Circle it, underline it, set an alarm. Monday morning hoops is a thing, and it’s a good one.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Ohio State Buckeyes and TCU Horned Frogs will step out of conference play and onto a national stage inside the Prudential Center in Newark for a top-15 showdown that feels more March than midseason.
Ohio State (16-2) and TCU (18-1) aren’t just winning - they’re winning with style.
Horned Frogs on SI was quick to offer up three Buckeyes stars that TCU will have to focus on stopping.
For TCU fans, the scouting report on Ohio State starts with one name: Jaloni Cambridge. The sophomore guard may be listed at 5-7, but she plays like she’s six inches taller and permanently annoyed.
She’s the Buckeyes’ offensive engine, leading the team in both scoring and assists, and she thrives on chaos - quick first steps, fearless drives, and a knack for showing up right when defenses relax.
If TCU doesn’t disrupt her rhythm early, she’ll dictate everything.
Then there’s Kylee Kitts, the freshman who looks nothing like a freshman when the ball goes up. At 6-4, she cleans the glass, finishes through contact, and quietly does a little bit of everything.
She’s comfortable inside, confident outside, and dangerous if she starts stacking rebounds. Keeping her off the boards is less of a suggestion and more of a requirement.
Ohio State’s experience shows up in Chance Gray, the senior guard who can flip momentum in about 90 seconds if left unattended.
She doesn’t need many touches - just one clean look behind a screen, and suddenly the crowd gets loud and the bench gets nervous. Discipline matters here.
From a team perspective, this game is strength-on-strength.
Ohio State wants pace, pressure, and points. TCU counters with physical defense, rebounding, and efficiency. The Buckeyes score in bunches. The Frogs make you earn everything.
An 11 a.m. CT tip, a national spotlight, and the kind of matchup that makes your lunch plans negotiable. Add in the bonus of a football title game later that night, and Monday quietly becomes a sports holiday.
If this game turns into what it should - fast, physical, and a little chippy - don’t be surprised if it feels like a dress rehearsal for March.
Coffee optional. Must-watch basketball mandatory.