Buckeyes' Basketball Drops Really Unique Exhibition Against Cincinnati

No, there is no typo here; you did click on a basketball story. On Wednesday, the Ohio State Buckeyes Men's Basketball team got their season underway, unofficially, against the Cincinnati Bearcats.

I'm hopeful that today was a test run of what could be a really fun round-robin tournament between four of Ohio's top teams. The Buckeyes, Bearcats, the Dayton Flyers, and the Xavier Musketeers on Center Court of the Linder Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio. This facility hosts one of the top Tennis Tournaments in the world, the Cincinatti Open. 

The environment was amazing, the turnout, maybe not so much, and the basketball was sub-par for Ohio State.

The Buckeyes and Bearcats got the first game of the double header, and Ohio State fell by a final score of 79-68.

John Mobley Jr. was the major bright spot for the Buckeyes on the offensive side of the floor. Mobley Jr. led the way with 15 points in 30 minutes of work. He was not efficient from the field, but he was able to put the ball in the cup.

Mobley Jr. is the focal point of this seemingly loaded Buckeye team. The transfers that have been added and the freshmen that have been brought in are all reasons for excitement, but Mobley Jr.'s return is so huge for the Buckeyes.

No other Buckeyes scored in double figures in the afternoon, but they got contributions from Amare Bynum with 9 points, Justin Pippen with 8 points, and LJ Smith also finished with 9.

The major issue here for the Buckeyes was on the hustle plays. Cincinnati outrebounded Ohio State 45-35 and forced 9 Ohio State turnovers. It was a really tough shooting day for both teams, with the new environment and an added variable that is typically accounted for: wind.

There are no sweeping conclusions to draw from this contest, but it is the first step in what is hopefully a journey that ends in the NCAA Tournament in March. 

This year's Ohio State team will be very different from the one we have grown accustomed to watching. The Buckeyes actually have some elite talent on their roster as they try to revive the program. 

The regular season doesnt get kicked off for three more weeks, as they do have a really fun start to the season. It begins with a matchup against BYU before they come home to take on the Youngstown State Penguins. 

The Buckeyes have their sights set on making a tournament run this year. There is a lot of work to be done between now and then, but they are off and running on the 2026-27 season.