Chris Holtmann, Ohio State Buckeyes Open to More 'Home-and-Homes' with In-State Teams

Holtmann said on Tuesday he has "not shied away" from playing other Ohio teams previously, and is open to more games against the rest of the state in the future.

Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball fans might want to start getting familiar with some of the other teams around the state.

Buckeyes coach Chris Holtmann told reporters he was open to the idea of scheduling more 'home-and-home' series with in-state opponents during a press conference on Tuesday previewing this weekend's exhibition against the Dayton Flyers.

When asked if the Flyers could be the next team with which Ohio State books a there-then-here series, Holtmann was receptive of the idea. The sixth-year Buckeyes head coach even recalled a similar scenario from earlier in his tenure with another southern-Ohio school.

"I think it's got real possibilities," Holtmann said. "You guys know I've not shied away from playing people in-state by any stretch. We did a Cincinnati home-and-home, so we'll certainly consider doing it again with Dayton, if it works out."

The aforementioned home-and-home between the Buckeyes and Bearcats was played between 2018 and 2019, starting off at the then-brand-new Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ohio State won that game, 64-56.

The Buckeyes also bested the Bearcats the following year in Columbus, Ohio, defending the Schottenstein Center by the very same score, 64-56

Holtmann then revealed his criteria for teams with whom Ohio State scheduled home-and-homes, adding the Flyers fit that list to a T.

"My philosophy on home-and-homes is we would like to play good, tournament-type teams in non-conference games," Holtmann said. "That's what we want. That's what we've typically scheduled, and they're certainly in that caliber, for sure."

Ohio State's pre-season, exhibition game against Dayton tips off at 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 22. Live coverage of the game will air over the Ohio State Sports Network from Learfield.