So, you’re looking for the Scarlet and Gray today. Honestly, being a Buckeye fan is basically a full-time job given how many sports this school juggles at once. If you’re asking when does osu play today, you’re likely looking for the big basketball showdown at the Schott or maybe checking in on the ice rink.
Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. It’s a busy one in Columbus.
The Big One: Men’s Basketball vs. UCLA
The headliner today is definitely the men's basketball team. They are back home at Value City Arena (the Schottenstein Center) taking on a familiar foe that’s now a conference rival: the UCLA Bruins.
Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM ET.
If you aren't heading down to Lane Avenue to deal with the parking madness, you can catch this one nationally on CBS. Ian Eagle and Bill Raftery are on the call, so at least the commentary will be top-tier even if your blood pressure spikes during the second half. This is only the 15th time these two programs have ever met, and the all-time series is actually dead even at 7-7.
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The Buckeyes are coming off a West Coast trip and really need this win to stay afloat in the Big Ten standings. They’re currently sitting at 11-5 overall and 3-3 in the conference. Vegas has them as a slim 3.5-point favorite, so expect a tight one.
Buckeyes on the Ice: Women’s Hockey
If you’re more of a hockey person, the Ohio State women's hockey team is out on the road. They’ve been on an absolute tear lately.
Puck drop is at 4:02 PM ET.
They are playing at Minnesota State (Mankato). They actually just played them yesterday and handled business with a 7-4 win, so they’re looking for the sweep today. You can usually find the stream for these games on Big Ten Plus (B1G+) if you have a subscription.
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What About Ohio State Football?
I know, I know. It’s January. In the "old days," football would be long gone by now. But it’s 2026, and the playoff schedule is a different beast.
Ohio State does NOT play football today.
However, you should keep your Monday clear. The Buckeyes are actually slated for the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 19, 2026. That game kicks off at 7:30 PM ET. Today is likely a day of rest, light walk-throughs, and probably a lot of nervous energy for the players and the fans.
Other Buckeye Action Today
Because Ohio State is a massive athletic department, there are always smaller events happening that don't always make the front page of ESPN.
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- Women's Basketball: They aren't in action today; their next big window is usually mid-week or Sunday depending on the TV schedule.
- Wrestling: The mat Brutus is off today as well. They’ve got a dual against Northwestern scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday the 18th.
- Men's Hockey: The men's ice hockey team is in a bit of a gap in their schedule today, with their next big series against Notre Dame coming up next weekend.
Quick Gameday Checklist
If you are heading to the Schottenstein Center for the UCLA game, here’s the deal:
The doors usually open about 90 minutes before tip-off. Since it’s a 1:00 PM game, expect the crowds to start thickening around 11:30 AM. If you don't have a parking pass, the Gray lots are your best bet, but you'll be walking a bit.
For those watching at home, CBS is the place to be. If you're out and about, you can always tune into the Ohio State Radio Network (Learfield). Paul Keels is a legend for a reason—his voice basically sounds like Columbus in the winter.
The schedule for January is always a bit fluid with weather and TV flexes, but for today, 1:00 PM is your "don't miss" window.
To stay ready for the rest of the weekend, make sure your streaming apps are updated for Monday's National Championship game. It’s also a good idea to double-check the weather if you're driving to Mankato or staying local, as January in the Midwest rarely cooperates with travel plans.