So, you’re looking at the ohio university basketball schedule and trying to figure out if this is the year Jeff Boals finally cracks the code again. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster lately in Athens. Honestly, if you aren’t paying close attention to the Mid-American Conference (MAC) shifts this year, you’re gonna be confused when you see some of the names popping up on the calendar.
Things feel different at the Convo. Basically, the league decided to shake things up by adding UMass to the mix, which means the road to Cleveland for the MAC Tournament just got a lot more crowded.
The Grind: Breaking Down the Remaining Schedule
We’ve already seen some wild swings this season. From that tough road trip to Louisville back in November to the gritty overtime win against St. Bonaventure in Cleveland, the Bobcats have been tested. But the heart of the season is happening right now.
If you’re planning your Tuesday nights, keep January 20 circled. That’s when Northern Illinois comes to the Convocation Center. It’s a 7:00 PM EST tip-off. These midweek MAC games are usually where the season is won or lost. You’ve also got a massive home game against Akron on Friday, January 23 at 8:00 PM. That one’s going to be loud.
Here is what the immediate horizon looks like for the men’s team:
- Jan 27: At Kent State. This is the only time they meet this season. Kind of a bummer since it's usually a massive rivalry, but that’s the new schedule for you.
- Jan 31: At Buffalo. A 2:00 PM afternoon matinee.
- Feb 3: Western Michigan at home.
- Feb 14: The "Battle of the Bricks" starts in Oxford. Going to Miami is never easy, but the Bobcats usually travel well for that one.
One thing that’s sorta weird? The bye weeks. Because of the MAC-SBC Challenge and the uneven number of teams, there are some gaps in February. Don't panic if you don't see a game for a week; it's just the schedule breathing.
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The UMass Factor
Seriously, having UMass in the MAC is a total curveball. Ohio heads to Amherst on March 3. It’s the first time they’ve played there since... forever? Actually, it’s the first time since 2013, and the Bobcats are historically 0-3 against the Minutemen. Breaking that streak on the road right before the regular-season finale against Miami (March 6) will be huge for momentum.
Who Is Actually Carrying This Team?
You can’t talk about the ohio university basketball schedule without talking about the guys actually playing the minutes. After losing AJ Clayton, there was a massive hole in the middle. Jeff Boals went to the portal and grabbed Javan Simmons from Toledo.
Think about that for a second. Taking a redshirt junior forward from a conference rival is a power move. Simmons has been the low-post presence they desperately needed.
Then you have Jackson Paveletzke. If you watched him late last year, you saw the confidence growing. He’s basically the engine right now. When he’s hitting his shots and finding Simmons in the paint, this team looks like they could actually win the whole thing in Cleveland.
What About the Women's Schedule?
The women’s team is on a bit of a tear themselves. Their schedule is actually pretty fan-friendly this year because 10 of their 16 home games are on weekends.
They just came off a high-scoring win against Eastern Michigan (96-87) and have a big home date against Northern Illinois on January 17. If you haven't seen Bailey Tabeling play yet, you're missing out. She’s been a consistent spark. They also have a "Rufus Field Trip Game" vibe some mornings, which brings a ton of local kids into the Convo. It gets piercingly loud, but the energy is infectious.
Tickets and Getting to the Convo
If you’re looking to go, tickets aren't as expensive as you’d think. Honestly, you can usually find seats for around $11 to $17 for the "smaller" MAC games.
- Mini-Plans: The school offers a five-game plan that covers the big ones: Marshall, Bowling Green, Akron, Toledo, and Miami. It ranges from $45 to $120.
- Single Games: If you just want to walk up, you’re looking at about $25-$30 for the premium matchups like Akron or Miami.
- Pro Tip: Park at the Convocation Center lots if you can, but get there early. The 2026 season has seen better attendance, and those lots fill up fast.
Why the MAC Tournament Matters More This Year
The regular season is basically a giant audition for March 12-14. That’s when everyone heads to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.
The goal isn't just to be "good." The goal is to finish in the top four to get that better seeding. With UMass in the mix, the math is different. You can't afford to drop home games against teams like Western Michigan or Buffalo. Every game on the ohio university basketball schedule from here on out has massive implications for that Wednesday-through-Saturday sprint in Cleveland.
Critical Next Steps for Fans
If you want to keep up without getting lost in the weeds, here is what you should actually do:
- Sync the Calendar: Go to the official Ohio Athletics site and download the calendar file to your phone. The MAC loves to flex game times for TV (especially for ESPN2 or CBS Sports Network), and a 7:00 PM game can turn into an 8:00 PM game pretty quickly.
- Watch the MAC-SBC Challenge: Keep an eye on the February matchups. These "bracket-buster" style games against Sun Belt teams determine a lot of the mid-major respect the conference gets heading into Selection Sunday.
- Check the "Battle of the Bricks" status: The March 6 home finale against Miami will likely sell out. If you haven't bought those tickets by mid-February, you'll be stuck paying double on the secondary market.
The Bobcats have the talent to be in the conversation. It's just a matter of whether they can handle the weird travel schedule and the new conference faces. Grab a green jersey, get to the Convo, and keep an eye on those Tuesday night scores.