The Ohio State basketball program doesn't typically play many in-state opponents during the season. They don't have any Big Ten opponents in the state, so any Ohio teams they play would be in non-conference games. If they do play some in-state foes, it's usually Akron or Kent State.
It's very rare that the Buckeyes play one of the better teams in the state of Ohio. They don't play Cincinnati very often, nor do they play Dayton. In fact, the Ohio State Buckeyes have only played Dayton in the regular season one time in their history, and that was back in 2008.
It doesn't look like that will change this season. Ohio State doesn't typically schedule those kinds of games. They don't schedule games with Xavier very often, either. They also have only played once in the regular season, and that was back in 2021 when the Buckeyes won.
The Ohio State basketball team needs to face more of the best teams in the state of Ohio
As an Ohio native, Jake Diebler should make it more of a priority to play some of the best teams in the state. It's good for fans of college basketball, and it would be good for the Buckeyes, too. They would get a little more competition out of their non-conference schedule.
Now that the Big Ten has expanded and 20 conference games will be played, it's less likely that the Buckeyes will schedule quality in-state opponents. It doesn't make as much sense to do that for their NCAA Tournament resume when they play in such a grueling conference.
The Buckeyes would certainly get fans in the Schott if they were able to bring in some of the best programs in the state to play. It would help them with the attendance problem that they had last year.