The Ohio State basketball team will have something brand new next season

In an effort to attract more fans, the Ohio State basketball team will have something brand new in the Schott this season.
Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) streals a ball in front of Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Rollie Worster (24) during the second half of the NCAA men's basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus on March 4, 2025. Ohio State won 116-114.
Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) streals a ball in front of Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Rollie Worster (24) during the second half of the NCAA men's basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus on March 4, 2025. Ohio State won 116-114. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Ohio State basketball program will be under a lot of pressure next season to make the NCAA Tournament. Fans have had enough with the team's mediocrity, and they have done that by not showing up in droves to the Schott. Fan attendance has gone down in each of the last three years.

Having a team that isn't any good is a large reason why the Buckeyes aren't attracting fans. That is the biggest reason why the Schott isn't full. But it also isn't a great venue to host basketball games. Quite frankly, it's too big. They need to play in a smaller venue.

That's not going to happen, though. So the Ohio State Buckeyes have tried to get fans in the door another way. They will be putting a new basketball court on the floor of Value City Arena this season. That means that they will have a new playing surface and a new center court logo.

The Ohio State basketball program teases a new basketball court on social media

The Buckeyes teased the addition of a new basketball floor next season on their social media account.

It doesn't show exactly what the new design will be, but that will be revealed at a later date. This isn't the only renovation to the Schott they are doing, either. They spent a good chunk of money on a new scoreboard, as well. The Buckeyes are making some improvements to both the Shoe and the Schott.

The issue is that one could argue the improvements are not the most pressing improvements that need to be tended to. Value City Arena is too big to put the basketball team in. The WiFi is also horrendous, and it takes too long to actually get into the arena.

We'll see if this new court attracts any more fans. The team has to be good for new fans to get excited about the team. It remains to be seen if that will be the case this year.