Ohio State will start its men's basketball season earlier than ever before when it travels to Salt Lake City, Utah, to face No. 25 BYU on Monday, November 2. The matchup is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET at the Delta Center and will be broadcast nationally on FS1.
The game marks the eighth all-time meeting between Ohio State and BYU and the first since 1997. The Buckeyes hold a 4-3 advantage in the series, with the teams having split their two meetings in Utah in 1959 and 1964. This is only the fourth time Ohio State has opened a season against a ranked opponent, carrying a 1-2 record in such matchups.
The Buckeyes enter the season with a 105-21 record in season-openers and have not lost a season opener since 2003. In their most recent opener, the Buckeyes won against IU Indy with a score of 118-102. Before the regular season, Ohio State played two exhibition games, defeating Butler 82-73 on Sunday, October 25, after previously falling to Cincinnati.
The Ohio State roster features several notable players, including preseason All-Big Ten selection John Mobley Jr., who was named to the Jerry West Preseason Watch List. Freshman Anthony Thompson, the No. 7 overall prospect in the 2026 class, was named to the Julius Erving Award Preseason Watch List. Other key contributors include Amare Bynum, transfer point guard Justin Pippen, and head coach Jake Diebler, who is entering his third full season.
The game will be called by Aaron Goldsmith and Jim Jackson for television, while the Ohio State Radio Network from Learfield will provide audio coverage featuring Neil Sika and former captain Ron Stokes.
