Ohio State and Virginia Face Off in Nashville Hoops Showdown

The Buckeyes and Cavaliers meet in a key non-conference matchup with NCAA Tournament implications.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Ohio State will take on No. 15 Virginia in the Nashville Hoops Showdown tonight at 8 p.m. EST. This marks the latest in a season Ohio State has faced a non-conference opponent since 1987, and the opportunity brings the Buckeyes a crucial chance to get a Quad 1 win against a strong ACC team. Both teams have faced off against several common opponents this season, setting the stage for a competitive game between the two squads.

Why it matters

This game represents an important non-conference test for Ohio State as they look to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume. A win over the highly-ranked Cavaliers would be a significant boost for the Buckeyes, who have struggled with consistency and physicality at times this season. For Virginia, this is a chance to pick up another quality win and maintain their standing in the ACC.

The details

Virginia leads the ACC in offensive rebounding, averaging 14.3 per game, which could present a major problem for an Ohio State team that has struggled on the boards at times. The Buckeyes will need to show more physicality and do a better job of boxing out to limit the Cavaliers' second-chance opportunities. Both teams have faced off against several common opponents this season, with Ohio State and Virginia playing Northwestern, Notre Dame, and UNC very similarly. Despite some outliers against Pitt and Maryland, the two teams match up well stylistically, setting the stage for a competitive game.

  • The game is scheduled for tonight, February 14, 2026 at 8 p.m. EST.
  • This marks the latest in a season Ohio State has faced a non-conference opponent since 1987.

The players

Jake Diebler

The head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“This is a team that needs reminded about how important it is.”

— Jake Diebler, Head Coach, Ohio State Buckeyes (si.com)

“Although their defensive physicality has lacked some consistency, I'm proud of the way his team was more physical against USC, and he believes they're heading in the right direction before facing Virginia.”

— Jake Diebler, Head Coach, Ohio State Buckeyes (si.com)

What’s next

The winner of this game will gain a significant boost to their NCAA Tournament resume, while the loser will need to regroup and focus on conference play.

The takeaway

This game between Ohio State and Virginia represents a crucial non-conference matchup with major implications for both teams' postseason aspirations. The Buckeyes will need to address their rebounding and physicality issues to have a chance against the Cavaliers' strong offensive rebounding team, setting the stage for an intriguing clash of styles in Nashville.