Scarlet Sunrise: Contract details revealed for Ohio State non-conference games in 2023-24

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Contract details revealed for Ohio State hoops non-conference games in 2023-24

Ohio State men’s basketball will pay non-conference opponents a combined $455,000 this season, according to The Columbus Dispatch, which obtained signed game contracts via public records request.

The Dispatch reported that Central Michigan, Merrimack, Miami (Ohio) and New Orleans will all receive $90,000 to make the trip to Columbus. And Oakland, the Buckeyes’ season-opening opponent, will be paid $95,000 for playing at the Schottenstein Center.

Notably, Texas A&M will not be paid for its visit this season. Ohio State is hosting the Aggies on Nov. 10 for the first half of a home-and-home series with the expected top-15, AP-ranked foe.

On the other hand, Ohio State will be paid for a pair of neutral-site games this season, per the Dispatch. The Buckeyes will earn $25,000 for their quick drive to Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Dec. 30 when they face West Virginia in an old-school, holiday season matchup directed by Intersport.

Ohio State is yet again participating in the decade-old CBS Sports Classic, which also includes UCLA, Kentucky and North Carolina. In the process, the Buckeyes will take home $250,000, this time for making the trip to Atlanta on Dec. 16. Their opponent in that four-team event hasn’t been announced yet.

Coaching combo of James Laurinaitis, Jim Knowles will be huge for Ohio State

The Ohio State linebacking corps brought back invaluable experience this offseason. First off, returning starters and fifth-year players Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers are once again in the fold. They combined for 197 total tackles in 2022.

What’s more, the Buckeyes hired program legend James Laurinaitis as a defensive graduate assistant. The three-time All-American, who also spent eight years in the NFL, is serving as Ohio State’s assistant linebackers coach.

“Whereas I may have coached the position one way, he can say, ‘Well, this is how I did it, this is how we did it in the NFL, this is what helped me make plays,'” second-year Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said. “He can say ‘I made a lot of plays using this technique.’ So, the system is going to be the system, but he can bring a lot of new things to our players, and that will be good for them.”

Knowles has been coaching since the late ’80s. He offers experience that’s hard to come by. But, because of Laurinaitis’ success as a player in both college and the NFL, he demands immediate respect in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. The combination of Knowles and Laurinaitis makes for quite the linebacker room, one that was already spearheaded by veteran leaders.

For the full story, go here.

RELATED

• Now immersed in Buckeyes defense, free-spirited Steele Chambers in pursuit of free-flowing 2023

• Breaking down PFF stats to know about key Buckeyes linebackers

Decision day looms for Ohio State cornerback target Miles Lockhart

Four-star Chandler (Ariz) Basha cornerback Miles Lockhart will announce his decision Thursday at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Signs are pointing to him committing to the Buckeyes, but he’s choosing between Ohio State, Oregon, Wisconsin and Northwestern, among other schools.

The No. 38 cornerback this cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, Lockhart took only one official visit this summer, and that OV was to Ohio State.

In total, he’s been to the Ohio State campus four times during his recruitment.

Lettermen Row has more information on Lockhart, as well as details on other targets, here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 58 days

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 142 days

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