Cleveland is set to host an exciting non-conference showdown as Ohio State takes on West Virginia at Rocket Arena on December 13, 2025. The matchup, which tips off at 8 p.m., will be broadcast live on ESPNU, with commentary from John Schriffen and King McClure. Fans can also catch the action on the Ohio State Radio Network, with play-by-play provided by Paul Keels and former Buckeye captain Ron Stokes.
This will mark the 19th meeting between the two teams, with Ohio State currently holding a narrow lead in the all-time series at 10-8. However, the recent history has favored the Mountaineers, who have claimed victory in eight of the last ten encounters. The battle in Cleveland has seen both teams share the spoils; West Virginia edged out a victory in 2019 with a score of 67-59, while Ohio State secured a thrilling overtime win in 2023, finishing 78-75, thanks in large part to Roddy Gayle Jr.’s career-high 32 points.
As the Buckeyes head into this matchup, they are looking to bounce back from a challenging 88-80 loss to No. 13 Illinois, where standout guard Bruce Thornton delivered an impressive performance. He scored 34 points while pulling in six rebounds and dishing out six assists. Thornton’s shooting accuracy has been remarkable this season, boasting a 55.6% success rate from distance, ranking him third in the country. He’s also shooting 62.3% overall, placing him among the top shooters in the Big Ten and nationally.
Alongside Thornton, Ohio State’s scoring arsenal includes Christoph Tilly, averaging 13.8 points and leading the team with 5.3 rebounds. John Mobley Jr. has also made a mark, contributing 13.7 points per game with 20 three-pointers to his name. Devin Royal rounds out the quartet, scoring 13.6 points per game with an impressive three-point shooting percentage nearing 40%. Collectively, the Buckeyes rank 10th in the nation for effective field goal percentage at 60.1%.
On the other side of the court, West Virginia started their season strong with five consecutive victories, including a commanding 71-49 win over Pitt. They have experienced a mixed run with a 3-3 record in their last six games but are coming off a significant 90-58 triumph over Little Rock. The Mountaineers’ defense is noteworthy, currently ranked third in the nation by allowing only 58.4 points per game, highlighting their capability to stifle their opponents.
Fans interested in attending the game can purchase tickets through the Ohio State’s official athletics website or contact the Ohio State Athletics Ticket Office for options including season, single-game, and group plans. As both teams prepare for what promises to be a riveting contest, the stakes are high with a compelling blend of talent and rivalry on display.
