The University of Massachusetts Minutemen Men’s Basketball team is set to face off against Ohio on Tuesday, January 6, at 6:00 p.m. The match will take place at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio, and will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network.
Historically, Massachusetts has enjoyed a strong track record against Ohio, winning all three of their prior encounters. The first meeting occurred during the 1975-76 season at the Hall of Fame Tournament in Springfield, Massachusetts, where the Minutemen triumphed 95-82. The teams later rekindled the rivalry with a home-and-home series in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, where Massachusetts recorded victories of 85-76 and 83-71 on December 19, 2012, and December 18, 2013, respectively.
In their most recent outing, Massachusetts faced a tough challenge from Bowling Green, narrowly losing 101-100 in overtime. Graduate student Leonardo Bettiol had a standout performance, scoring 32 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, marking his third double-double of the season. K’Jei Parker contributed significantly as well, scoring 21 points on 6-for-9 shooting. Other players reaching double figures included Daniel Hankins-Sanford and Marcus Banks Jr., who added 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Ohio heads into the game with a record of 8-7 overall and 2-1 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). They are coming off a narrow 68-67 victory against Eastern Michigan, showcasing their competitive spirit. Leading the Bobcats is Jackson Paveletzke, who averages 17.0 points per game, ranking sixth in the MAC.
This season marks the fourth year for head coach Frank Martin at the helm of the Minutemen. Under his leadership, UMass achieved a notable 20-11 record in 2023-24, their best season since 2014, and secured a top-four spot in the Atlantic 10 Championship. Bettiol’s impressive performance has also positioned him among the top players in the conference, as he currently ranks second in shooting percentage.
The Minutemen will look to leverage their strong rebounding—leading the MAC with a +7.1 rebounding average and ranking first in defensive three-point shooting percentage at an impressive 26.5%. With four players averaging in double figures for scoring, Massachusetts aims to continue building momentum as they approach upcoming home games, including a matchup against Ball State on January 10 at 3:30 p.m.
Fans can follow the action live through various platforms, including updates on UMass Athletics and social media channels. As the Minutemen prepare for this pivotal game against Ohio, there is a sense of optimism that they can translate their historical success into another winning performance on the road.