Ohio State’s 2024-25 season opener is reportedly set, with the Buckeyes slated to face off against Texas in a neutral site game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 4. The matchup was first reported by Jon Rothstein of College Hoops Today/CBS Sports.
This would mark the first time in 25 years that the Buckeyes will open their season against a fellow Power Six opponent, with the last one occurring against Notre Dame of the then-Big East on Nov. 16, 1999. It is also just the second time the two programs will match up against each other on the hardwood.
Ohio State — who will be led by first-year head coach Jake Diebler, who was hired as the program’s 15th leader on March 17 — will face off against a Longhorns team that will join the SEC next year after back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances under head coach Rodney Terry. Last season, Texas earned a 21-13 overall record and 9-9 mark in its final season in the Big 12, which earned them a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The Longhorns advanced to the second round of the Big Dance after defeating No. 10 Colorado State 56-44 on March 21 but fell to No. 2 seed and former Texas head coach Rick Barnes-led Tennessee 62-58 in the round of 32.
Texas is losing the majority of its offensive production from last season — headlined by graduated guard and former Buckeye NCAA Tournament killer Max Abmas — leaving the Longhorns with just one returning starter in junior guard Tyrese Hunter.
The program has already brought in some significant reinforcements through the portal, though, headlined by the additions of former Arkansas shooting guard and redshirt senior Tramon Mark (16.2 points, 4.3 rebounds) and former Indiana State small forward Jayson Kent (13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds).
An official announcement has yet to be made regarding the reported matchup between the Buckeyes and Longhorns. While dates and tip times have yet to be confirmed, the Longhorns will be the third SEC team Ohio State will face in the nonconference portion of its schedule. The Buckeyes are also set to visit Texas A&M as part of a home-and-home series and play Kentucky at a neutral site in the CBS Sports Classic at a location to be determined.
Ohio State is also reportedly looking to add a marquee home game to add to its 2024-25 schedule, and will host a multi-team event around Thanksgiving, with the teams and dates yet to be announced.
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