If you’re anything like me, your mood basically hinges on whether the Buckeyes are winning. We just watched that tough loss to Miami in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve, and honestly, it’s still a little bit of a sting. But that’s the life of a Columbus fan. You move on, you look at the calendar, and you start asking when does Ohio State play next because the season never truly ends.
While the pads are being tucked away for spring ball, the Schottenstein Center is heating up. If you're looking for the very next time a Buckeye team takes the floor, you don't have to wait long.
The Immediate Answer: Men’s Basketball Takes the Stage
Right now, the spotlight is firmly on Jake Diebler’s squad. They are smack in the middle of a brutal Big Ten gauntlet. If you are reading this on Saturday morning, January 17, 2026, get your gear ready.
Ohio State men’s basketball plays UCLA today, January 17, at 1:00 PM EST. This isn't just any game. It’s a home game at the Schottenstein Center, and with UCLA being one of the newer additions to the conference, the energy is going to be weird and electric. We’re still getting used to seeing those West Coast logos on our court, aren't we?
If you miss today’s tip-off, the schedule stays busy:
- January 20 (Tuesday): Minnesota comes to Columbus for a 6:30 PM tip.
- January 23 (Friday): The big one. The Buckeyes head to Ann Arbor to face Michigan at 8:00 PM.
- January 26 (Monday): A home stand against Penn State at 7:00 PM.
Women’s Basketball is On Fire
Don't sleep on the women's team. They’ve been playing some of the most cohesive basketball in the country lately. Their next big test is a neutral site clash.
On Monday, January 19, 2026, the Ohio State women's basketball team faces TCU at the Prudential Center in Newark. That’s a noon tip-off, so it’s a perfect excuse to "work from home" and have the game on a second monitor. They follow that up with a massive home game against Indiana on January 22 at 8:00 PM.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Football Schedule
I know, I know. You want to know about the shoe. Even though we’re months away from the smell of tailgate charcoal, the 2026 football schedule is already set in stone, and it looks a lot different than years past.
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The 2025 season ended with a 12-2 record after that Big Ten Championship loss to Indiana and the CFP Quarterfinal exit. Looking forward, the non-conference slate for 2026 is actually pretty spicy.
- September 5: The season opener against Ball State at Ohio Stadium.
- September 12: A massive road trip to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns. This is the second half of the home-and-home, and after beating them 14-7 in Columbus last year, the atmosphere in Texas is going to be hostile.
- September 19: Back home for Kent State.
The Big Ten schedule for 2026 is going to be a gauntlet. We're looking at road games at Iowa and USC—which, let's be real, are two of the toughest places to play for completely different reasons. Iowa is a defensive nightmare in the cold, and USC is just a long, exhausting flight.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Schedule
A lot of fans think that because the "Big Three" sports (Football, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball) get the headlines, nothing else is happening. That’s just not true. Today, January 17, is actually one of the busiest days in Buckeye athletics history.
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Aside from basketball, you've got:
- Men's Volleyball hosting Long Beach State.
- Women's Gymnastics traveling to Rutgers.
- Swim and Dive hosting a meet in Columbus.
- Men's and Women's Track competing at the Michigan Invitational.
Basically, if you wear Scarlet and Gray, someone is competing today.
Why This Stretch Matters
The end of January is where seasons are made or broken in the Big Ten. For the men's basketball team, specifically, this UCLA-Minnesota-Michigan stretch determines if they’re looking at a high seed in the tournament or if they’re sweating it out on the bubble come March.
Losing to Washington last week (81-74) hurt. It showed some gaps in our perimeter defense that need to be closed immediately. Bruce Thornton has been a warrior, but he needs more consistent help from the wing if we're going to keep pace with the top of the conference.
Actionable Steps for the True Fan
If you’re trying to keep track of when does Ohio State play next without constantly Googling it, here’s how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Download the Official App: The Ohio State Buckeyes app (Ohio State Athletics) allows you to sync specific team calendars directly to your phone. It’s much faster than checking a website.
- Check the "Composite Schedule": If you go to the official athletics site, look for the "Composite" link. It shows every single sport—from Rifle to Fencing—in one chronological list.
- Ticket Strategy: For the upcoming Michigan game on February 8 (the home version), prices are already skyrocketing on secondary markets. If you're planning to go, buy now. Don't wait until the week of.
- Watch the B1G+ Listings: A lot of the smaller sports and mid-week games move to the B1G+ streaming service rather than the main Big Ten Network. Check your subscription status before the game starts so you aren't scrambling at kickoff.
The Buckeyes are always playing. Whether it's the hardwood today or the gridiron in September, there's always a reason to sing "Across the Field." Get your TV remote ready, or better yet, get down to the Schottenstein Center and yell until your throat hurts.
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Check the tip-off times one more time before you head out, as TV networks love to flex these games at the last minute for the national broadcasts. Stay tuned to the local 97.1 The Fan for live updates if you're stuck in traffic on 315.