The CBS Sports Classic is getting a bit of a facelift-and Ohio State is still right in the thick of it.
Since the event tipped off in 2014, the Buckeyes have been a mainstay in this marquee in-season showcase, which has annually featured four powerhouse programs squaring off in a rotating format. For over a decade, Ohio State has lined up alongside blue-blood giants like Kentucky, North Carolina, and UCLA. But with some conference realignment shaking up the college basketball landscape, the Classic is making a notable change.
UCLA’s move to the Big Ten created a bit of a scheduling conflict. With both the Bruins and Buckeyes now conference foes, the idea of them facing off in what's supposed to be a non-conference showcase started to lose its appeal. So rather than reshuffling within the group, the Classic made a bigger move-UCLA is out, and Kansas is in.
That’s right: the Jayhawks, one of the most storied programs in college basketball history, will now join the CBS Sports Classic rotation. With Kansas representing the Big 12, the event now boasts a representative from each of the four major conferences-Big Ten (Ohio State), SEC (Kentucky), ACC (North Carolina), and Big 12 (Kansas). It’s a move that not only balances the field geographically but also keeps the level of competition sky-high.
So what does this mean for Ohio State? Next season, the Buckeyes will square off against Kansas at Madison Square Garden-one of the sport’s most iconic stages. After that, they’ll take on Kentucky in 2027, face UCLA again in 2028, and then get another shot at Kansas in 2029.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. Among this group of perennial powerhouses, Ohio State might not carry the same “blue-blood” label.
They don’t have the same national championship pedigree or decades of dominance that define programs like Kentucky, UNC, or Kansas. But don’t let that fool you-Ohio State has more than held its own in this event.
In fact, the Buckeyes are 6-5 all-time in CBS Sports Classic matchups, with the only missing year being 2020, when the game was canceled due to COVID. That’s a winning record against some of the sport’s most elite programs. Say what you will about tradition and legacy, but Ohio State has consistently shown they can compete on this stage.
And that’s what makes their continued presence in the Classic valuable-not just for the Buckeyes, but for college basketball fans. Every year, this event delivers high-level hoops in a neutral-site setting, often with March Madness implications. Ohio State’s inclusion keeps the competition fierce and the matchups compelling.
So while the lineup may look a little different going forward, the mission of the CBS Sports Classic remains the same: bring together some of the best programs in the country and let them battle it out on a national stage. With Kansas stepping in and Ohio State staying the course, the tradition continues-with a fresh twist.