On Monday, it was revealed Ohio State would open its 2016-17 season against Navy in the Veterans Classic. Wednesday evening, another opponent on the Buckeyes' non-conference schedule for next season was revealed.
According to CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein, Ohio State will host Providence as part of the Gavitt Games. The date and time are still to be determined.
Ohio State will host Providence as part of the 2016 Gavitt Games, sources told @CBSSports. Official date and time TBD. #pcbb
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 13, 2016
What are the Gavitt Games, you ask?
Well, it's an eight-game series between teams from the Big Ten and Big East which started last season. It's similar to the annual ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Because the Big East only has eight teams in it, however, not all of the Big Ten teams play every season. Ohio State did not participate in the event last year.
The two conferences split a season ago, with the Big Ten and Big East each winning four times. Providence knocked off Illinois, 60-59, in last year's event.
The Friars, led by All-American guard and likely NBA lottery pick Kris Dunn, went 24-11 last season and finished tied for fourth in the Big East. Providence earned a No. 9 seed in the NCAA tournament and knocked off eighth-seeded USC before bowing out in the second round to top-seeded North Carolina.
In addition to the games against Navy and Providence, Ohio State also has a home game against Connecticut and a neutral-site game against UCLA (in Las Vegas as part of CBS Sports Classic) on its non-conference schedule. The Buckeyes will find out their opponent in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge at a later date.
