Ohio State
Butler (Exh.)
10/24/2026 9:08:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Legendary head coach Thad Matta will be honored at halftime
Ohio State vs. Butler
Date: October 24, 2026
Time: 2 p.m.
Venue: Schottenstein Center – Columbus, Ohio
TV: B1G+
Listen: Ohio State Radio Network from Learfield
Live Stats: Sidearm
Rosters: Ohio State | Butler
TICKETS: Season, single-game, group and mini plans are available for all men’s basketball games this season. Visit OhioStateBuckeyes.com or call the Ohio State Athletics Ticket Office in the Schottenstein Center at 1-800-GOBUCKS.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State will host Butler in its final dress rehearsal on Sunday before the regular season opens on Nov. 2. Tip-off Sunday is set for 2 p.m. and the game will streamed on B1G+. Gabe Eaker, Evan Mlachak, Danielle Joseph and former Buckeye and Bulldog Joey Brunk will call the action.
The game can also be heard on the Ohio State Radio Network from Learfield. Paul Keels and former Buckeye captain Ron Stokes are on the call.
- The program will honor legendary head coach Thad Matta at halftime of Sunday’s game. Over an incredible 21-season collegiate head coaching career, Matta accumulated 502 victories, guiding his programs to 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, two Final Fours and eight conference titles. He had coaching stops at Ohio State, Butler and Xavier.
- The Buckeyes played Cincinnati in its first exhibition game on Oct. 7 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio in a unique outdoor setting. John Mobley Jr. led the team with 15 points against the Bearcats.
- Mobley Jr. was named Preseason All-Big Ten ahead of this season. He has made 174 three-pointers in his first two seasons, which was already seventh-most in program history. He went through the NBA draft process this offseason before deciding to return to Ohio State. He will undoubtedly be one of the team’s leaders this season.
- Amare Bynum had a great finish to his freshman season, averaging 12.3 points and shooting over 60 percent from the floor over the final six games. He too will provide a level of leadership throughout the season.
- Transfer point guard Justin Pippen is an experienced point guard who has played two years at Power 5 programs. He is a skilled passer, one of the top defenders on the team and will provide a veteran presence on the court.
- Five-star freshman Anthony Thompson is the highest rated Ohio State prospect since Jared Sullinger in 2010 as he was the No. 7 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports.com. He was the first McDonald’s All-American to sign with Ohio State out of high school since D’Angelo Russell in 2014. He has all of the tools to be a breakout star right away.
- Head coach Jake Diebler is in his third full season as head coach. He owns a 46-31 overall record and too the Buckeyes back to the NCAA Tournament last season for the first time in four years. His 2026 recruiting class was a Top-20 class and his 2027 class is currently ranked in the Top 10.
- Butler is coming off a 16-16 campaign a year ago under Thad Matta. He retired in the offseason and 2012 Butler grad Ronald Nored has taken over the reigns. The Bulldogs lost to Indiana in their first exhibition game and then beat Indiana State last Sunday in their second game.
#GoBucks
