The wait is over, Ohio State Buckeyes fans.
Ohio State’s conference schedule was announced Thursday on the Big Ten Network. The Buckeyes’ notable opponents include Michigan, Michigan State, UCLA and Rutgers.
Here is Ohio State’s full list of opponents and schedule for the 2024–25 season:
Home games: December 7th against Rutgers, January 3rd against Michigan State, January 9th against Oregon, January 17th against Indiana, January 27th against Iowa, February 6th against Maryland, February 12th against Washington, February 16th against Michigan, February 20th against Northwestern, March 4th against Nebraska
Away games: 4.12. in Maryland, January 6th. in Minnesota, January 14th in Wisconsin, January 21st at Purdue, Jan. 30 at Penn State, 2/2. in Illinois, February 9th. in Nebraska, February 23rd. at UCLA, February 26th in USC, 8.3. in Indiana
Notably, Ohio State does not have to travel to Washington or Oregon, but instead travels across the country to play at UCLA and USC within four days.
The Buckeyes also face Michigan at home, a big rivalry between the two new head coaches Diebler and Dusty May.
Ohio State’s non-conference opponents include Youngstown State, Texas A&M, Evansville, Campbell, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Auburn, Valparaiso, Kentucky and Indiana State.
Ohio State’s rival Michigan will be especially important for the Buckeyes this year – with Roddy Gayle Jr. now wearing the maize yellow and blue, there could be a battle in the backcourt.
Of course, the football team pairings highlighted the addition of UCLA, Southern California, Washington and Oregon, but these storied teams could certainly cause problems for the Scarlet and Gray.
Ohio State enters the 2024–25 season after a hectic offseason that included the addition and removal of several transfers and rookies, among other things.
The team will certainly look different without three of its five starting players, but head coach Jake Diebler has brought in players from across the country – Sean Stewart from Duke, Micah Parrish from San Diego State, Aaron Bradshaw from Kentucky and Ques Glober from Kansas State.
Not to mention, the team brought back Meechie Johnson Jr. from South Carolina for a second stint in his home state.
In addition, Ohio State was able to bring on board three newcomers, John Mobley Jr., Braylen Nash and Ohio’s Mr. Basketball Colin White, who have good scoring potential at three levels.
The Buckeyes have made even greater efforts throughout the season to sign Croatian big man Ivan Njegovan, a 7-foot-1 center who can likely fill the shoes of departing transfer Felix Okpara.
Ohio State finished 14th in Andy Katz’s preseason rankings in May thanks to the transfers and returnees they brought in. Most notably, Diebler will welcome back junior Bruce Thornton, the team’s leading scorer and playmaker last season.
Hopefully Ohio State can live up to those lofty expectations, but with several new teams on the horizon, they have their work cut out for them.
