Ohio State Basketball Will Face Marquette On Carrier Next Season

Matta will bring the intensity to the sea

Word started about two days ago that the Buckeye basketball team was looking to play against Marquette on an aircraft carrier (a la North Carolina-Michigan State) when the new season started. 

Now it seems that the Ohio State men’s and women’s basketball teams plan to open their seasons on the same night at the deck of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier in Charleston, S.C as was rumored.

"A contract has been signed for the women’s team to play Notre Dame on Nov. 9 in the Carrier Classic, according to Mike Whalen, founder and managing partner of the nonprofit Morale Entertainment Foundation, the event promoter.

An agreement to match the Ohio State men the same night against Marquette, also on the deck of the USS Yorktown, is close to being completed, said Miechelle Willis, an executive associate athletic director at Ohio State who oversees both basketball programs.

The games will be televised by ESPN networks, Willis added. ESPN.com first reported yesterday that Ohio State and Marquette were negotiating to play the game."

The Carrier Classic made its debut last season when the Michigan State and North Carolina men squared off aboard the USS Carl Vinson in San Diego. This will be the first such women’s game promoted by Morale Entertainment, which conducts overseas tours for American armed forces.

Tuesday's Buckeye Bits

Good morning Buckeye fans. Welcome to your Tuesday morning Buckeye Bits. If your new to this daily feature we here at ITS attempt to scour the web for interesting stories for you to read. Think of it as a quicker way to get your sporting fix before the boss makes his/her morning rounds.

The basketball Bucks are a #2 seed this year and open up play this Thursday. We have some great writers that will have tons of info on the upcoming game and tournament as it approaches. With that said, I thought it would be nice to keep it on the football side of things today. Off we go!

Butch Davis Leaves His Mark- Well, it's probably not his fault entirely as Butch hasn't been linked to any of the problems at North Carolina but as a Browns fan I don't miss an opportunity to slander his name. I found it extra hilarious that this story was buried down the page on ESPN. Where is all the outrage that was expressed during Tatgate? How much do you want to bet this story doesn't come up until half way through Sportscenter? Ahh, got to love that bias.

Ohio State Hires North Carolina Interim Head Coach Everett Withers

Withers will be Co-Defensive Coordinator

As we reported to you last Monday, a little over a week later, the rumor that we had told you has become official. North Carolina interim head coach Everett Withers has been hired by Ohio State.

Withers will have the title co-defensive coordinator and assistant head coach under Urban Meyer. Withers had even acknowledged the possibility before finally confirming it while speaking to reporters Wednesday. Withers will coach the Tar Heels through their AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl against Missouri on Dec. 26.

Withers was a guest on The David Glenn Show on Wednesday, and confirmed that being a head coach was a goal of his for "at least seven or eight years." Withers appeared to have no trouble putting that goal on hold for the moment considering the opportunities in Columbus.

"At this present time I'm headed to Ohio State to be the assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator," Withers confirmed. "For obvious reasons, to have the opportunity to work on a staff with Coach [Urban] Meyer and to learn and grow with him and what he's starting at Ohio State. It's a great opportunity, a great challenge for me, and I'm looking forward to it."

Withers is expected to share the defensive coordinator duties with Ohio State's current interim head coach, Luke Fickell. Fickell was given the opportunity to stay on staff by Urban Meyer, though he has interviewed for the open head coaching position at Pittsburgh. Withers has had numerous stops as a defensive assistant before arriving in Chapel Hill, notably including stints with Texas and the Tennessee Titans of the NFL.

Keep it at Inside The Shoe for the latest updates and news on Ohio State. 

Basketball Buckeyes Ranked #3 In Preseason Poll

No soup votes for you

On Wednesday, the Coaches Poll came out, releasing it's Preseason rankings. The Buckeyes (who return Wooden Top 50 players Jared Sullinger, Aaron Craft, and William Buford to the team) were ranked #3, but received no first place votes. That honor was held for North Carolina who received all but 1 first place votes, and looks to compete for the national title behind sophomore Harrison Barnes.

Going now to look at the schedule, I see a pretty tough road for Ohio State, but if they do win these big games, I'm sure voters will place them on top if UNC fails to impress against lower schools. Ohio State faces #10 Florida, #6 Duke, at #13 Kansas, and then a couple of ranked Big Ten conference games.

Coaches Poll Preseason Top Ten
1. North Carolina
2. Kentucky
3. Ohio State
4. Connecticut
5. Syracuse
6. Duke
7. Vanderbilt
8. Louisville
9. Memphis
10. Florida

Your thoughts on where the Buckeyes were placed?