida State transfer C.J. Walker also joined the squad last summer. Woods is eligible immediately for one year. Walker will sit out the 2018-19 season and will have two remaining years of eligibility beginning with the 2019-20 season.
- The Buckeyes open the season on the road at Cincinnati Nov. 7 at renovated Fifth-Third Arena. The teams have not met in the regular season since 1921. The Buckeyes have played just once at Cincinnati. That game took place in 1920. The teams last met in 2012, an 81-66 Ohio State win in the NCAA East Regional Semifinals in Boston.
- Ohio State will appear on four major television networks again in 2018-19. This season marks the second year in which FOX will televise Big Ten Conference games. The Buckeyes, who have traditionally appeared on CBS, the Big Ten Network and the ESPN family of networks, will appear on FOX and/or FS1 four times this season. The first appearance will be at home Nov. 23 vs. Cleveland State at historic St. John Arena in the 2018 Buckeye Classic. (8 p.m./FS1).
- An exhibition game is scheduled for Nov. 1 vs. the University of North Carolina Pembroke. The NCAA Division II institution is coached by Ben Miller, son of former Ohio State head coach Eldon Miller. Eldon is a volunteer assistant coach with the Braves.
Holtmann Earns Third Coach of the Year Award-In Third Conference
Chris Holtmann led Ohio State to a 25-9 overall record in his first season in Columbus in 2017-18. The Buckeyes finished second in the Big Ten regular-season race with a 15-3 record. His efforts led to the league coaches and media naming him the 2018 Big Ten Coach of the Year. Holtmann was the Big East Coach of the Year in 2017 at Butler and the 2013 Big South Coach of the Year while at Gardner-Webb.
Youth, Inexperience Will be Led by Pair of Contributing Seniors
C.J. Jackson and Keyshawn Woods both started their college basketball careers elsewhere prior to being added to the Ohio State men’s basketball program. Jackson is a senior and is in his third year after leaving junior college and Eastern Florida State following the 2015-16 season. Now in his third year in the Ohio State program, Jackson will be looked upon for his leadership and experience in 2018-19. Woods started his career and Charlotte before transferring to Wake Forest. He left the Demon Decons as a graduate transfer following the 2017-18 season to join the Buckeyes for one year as a graduate transfer. He will also be asked to provide leadership to Ohio State’s young roster at the point guard position. Jackson will run the point as well with the ability to move to the off guard position as well.
Eldon Miller Back on the Bench in Columbus
Former Ohio State head coach Eldon Miller spent 10 years coaching the Buckeyes from 1977-1986. He will make his return to Columbus as a volunteer assistant coach on the staff of his son, Ben, head coach of UNC Pembroke. The Buckeyes and Braves will meet in an exhibition game Thursday (7 p.m./BTN Plus) at Value City Arena. Eldon compiled a record of 174-120 at Ohio State, which includes a 96-84 record vs. Big Ten competition. The Buckeyes finished second three times in the league standings during his tenure and won 19 or more games six times.
