Buckeyes Face West Virginia in Cleveland Showdown Saturday
Ohio State and West Virginia are set to face off this Saturday in a highly anticipated basketball showdown in Cleveland. The matchup will take place at Rocket Arena at 8 p.m. as part of the Cleveland Hoops Showdown.
Game Details
- Date: December 13, 2025
- Time: 8 p.m.
- Venue: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
- Broadcast: ESPNU and Ohio State Radio Network
Team History
This game marks the 19th meeting between Ohio State and West Virginia, with Ohio State leading the series 10-8. However, West Virginia has dominated recent encounters, winning eight of the last ten matchups. The two teams have previously met twice in Cleveland, with each team claiming a victory. In 2019, West Virginia triumphed 67-59, while Ohio State secured a thrilling 78-75 overtime win in 2023.
Key Players and Performance
Ohio State aims to bounce back after a tough 88-80 defeat against No. 13 Illinois. Bruce Thornton stood out in that game, scoring 34 points, including six three-pointers, and also contributing six rebounds and six assists. This performance makes him one of the few Buckeyes to achieve similar stats in the past 40 years.
Thornton’s shooting has been impressive this season, boasting a 55.6 percent success rate from beyond the arc, which ranks third nationally. His overall shooting percentage is at 62.3 percent, placing him among the top guards in the nation.
Other key contributors for the Buckeyes include Christoph Tilly, who averages 13.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game; John Mobley Jr., scoring 13.7 points per game; and Devin Royal, with an average of 13.6 points and nearly 40 percent shooting from three-point range. The team currently holds a remarkable 60.1 percent effective field goal percentage, ranking them 10th in the country.
West Virginia’s Recent Performance
West Virginia began the season strong with five consecutive victories, including a decisive 71-49 win against Pittsburgh. However, they have since gone 3-3, most recently defeating Little Rock 90-58 on Tuesday. The Mountaineers excel defensively, allowing just 58.4 points per game, ranking third nationally in scoring defense.
As these two teams prepare for their Cleveland showdown, fans can expect an exciting and competitive game filled with potential standout performances from both sides.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the game, along with season, single-game, group, and mini plans, are available through the Ohio State Athletics Ticket Office. Fans can visit El-Balad.com for more details and ticket purchases.
