Ohio State vs Cincinnati Exhibition Game Recap: Bearcats Rally for 79-68 Outdoor Win

Our ohio state vs cincinnati exhibition game recap begins somewhere no basketball game belongs. Wednesday afternoon in Mason, Ohio — warm for October, sun glaring off everything — the Buckeyes and Bearcats tipped off on a court rolled out over Center Court at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Yes, the tennis place. Both head coaches in sunglasses. For the first 30 minutes it looked like Ohio State would cruise out of there with an easy exhibition win. Then the second half started, and Cincinnati made it very clear: exhibition or not, this was a game you could lose.

Final: Cincinnati 79, Ohio State 68. The Bearcats flipped a halftime deficit into an 11-point win in the CareSource Invitational — part of an outdoor doubleheader with Dayton and Xavier playing later that night — by outscoring the Buckeyes 49-33 after the break. Tylen Riley went for a game-high 23, with 18 of those coming in the second half. Tyler Tejada added 17. A nine-point Ohio State lead turned into an 11-point Cincinnati win, and honestly it wasn't that close at the end.

Basketball on a Tennis Court

Sounds like a gimmick. It wasn't. The CareSource Invitational put four of Ohio's high-major programs — Ohio State, Cincinnati, Dayton, Xavier — on one outdoor court, with the whole thing raising money and awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. The Lindner Family Tennis Center finished a $260 million campus overhaul back in August 2025. Wednesday was the first time basketball had ever been played on the 40-acre site.

And the conditions were flat-out weird. Sun so bright both coaches never took the shades off. Ohio State shot straight into it in the second half. Anything from outside the paint had to fight the wind too. A 3 p.m. tip meant the glare kept shifting as the afternoon went on. You could see both coaching staffs basically throw the practice charts out — and man, did both teams shoot like it.

Buckeyes in Control Early

For the first 30 minutes, this looked like Ohio State's game to win. The Buckeyes led 35-30 at halftime and held the lead for 22 consecutive minutes, stretching from the middle of the first half to inside the 10-minute mark of the second. At one point the advantage reached nine points, and with about 10 minutes left Ohio State was up 56-49 and appeared to be in control.

Junior guard John Mobley Jr. did most of the early damage — 15 points, 10 before halftime. Best shot of the afternoon? Mobley, stepback three, staring right into the sun. Nothing but net, 49-42, 13:36 to go. Amare Bynum brought the juice inside too — at one point he snatched a loose ball and threw it down to make it 54-49 with 11:36 left.

The freshmen got their moments too. Prized recruit Anthony Thompson — the McDonald's All-American from nearby Lebanon, Ohio, and the preseason Big Ten freshman of the year — made his public debut in a Buckeye uniform just one interstate exit from his hometown. Five-star freshman LJ Smith got a clean look from the right wing early in the second half when fifth-year senior Jimmie Williams pushed the ball and kicked it out with Ohio State up eight. It was exactly the shot Ohio State's offense is designed to create. Smith bricked it. As it turned out, so did almost everyone else.

The Collapse: 30-12 Over the Final 10 Minutes

What happened next is the part Jake Diebler's staff will be watching on film. Leading 56-49, Ohio State went cold at exactly the wrong time. Cincinnati scored seven straight to tie the game, capped by a Tyler Tejada putback of his own miss, and then kept going. A 19-6 Bearcat run, finished off by two Tylen Riley free throws with 4:08 left, made it 68-62. From there Cincinnati never looked back, outscoring the Buckeyes 30-12 over the final 10 minutes.

The numbers tell the story of a team that could not buy a basket. Ohio State finished 4-of-23 from three-point range — 17.4 percent — and the misses were not all contested. Diebler was blunt afterward: "We are a much better shooting team than 4-for-23, and I don't know how many airballs we had." He added that the staff felt the team generated quality looks: "I thought we manufactured some great looks, some wide-open looks. We wanted to shoot the right shots." The problem, as the afternoon made clear, was that the right shots for Ohio State's regular-season offense were often the wrong ones in these conditions.

Cincinnati was barely better from deep at 4-for-19, but the Bearcats solved the problem the old-fashioned way: they went inside. UC outscored Ohio State 48-32 in the paint and won the rebounding battle 45-35. When the threes would not fall for either team, Cincinnati had an answer and Ohio State did not.

Riley and Tejada Take Over

If there is a single reason Cincinnati won this game, it is the second-half takeover by its backcourt. Tylen Riley scored 18 of his game-high 23 points after halftime, and Tyler Tejada scored 15 of his 17 in the final 20 minutes. Center Jayden Hastings chipped in 16 points and six rebounds in just over 21 minutes of work.

"It was Tyler Tejada, Tylen Riley and Jayden," UC head coach Jerrod Calhoun said afterward. "That was really good basketball for a big portion of that second half." Riley, for his part, pointed to the roster's depth: "It can be anybody's night anytime. Myles Colvin went out early (injured). MJ (Collins) is out. We have a lot of threats. This is a dangerous team."

The sequence that flipped the game for good came with 8:21 left. Tejada, who had just two points at halftime, scored five straight to pull Cincinnati even at 56, then drew a fourth foul on Ohio State's Andrija Jelavic while converting inside to give the Bearcats a 58-56 lead — their first lead since it was 9-7. Ohio State briefly fought back to tie it at 62 on two Mobley free throws with 5:37 left, but Cincinnati had all the momentum and closed it out.

Injury Scares on Both Sides

The box score will not show it, but both teams left Mason holding their breath at different moments. Cincinnati's Myles Colvin tumbled out of bounds in the first half and played only 2:41, finishing with two points. The move was precautionary, and Calhoun said afterward that Colvin is expected to practice Friday. Javontae Campbell watched in a walking boot.

The scarier moment belonged to Ohio State. With 2:16 left, junior guard Justin Pippen — the Cal transfer expected to play a major role in the backcourt — drove hard, drew contact, and hit the floor heavily. He had his left ankle and foot examined by the training staff and watched the rest of the game from the bench. In an exhibition in early October, there is no reason to risk anything, but Pippen's health bears watching as the Buckeyes move toward their second exhibition against Butler on October 25.

What This Actually Means

Let's be real about what an October exhibition is worth. Zero, in the standings. Experimental lineups, circus conditions, and neither team showed anything close to its real playbook — Cincinnati ran 11 guys heavy minutes. Still. Exhibitions tell you things, and this one told us a few.

For Ohio State, the concern is not the shooting percentage — no team shoots 17 percent from three in a real gym, and Diebler is right that this roster is far better than that. The concern is what happened when the shots stopped falling: the Buckeyes had no counter. Cincinnati pounded the paint and the glass; Ohio State, shooting into the sun, kept firing from outside and got buried on the boards. Against Big Ten frontcourts, that formula will not survive November.

The free-throw shooting deserves a mention too. The game featured 50 combined fouls and 68 free throws, and Ohio State went just 20-for-36 (55.6 percent) from the stripe. In a tight Big Ten game, that is the difference between winning and losing.

For Cincinnati, this was a genuinely encouraging afternoon. The Bearcats entered the season 36th in Bart Torvik's projections — solid, but a tier below Ohio State at 17th — and they beat the Buckeyes by going through them physically in the second half. Calhoun, in his tenure leading the program, got a road-map win: when the perimeter game deserts you, win the paint and win the glass.

The Rivalry Context

They don't play often, but when they do it matters. Cincinnati beat Ohio State in the 1961 and 1962 national title games — that's still the whole rivalry in one sentence. The modern series picked back up in 2018: Ohio State opened at Cincinnati's renovated Fifth Third Arena — first on-campus meeting since 1921 — and the Buckeyes took that one plus the return game at the Schott the next year.

Lately, though, the exhibitions have belonged to the Bearcats. Cincinnati took the October 2024 charity exhibition 80-62. Wednesday makes it two straight preseason wins over the Buckeyes — neither one counts, both of them sting a little.

What's Next

Both teams have more preseason work ahead. Cincinnati faces another Big Ten opponent, Illinois, on October 17. Ohio State returns to Columbus to host Butler in an exhibition on October 25 before the games start counting for real — the Buckeyes open the regular season November 2 at BYU in Salt Lake City.

Diebler, in his third full season leading the program, has a roster blending returning starters Mobley and Bynum with transfers like Pippen, Williams, Curtis Givens, and Jelavic, plus a freshman class headlined by Thompson. Wednesday was the first public look at how those pieces fit. The fit was promising for 30 minutes and messy for 10. That is exactly what October basketball is for — finding out which is which before November arrives.

Watch the video below for a look at how the Lindner Family Tennis Center was transformed into an outdoor basketball venue for this one-of-a-kind event.

 

For more on the game, see the Columbus Dispatch live coverage from Mason, the Cincinnati Enquirer's recap of the Bearcat comeback, and Eleven Warriors' full box score breakdown. And check out our Ohio State vs Maryland football preview for this weekend's gridiron action.

Ohio State Back in the Top 5 of the AP Poll – Feels About Right

The new AP Poll is out and Ohio State has been placed at No. 5, so take note Buckeye fans. It is a two-spot rise from the No. 7 position they held in the wake of that hard-fought one-point defeat at Texas some weeks back. Saturday’s 42-19 dismantling of Illinois did the trick to put them back up there, which is only fitting given what we saw on the field.

Texas is still locked in at No. 1, then Georgia, Notre Dame, and Miami. Ohio State checks in right after them with a 3-1 record. Indiana dropped a spot to No. 6. The AP Top 25 voters moved the Buckeyes up while a few other teams stumbled, and now Ohio State is the highest-ranked Big Ten team again.

What Actually Moved the Needle

It wasn’t just the win – it was how they won. Jeremiah Smith put on a show with 12 catches, 217 yards, and four touchdowns. Julian Sayin was sharp too. That kind of performance against a conference opponent tends to get the attention of voters, even if the defense still gave up a few too many yards.

A lot of us were hoping for a bigger jump, but two spots is progress. The Buckeyes are rolling again after that early season hiccup, and the ranking reflects it.

Every single catch from Jeremiah Smith’s four-touchdown day – pure highlights.

Iowa Next, and the Road Gets Real

This ranking comes right before a big one. The Buckeyes head to Kinnick Stadium on Saturday to face a 4-0 Iowa team that’s now ranked No. 14. College GameDay will be there, the place will be rocking, and it’s the kind of road environment that can make or break a season early.

Win that one and the rankings will probably look even better next week. Drop it, and things get a lot louder around Columbus. Either way, the next few weeks are going to tell us a lot about this team. For the full breakdown of the Iowa matchup, check out our Iowa preview here on BrutusReport.

Rankings come and go, but it sure feels good seeing the Buckeyes back in the top five. Let’s see what they do with it. Go Bucks.

Former Ohio State Star Chris Olave Inks Massive Extension with New Orleans Saints

Chris Olave just landed one of the biggest paydays of his career. The former Buckeye wide receiver has agreed to a four-year extension with the New Orleans Saints that could be worth up to $132 million, including $90 million guaranteed. The average annual value comes in at $33 million, and the deal keeps him in New Orleans through the 2030 season.

Olave, who Ohio State fans remember well after he went 11th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, just wrapped up his best pro season yet, one that earned him second-team All-Pro honors in 2025. It's another example of a former Buckeye receiver getting paid handsomely at the next level, and there's no shortage of those lately.

Contract Details and Timeline

Before the new money kicks in, Olave still has to play out 2026 on his fifth-year option, worth roughly $15.5 million. Once the extension actually starts in 2027, it'll place him among the league's better-paid receivers, currently good for sixth in average annual value.

Getting to this point wasn't quick. Reports indicate the two sides worked through negotiations that dragged into the start of training camp. In the meantime, Olave scaled back his practice reps, a "hold-in," while the deal got hammered out. Now that it's done, he's expected to be back at full speed with the rest of the team.

Want the quick rundown on what this means for the Saints? This reaction video from Locked On Saints breaks it down well:

Olave's Path from Columbus to New Orleans

Olave made his name at Ohio State between 2018 and 2021, developing into one of the most productive pass-catchers the program has seen. He left Columbus as the school's all-time leader in touchdown receptions with 35, and he wasted little time carrying that success into the NFL, putting together three 1,000-yard seasons in his first four years.

2025 was easily his best year yet. He hauled in a career-high 100 catches for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns across 16 games, becoming only the second player in Saints history to crack the 100-reception mark in a season, joining Michael Thomas in that club.

It hasn't all been smooth sailing health-wise, he's dealt with multiple concussions during his career and a blood clot that sidelined him for the final game of last season. That he bounced back and still put up career numbers likely played a big part in convincing the Saints he's worth locking up long-term.

What It Means for Buckeye Fans

Ohio State just keeps churning out top-tier wide receiver talent, and Olave's new deal is the latest reminder of that. Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and others have already cashed in big, and the program's reputation as a receiver factory for the NFL keeps growing.

For more on former and current Buckeyes making waves in the pros, keep checking in with BrutusReport.com.

Looking Ahead

With his contract situation squared away, Olave can turn his full attention to 2026 and the Saints' offense, which is still taking shape around him. At 26, he's heading into his prime years with financial security locked in and a clear role as the focal point of New Orleans' passing attack.

Buckeye Nation will be keeping an eye on him as he continues building on an already strong NFL career.

Sydney Mobley to Ohio State: The Next Chapter for a Buckeye

Big Walnut High School standout Sydney Mobley is heading to the Ohio State women’s basketball program, and she’s not waiting around to get there. The five-star forward/center made her commitment official earlier this month, picking the Buckeyes over finalists Illinois and Virginia Tech. Even bigger news for the program: Mobley is reclassifying into the 2026 class, meaning she’ll be wearing Scarlet and Gray as early as the 2026-27 season.

From Sunbury Star to Columbus Commit

The 6-2 local product has been turning heads for years thanks to a rare mix of size, skill, and feel for the game. As a junior, she carried Big Walnut on deep postseason runs and picked up Ohio Ms. Basketball honors along the way. Reclassifying means she’ll graduate early and step onto campus right away, giving head coach Kevin McGuff an immediate jolt of size and talent for his roster.

Watch Sydney Mobley dominate in this highlight reel from her high school career:

Sydney Mobley leads Big Walnut to State Final 4 (27 & 10)

What Mobley Brings to the Buckeyes

She’s honestly far more than just a big frame down low — Mobley can step out and smack the shots in, bully her way to the rim , and grab rebounds against anybody like it’s nothing. Her game keeps rounding out, mixing raw physicality with that kind of touch, plus the perimeter comfort that’s weirdly hard to find in a player her size. For a program chasing Big Ten titles, and some national relevance, landing someone with her talent — along with her hometown ties — is a serious get .

Buckeye fans have been hoping for a while that a talent like this would stick around Ohio instead of leaving. Mobley’s decision delivers exactly that, and then some.

The Reclassification Impact

Jumping into the 2026 class fast-tracks Mobley’s college career, and it also gives Ohio State an extra year to build around her, which is a welcome wrinkle for roster planning. It’s just another sign there’s some real momentum forming for the women’s program heading into next season. And really it keeps up Ohio State’s hot streak on the recruiting trail too, across both the men’s and women’s programs, with no slowing down.

Why Ohio State? A Dream Come True

Mobley grew up in Sunbury surrounded by Buckeye Nation, so this one runs deep. Between her own comments and her family’s, it’s clear the idea of playing in front of hometown fans at Value City Arena was too strong to pass up. This isn’t just another commitment on the board — it’s a full-circle story for a player Ohio State offered years ago, one who took her time and landed right where it always seemed she might.

For more on Ohio State recruiting developments, check out our recent piece on LJ Smith’s surprise reclassification.

BrutusReport will continue tracking Mobley’s transition and everything else happening in Buckeye athletics. Welcome to Columbus, Sydney — the next chapter is going to be fun.

Mike Conley is heading to Boston. The veteran point guard has agreed to a one-year deal with the Celtics, setting up a milestone 20th NBA season at age 38. That puts him in rare company — only 13 other players in league history have ever played that long.

Conley's journey has taken him from Memphis, where the Grizzlies drafted him fourth overall back in 2007, to a stint with the Utah Jazz, and most recently three and a half seasons in Minnesota. Now he's bringing all that experience — the playmaking, the leadership, the championship pedigree — to a Celtics backcourt built to contend.

Few players in the league match his reputation for consistency and professionalism. He's picked up four NBA Sportsmanship Awards along the way, and after all these years, the Ohio State alum is still showing what it takes to last in a league that chews up careers.

Curtis Givens III Heads to Columbus: Why the Memphis Transfer Chose Ohio State Basketball

The college basketball transfer portal creates rapid movement during its opening period. One minute a player scores points for his local team the next he starts to prepare for his upcoming journey. Curtis Givens III who stands 6-foot-3 announced his commitment to Ohio State Buckeyes this week. Givens chose to join Jake Diebler's program after he played at LSU and Memphis because he believes it will help him advance his career. The evidence we have gathered until now shows that both parties involved establish a successful relationship through this arrangement.

Curtis Givens III in action (stock image for illustration)

From Memphis Roots to the Big Ten Spotlight

Givens isn't some unknown name scraping the bottom of the portal.  The Memphis native who came from Montverde Academy in Florida became a highly respected basketball prospect. He began his college career at LSU before transferring to his hometown school to compete for Penny Hardaway and the Tigers in the 2025-26 season.

Givens achieved major progress during his last season with Memphis. He recorded an average of 9.4 points and 2.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 43% from the field and 36.5% from three-point range. He started 15 games and showed his skills as a reliable combo guard through his ability to create his own shots and make open shots. The backcourt depth and experience requirements of the Buckeyes team make his statistics essential to their needs.

What Sold Givens on Ohio State?

The official visit to Columbus made a significant impact according to reports. Givens experienced the program's atmosphere while he toured the facilities and participated in discussions about basketball with Coach Diebler and the staff. Ohio State has been active in the portal this offseason, already adding pieces like Justin Pippen from Cal, Jimmie Williams from Duquesne, and Andrija Jelavic from Kentucky. The Buckeyes received their fourth transfer through Givens who will support their guard needs for the 2026-27 season.

The attraction of the program is easy to recognize. Ohio State provides Big Ten athletic events together with dedicated supporters who back their teams and students who want to learn from a coaching staff that focuses on building their skills. Givens has two years of eligibility left, which gives him time to carve out a real role and develop his shooting skills together with his overall game performance.

What Givens Brings to the Buckeyes

Givens meets the height and weight requirements for the guard position through his 6 feet 3 inches height and 185 pounds weight. His basketball skills enable him to handle the ball effectively while creating scoring chances for his teammates and reaching high scoring results during games when he shoots accurately. The Ohio State fanbase has expressed their desire for more dependable perimeter players and Givens can provide perimeter support from the bench or through potential starting opportunities which will depend on the team rotation setup.

He's not a finished product by any means — his efficiency and decision-making can still tighten up — but the upside is there. With two full seasons ahead, there's real potential for him to become a contributor who helps this team compete in a loaded Big Ten.

Looking Ahead for Ohio State Basketball

The portal moves have been interesting for the Buckeyes this cycle. Diebler and his staff attempt to construct their team from multiple transfers while they keep their existing players. Givens joins a group that includes Scottie Pippen's son and some other intriguing names, which should make for an athletic and versatile backcourt.

Of course, it's still early. The upcoming spring workouts and summer training and fall practice sessions will provide us with better information about how the new elements function together. The Buckeye Nation fans of the team now have another reason to believe that their program is heading toward a positive future.

If you enjoy watching traditional basketball defense combined with current offensive strategies Givens becomes a player who deserves your attention. Welcome to Columbus, CG3.

Related Reading: Official Ohio State Athletics Announcement

More from Brutus Report: Curtis Givens III Is Heading to Columbus – And the Timing Could Not Be Better for Ohio State

Ohio State's Five First-Round Gems: Buckeyes Headed to Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft

The special nature of spring in Columbus becomes evident through the red carpet invitation which five Ohio State Buckeyes receive for the NFL Draft. The five players which include Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Carnell Tate, and Kayden McDonald will all compete in the first round of the draft when they appear at the Pittsburgh event which starts on April 23. My experience watching this program has developed my ability to recognize talent, and the current group of players appears to be a once-in-a-generation recruitment which demonstrates why Ohio State produces NFL players at such a high rate.

The Historic Pipeline That's Turning Heads

If all five of these guys go in the first round — and the mocks say it's very likely — Ohio State ties its own school record for first-round picks in a single draft. Four of them (Downs, Reese, Styles, and Tate) are sitting in the top-15 conversation, with serious buzz about three or even all four cracking the top 10. That's not just good. That's legendary territory. The last time a school had four top-10 picks in one year? You have to go back decades. This is the kind of night that Buckeye fans will be talking about for years.

Defensive Dominance: The Heart of This Class

Start with the defense, because that's where the Buckeyes have been stacked lately. Caleb Downs, who transferred to the team and played safety, became the vital force driving secondary performance in his new role. He displays complete defensive range combined with exceptional ball-handling abilities and natural intuition, which enables him to compete as a top-five player in most mock drafts. The linebackers feature two players who stand at least 6 feet 4 inches tall and who recorded 4.46 seconds in their 40-yard dash during the Combine. With his 6.5 sacks from last season, Reese possesses edge-rushing abilities, while Styles functions as a versatile middle linebacker who excels at both run defense and pass protection. The defensive tackle does not receive as much media attention but he operated as the fundamental player who enabled all others to pursue tackles. NFL teams will be attracted to his combination of strength and relentless work ethic.

Carnell Tate: The Offensive Game-Changer

On the other side of the ball, Carnell Tate is the wide receiver prospect who currently attracts all the attention from NFL scouts. His speed does not make him the fastest player on the field but his exceptional skills in catching the ball and controlling his body and winning battles for the ball make him an elite athlete. He has been projected to become a top-10 draft pick who will immediately become the team's primary wide receiver. The highlights of his performance will accumulate on Sundays when he plays with an effective quarterback.

What This Means for Ryan Day and Buckeye Nation

Beyond the individual talent, this draft class is proof of the culture Ryan Day has built in Columbus. These aren't just five random dudes — they're the product of elite recruiting, development, and competition that pushes everyone to be great. For fans, it's exciting to see the next wave of Buckeyes going pro. For the program, it's fuel to keep the pipeline flowing. You can check out the full official draft details and order right here on NFL.com.

And if you're the type who likes to geek out on film (like I do), head over to this page on efilmroom.com for the in-depth breakdowns that show exactly why these five are headed for the first round.

Watch the Hype: Breakdown of the Top Buckeye Prospects

This breakdown video has been making the rounds — it's got the tape, the Pro Day reactions, and exactly why these guys are must-watch prospects. If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and hit play.

The main point is that Ohio State fans will enjoy April 23. The NFL draft selection will announce five players who the entire league considers draft prospects. Buckeye Nation, get ready to celebrate.