UConn, Ohio State Show Off Differences in Scheduling Philosophy

UConn men’sbasketball team will be battle-tested by the time it meets Ohio State in the2026-27 season, having already faced defending champion Michigan.

And the Buckeyeswill come into the game having played Youngstown State and Marshall, two teams thatthey have played to an 8-0 combined record.

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UConn and OhioState announced Wednesday that their previously announced home-and-home series willbegin on Nov. 13 in Connecticut, with UConn traveling to Columbus, Ohio, for aNov. 12, 2027, clash.

Ohio State holdsa 4-3 all-time record against UConn, most recently meeting in the 2016-2017season.

The Huskiesarguably have the hardest nonconference schedule in the league, with the likesof Michigan, Duke and Illinois – the three teams that joined them in the FinalFour last April.

And on theHuskies’ menu of nonconference games, the Buckeyes are merely an appetizer.

Ohio Statefinished last season with a 21-13 (12-8 Big Ten) record. A No. 8 seed in the NCAATournament, the Buckeyes lost to No. 9 TCU in the first round, 66-64. It wastheir first tournament berth since 2023.

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The Buckeyes willbe led by starters John Mobley Jr. and Amare Bynum in the upcoming season, anchoringa team for head coach Jake Diebler that includes eight new players.

Mobley, a 6-foot-2junior guard, is a sharpshooter who averaged 15.7 points and 2.8 assists pergame last season. He also shot 41.4 % percent from 3-point range. He was thirdin the Big Ten in both 3-pointers made per game and 3-point percentage.

The 6-8 Bynumaveraged 9.7points and 4.9 rebounds per game. His 37 dunks led the team.

Among the newfaces is that of Justin Pippen, a 6-4 guard who will be playing for his thirdteam in three years, following stops at Cal and Michigan. His father is BasketballHall of Fame member Scottie Pippen, a Chicago Bulls legend.

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UConn headcoach Dan Hurley wants to play the toughest nonconference schedule imaginableto prepare his team for March.

It doesn’tappear Diebler is at that level yet.

This…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/uconn-ohio-state-show-off-221239495.html

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Publish date : 2026-08-19 22:12:00

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