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Buckeyes set to play charity exhibition game against Dayton in October

Spencer-Holbrookby:Spencer Holbrook•06/29/23•

SpencerHolbrook

Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann
Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

COLUMBUS — Ohio State already has its nonconference schedule set for the upcoming hoops season.

Now the Buckeyes are adding an exhibition matchup with an in-state college basketball rival — and doing it for a good cause.

Ohio State will play Dayton inside UD Arena on Oct. 22 to cap off ‘a multi-day community engagement event championing adolescent and young adult mental health and suicide prevention.’ The entire weekend, which is being put on by Dayton, will center around mental health awareness, according to a release.

According to Dayton’s release Thursday, the NCAA provided a waiver to approve the charity game. Game time will be announced at a later date. Also according to the release, all proceeds from the game and surrounding events will benefit the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio.

“We look forward to partnering with Anthony and Dayton on this exhibition game at UD Arena,’ Ohio State Coach Chris Holtmann said in the statement. “Anthony’s willingness to share his family’s story in hopes of helping others is inspirational and we appreciate him including Ohio State in this event. We are excited that the proceeds will benefit the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation and other local organizations.”

Ohio State was asked to be a part of the weekend’s festivities by the University of Dayton, and the Buckeyes clearly accepted the invite to support the cause.

“First, I want to express my deepest thanks and appreciation to Coach (Chris) Holtmann, Athletic Director Gene Smith and the Ohio State community for participating in this special event,” Dayton head coach Anthony Grant said. “They have been incredibly gracious partners and we’re thankful for their participation. More importantly, the game is a collaborative effort to help raise awareness, generate conversation, and increase access to mental health services in Ohio and throughout the country.”

Prior to the exhibition matchup, Dayton will host town halls on Thursday, Oct. 19 and Friday, Oct. 20 ‘with a specific focus on helping individuals and families navigate finding the right mental health care for themselves and their loved ones.’

Ohio State Big Ten opponents

Back in April, the Big Ten announced every team’s home and away conference opponents for the 2023-24 season. Ohio State will play 14 league foes both at and away from the Schottenstein Center, three Big Ten opponents only at home and three more only on the road.

Here’s the breakdown:

Home Only

  • Illinois
  • Maryland
  • Purdue

Away Only

  • Iowa
  • Michigan State
  • Northwestern

Home and Away

  • Indiana
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Nebraska
  • Penn State
  • Rutgers
  • Wisconsin

Tip-times, TV assignments and the completed Big Ten schedule will be revealed toward the end of the summer.

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