For the first time ever, four of Ohio’s high-major basketball programs will gather on one court — without a roof.
On Oct. 7 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, home of the Cincinnati Open, Ohio State, Cincinnati, Dayton and Xavier will play outdoor exhibition contests as part of the CareSource Invitational, an event to raise awareness and funds for mental health and suicide prevention.
“I think this is great. This is great for the basketball community in Ohio. And it’s been a long time coming,” Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler said on Thursday. “I’ve been vocal about this since I first got the job and wanted something like this to happen. There are so many moving parts. There are so many moving parts to make something like this happen. It takes a lot of people. And I’m just excited. Everyone got together to make it happen.”
The CareSource Invitational will feature Ohio State vs. Cincinnati with Dayton vs. Xavier as the tennis complex transforms into an outdoor basketball court.
In case of inclement weather, the games will be moved to UD Arena in Dayton, but Diebler’s hoping for nothing but sunshine on a fall Wednesday.
“Getting all four teams together and doing it in a venue like that, it’s exciting. You might as well try something different," Diebler said with a grin. “It’s going to be really early in the preseason. So it’ll be a great time for everybody to get some minutes and just see where you’re at relative to someone else. … I’m excited that it’s outdoors. I’ve never been a part of a live game outside like that.”
Diebler said it’ll be a fun reminder for coaches and players of their time growing up playing basketball in the driveway, at a park or on the school playground.
“We used to play outside all the time growing up. I know it won’t be the same surface as what I played on growing up, but I’m excited about it. You’ll have different things, right? Wind, all that stuff. But who cares? It’s going to be fun to play outside.”
It’ll also be nice to support a great cause, Diebler said.
“This is for something that’s bigger than basketball. It’s great for the basketball community in Ohio," he said. "But it’s also great for what CareSource is doing. Jay’s Light, which we’re familiar with because of Coach (Anthony) Grant and his family. And to be a part of that and to help support what they’re doing is special.”
The CareSource Invitational will not be televised, but tickets will soon be available to purchase.
