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Ohio State Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Buckeyes

By Tristan Freeman

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 19: The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate a basket against the Kentucky Wildcats during their game at the CBS Sports Classic at the Barclays Center on December 19, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 19: The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate a basket against the Kentucky Wildcats during their game at the CBS Sports Classic at the Barclays Center on December 19, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – JANUARY 21: Ohio State’s Thompson
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – JANUARY 21: Ohio State’s Thompson /

Key Non-Conference games

Nov. 16 Texas Southern

Nov. 24-26 Gonzaga, Stanford/Florida, Duke/Texas/Butler/Portland State (PK80)

Nov 29. Clemson (Big Ten/ACC challenge)

Dec 23. North Carolina (CBS Sports Classic)

Ohio State did the very best they could to make this the softest schedule they could while still fulfilling their contractual agreements. For the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, Clemson is a great draw for them compared to someone like North Carolina.

Still, Ohio State deserves credit for staying in the PK80 invitational despite having little chance to succeed. Georgetown, for instance, decided to leave the tournament in hopes of an easier non-conference schedule, which they definitely accomplished.

While they stand no chance against the Zags or Gators, the seventh-place game against Portland State could give them a win in the event.

The key to this schedule that includes no road games is to avoid any potential embarrassing losses. Regardless of the state of the program, anytime Ohio State loses to a school in the MEAC, it’s a problem for the coaching staff.

Conference games

Dec. 2 @ Wisconsin

Dec. 4 vs. Michigan

Jan. 7 vs. Michigan State

Jan. 22 vs. Nebraska

Feb. 20 vs. Rutgers

Conference play will be bizarre for the Big Ten this year. Not only will the conference tournament be played a week earlier, but teams will have to cram a couple of league games in early December to accommodate the awkward scheduling.

The real battle for the Buckeyes will be to avoid rock bottom. Rutgers, Nebraska, Illinois and Ohio State look to be least talented of the conference. It might not seem like much, but finishing a few spots above could be the difference between players staying or leaving.

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