Ohio State fans got their first look at both the men's and women's basketball teams Thursday.
The Buckeyes hosted a Meet the Teams night, which took the place of their annual Buckeyes on the Blacktop event. Buckeyes on the Blacktop was canceled on Oct. 5 due to inclement weather.
"It feels great having both the men's and women's teams out here," Bruce Thornton told Eleven Warriors. "We've both been putting a lot of work in. We're just ready to show Buckeye Nation what we've been working on all preseason."
Cotie McMahon signs an autograph for a young fan.
Ohio State started the event with an hour of open practice from the men's team for fans to view, including a brief 5-on-5 intrasquad scrimmage at the end.
Ohio State with some open practice to start Meet the Team night pic.twitter.com/L1dIi5QEuW
— Andy Anders (@AndyAnders55) October 19, 2023
After the practice window, fans got an introduction to both teams and heard briefly from both women's assistant coach Carla Morrow and men's head coach Chris Holtmann.
Chris Holtmann addresses the crowd at Meet the Team night pic.twitter.com/eTlQUFSZWq
— Andy Anders (@AndyAnders55) October 19, 2023
What followed was a 3-point competition between the two squads. Bowen Hardman advanced to the finals for the men to take on Madison Greene from the women's team, and bested her by sinking 19 of 25 shots from outside the arc.
Bowen Hardman wins the 3-point contest for the Ohio State mens team, sinking 19 of 25 3s in the final round pic.twitter.com/2FEQH6YXla
— Andy Anders (@AndyAnders55) October 19, 2023
Next, Holtmann put some of his own money on the line.
He offered a cash prize to the first student in attendance who could make a shot from half-court. After more than a dozen students took their shots and missed, a youngster named Alec from New Jersey – not Alex, as it might have been misheard initially by some – stepped up and hit his attempt from beyond the timeline.
Scenes after Alex from New Jersey took some of Chris Holtmanns money in a half-court shot contest pic.twitter.com/vJvGkFyGpe
— Andy Anders (@AndyAnders55) October 19, 2023
Ohio State closed the evening with an autograph and photo session with both teams, allowing fans a chance to get photos, jerseys and other items signed and speak with the athletes.
Both the Ohio State men's and women's basketball teams open their season on Nov. 6, with the men taking on Oakland at the Schottenstein Center and the women starting with a neutral-site game against USC.
