Ohio State Seeks Redemption Against Evansville After Texas A&M Loss

The Ohio State men’s basketball team is set to host the Evansville Purple Aces from the Missouri Valley Conference this Tuesday night at Value City Arena. The game offers the Buckeyes a chance to recover from their recent defeat against Texas A&M, which saw them fall out of the AP Top 25 rankings.

The Buckeyes, currently holding a 2-1 record, faced a setback last Friday with a 78-64 loss at Texas A&M, previously ranked No. 23. During that game, Ohio State struggled with shooting, achieving just 34 percent overall and 27 percent from the three-point line. In post-game comments, Coach Chris Holtmann emphasized the need for improvement in shooting decisions and on-court dynamics following the defeat.

Ohio State will enter Tuesday’s matchup without a full roster, as guard Meechie Johnson remains questionable due to an injury sustained at Texas A&M. Centers Felix Okpara and forward Brice Sensabaugh were both absent from the Texas A&M game, posing possible challenges for the Buckeyes’ defensive play.

The Evansville Purple Aces, standing at 1-3 for the season, have yet to encounter a team from a power conference this year. Despite their struggles, Evansville boasts promising players such as freshman Gabriel Pozzato, who leads with an average of 19.3 points per game, highlighting their potential threat to Ohio State’s defensive strategies.

This contest will mark the fifth meeting between Ohio State and Evansville, dating back to their first encounter in 1935. Ohio State has historically dominated this series, winning all past matchups, including their most recent in 1976.

The game, which tips off at 7 p.m. Eastern Time, will be available for streaming on Big Ten Network-Plus. It represents Ohio State’s sole game on the platform for this season, with options for fans to purchase access and tickets through Ohio State’s Athletics Ticket Office.

Looking ahead, the Buckeyes are eyeing a series of home games against other mid-major programs, an opportunity Coach Holtmann suggests is crucial for building the team’s chemistry and addressing issues highlighted in previous performances. The strategy includes focusing on improving their shooting consistency and handling turnovers more effectively.

«This stretch is key for us,» said Holtmann on Monday. «We’re working to ensure the team is learning and growing together, which is invaluable as we progress through the season.»