Ohio State Adds North Carolina, Notre Dame To 2025-26 Nonconference Schedule

Ohio State added two noteworthy Power Four teams to its 2025-26 nonconference schedule, with the Buckeyes set to face off against North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic held in Atlanta on Dec. 20 and Notre Dame in Columbus at a date to be determined at a later date. 

Ohio State’s matchup with North Carolina is part of a new-look CBS Sports Classic field that this season features St. Johns instead of UCLA. Rick Pitino-led St. Johns will face off with Kentucky, while the Buckeyes will match up with the blue blood Tar Heels for the fourth time in the event, which started in 2014. Ohio State is 0-3 against North Carolina in the classic, with its latest loss coming in overtime in 2022 at Madison Square Garden by a score of 89-84. 

Despite their winless record against the Tar Heels, Ohio State has experienced success in the event, going 6-4 in its 10 meetings, the second-best record out of the four teams that have played in it thus far (trailing North Carolina, 7-4). The Buckeyes have won two straight CBS Sports Classic games, defeating UCLA 67-60 in 2023 at Atlanta and No. 4 Kentucky 85-65 in 2024 at Madison Square Garden. 

Notre Dame will travel to Columbus for just the second time in history, the first occurring on Nov. 16, 1999, when the Troy Murphy-led Fighting Irish defeated the Michael Redd-led Buckeyes 59-57 to open the 1999-2000 season. The two historic programs have squared off just  four times in their history, the latest occurring on Dec. 8, 2020, when Ohio State came away with a 90-85 road victory in South Bend, Ind., behind 19 points and 12 rebounds from E.J. Liddell. 

This upcoming matchup is the start of a home-and-home series between the two programs, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, with the Buckeyes set to travel to Notre Dame in 2026-27. Notre Dame, led by former Penn State head coach Micah Shrewberry, is coming off a disappointing 15-18 season and 8-12 mark in the ACC, its third straight losing season. 

The only other expected nonconfernece game on the 2025-26 schedule for Ohio State next season is a road contest at Pittsburgh, which will complete a home-and-home series that began last season when the Panthers defeated the Buckeyes 91-90 in overtime on Nov. 29, 2024.

Ohio State is expected to announce its full nonconference slate later this summer.