Ohio State Men's Basketball Faces USC in Key Matchup

Buckeyes look to bounce back at home after loss to Michigan

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Ohio State men's basketball team will host USC in a crucial regular season game as both teams fight for an NCAA Tournament spot. The Buckeyes are coming off a loss to No. 2 Michigan and will look to get back on track at home before a Valentine's Day matchup against Virginia.

Why it matters

This game is important for both Ohio State and USC as they jockey for position in the race to make the NCAA Tournament. A win could be a major boost for either team's postseason hopes.

The details

Ohio State is looking to bounce back after a lopsided 82-61 loss to No. 2 Michigan on Feb. 8. The Buckeyes will host USC, another team fighting for an NCAA Tournament berth, in this key regular season matchup.

  • The game will take place on February 11, 2026.
  • Ohio State is concluding a two-game homestand with this contest against USC.
  • The Buckeyes will then travel to Nashville to face ACC foe Virginia on Valentine's Day.

The players

Ohio State men's basketball team

The Ohio State Buckeyes are a Division I college basketball program that competes in the Big Ten Conference.

USC men's basketball team

The USC Trojans are a Division I college basketball program that competes in the Pac-12 Conference.

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What’s next

The winner of this game will take a big step towards securing an NCAA Tournament bid, while the loser will need to make a strong push down the stretch to earn a spot in the Big Dance.

The takeaway

This matchup between Ohio State and USC is a crucial one for both teams as they look to bolster their NCAA Tournament resumes. The Buckeyes will be looking to bounce back at home after a tough loss, while the Trojans aim to pick up a marquee road win.