Ohio's basketball landscape is set to make a splash this fall as the state's four Division I men's programs gather for an unprecedented outdoor preseason doubleheader. The CareSource Invitational will open its doors at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, where Xavier will meet Dayton and the University of Cincinnati will take on Ohio State in a pair of high‑profile exhibition games.
A New Era of Outdoor Basketball
While the plan calls for the contests to be played under the open sky, organizers have secured a contingency venue at UD Arena in Dayton should weather intervene, echoing a similar setup that took place two years ago.
That previous meeting, also held at UD Arena, saw the Musketeers dominate the Flyers 98‑74, a result that helped launch a season that ultimately saw Xavier earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Adding another layer of intrigue, UC’s newly appointed head coach Jerrod Calhoun will guide his Bearcats on an international tour this August, with two exhibition matches scheduled as part of the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League in Nassau, Bahamas.
The doubleheader not only showcases the growing ambition of Ohio’s basketball powers but also highlights the willingness of teams to experiment with venue and format as the sport continues to evolve.