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Ohio State holds off IU Indy in high-scoring season opener: Replay
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- Ohio State holds off IU Indy in high-scoring season opener: Replay
Three Buckeyes scored at least 20 points, neither team could muster much in the way of defensive stops and Ohio State opened the 2025-26 season with a 118-102 win against IU Indy.
The Buckeyes (1-0) led for 38:56 against the Jaguars (0-1) but never firmly pulled away from the visitors, either. Playing against an IU Indy team that pushed tempo the entire game, fouled liberally and fired away from 3, the Buckeyes showcased a high-powered offense but struggled defensively for long stretches.
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Christoph Tilly scored a career-high 28 points, Bruce Thornton had 25 and Devin Royal added 22 for the Buckeyes. IU Indy committed 36 personal fouls.
The Jaguars are the first team to score at least 100 points in regulation in Columbus since Purdue had 107 on Feb. 7, 1998. They are the first team to score 100 points against Ohio State since March 4, 2025, when the Buckeyes beat Nebraska 116-114 in double overtime.
IU Indy shot exactly 50% from the field in both halves. Ohio State was 34 for 54 (63.0%) from the floor.
Follow along with all the action with our live blog below as the second year of the Jake Diebler era gets underway.
Ohio State Buckeyes forward Amare Bynum (1) celebrates during the NCAA men's basketball game against the IU Indy Jaguars at Value City Arena in Columbus on Nov. 3, 2025.
Three Buckeyes top 20 points in final minutes
Christoph Tilly has a career-high 27 points, Bruce Thornton has 21 and Devin Royal is at 20 with two pending free throws as Ohio State leads IU Indy 106-93 with 3:50 to play.
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IU Indy pulls within 10 points
The Jaguars have scored on five of their last six possessions to pull within 103-93 with five minutes to play.
Ohio State hits 100 points, IU Indy getting close
Christoph Tilly's driving layup with 7:19 left moved him to 25 points for the game and pushed Ohio State into triple digits, but the Jaguars have a free throw pending with 6:59 left and the score 101-87.
IU Indy is 16 for 30 in the second half and outscoring Ohio State 37-35.
Ohio State closing in on 100 points before midpoint of second half
The Buckeyes are on a 7-0 run and lead 89-69 with 11:13 still to play. The all-time scoring record of 121 points could be in jeopardy, especially if the Buckeyes start making 3s. A Taison Chatman 3-pointer broke a 1-for-12 run of shooting from deep for the Buckeyes.
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The Jaguars are shooting 50.0% from the field for the game and in both halves, assisting on 14 of 25 shots.
Christoph Tilly up to 20 points for Ohio State
The Buckeyes and Jaguars are trading buckets in the second half as Ohio State's lead has fluctuated between 16 and 20 points through the first 4:40. Christoph Tilly just took a pass from Gabe Cupps on a baseline out of bounds play, spun through the lane and finished at the rim to move him to 20 points in his Ohio State debut.
Gabe Cupps is going to the line for two free throws after this media timeout. IU Indy already has five fouls for the half.
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Watch Amare Bynum dunk for his first career points
Freshman Amare Bynum went 2 for 3 during the first half for 4 points including this dunk.
Near-record scoring half gives Ohio State lead on IU Indy
The defense has had its share of struggles, but Ohio State's offense just put up one of the most prolific halves in program history. The Buckeyes lead 66-50 through 20 minutes, the third-most points scored in a half in Ohio State history.
The 66 points are more than Ohio State scored in seven entire games last season. The Buckeyes assisted on 14 of 22 field goals and shot 66.7% (22 for 33) from the line.
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On the other end, though, the Jaguars are 17 for 34 (50.0%) from the floor and have 10 assists. The Buckeyes' lead was down to 33-32 with 8:45 left in the half, but a run of six IU Indy turnovers on seven possessions helped fuel a 23-3 run in the next 5:45 for the Buckeyes.
Devin Royal has 19 points for the Buckeyes with Bruce Thornton adding 13 and Christoph Tilly scoring 11.
Ohio State's all-time scoring record is 121 points in a Jan. 8, 1995 win against George Mason. The record for most points in a season opener is 111 in a win against Bethune-Cookman on Nov. 25, 1990.
Buckeyes build lead as defense digs in
IU Indy had cut Ohio State's lead to 34-32, but Ohio State forced turnovers on six of the next seven possessions and in the process built its lead to a game-high 14 points at 46-32 on two free throws from Gabe Cupps with 6:14 left in the half.
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Ohio State assisting on offense, struggling on defense
The Buckeyes have now assisted on nine of their 12 made field goals and are shooting 66.7% from the floor, but they only lead 37-32 because IU Indy is up to 50.0% (12 for 24) from the floor.
Ohio State is struggling to string together stops, even as its offense keeps getting good looks. The Jaguars have fouled the Buckeyes 11 times, putting them in the double bonus. There's 7:51 left in the first half.
IU Indy cuts into Ohio State's lead
The Buckeyes have led by as many as 11 points, but it's a 28-22 lead with 11:31 left in the first half as Ohio State's shooting has cooled a bit and the Jaguars have gotten to the rim.
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In a game being played at an NBA-style pace, the Buckeyes made their first eight shots but are only three for their last eight.
Ohio State offense blistering early
Only 4:09 into the season, Ohio State leads IU Indy 19-8 and is a perfect 7 for 7 from the floor. Five of those shots are 3-pointers, two apiece from Bruce Thornton and Devin Royal.
At the other end, IU Indy has three offensive rebounds and will go to the line for three shots after a John Mobley Jr. foul with 15:51 left in the first half.
Amare Bynum and Gabe Cupps are the first subs of the season, with Cupps replacing Mobley and Bynum in for Brandon Noel.
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Myles Herro not in uniform for Ohio State
Freshman guard Myles Herro is not on the injury report but has come out for the final warmups in sweats. On Oct. 31, Diebler said he could be a potential redshirt candidate and that he would be talking with Herro's family during the weekend.
That looks likely at this point. He was the final player to see game action in the exhibition game against Ohio.
Starters posted for Ohio State, IU Indy
Here are tonight's starters.
Ohio State: Bruce Thornton, John Mobley Jr., Devin Royal, Brandon Noel, Christoph Tilly
IU Indy: Jaxon Edwards, Kyler D'Augustino, Maguire Mitchell, Reece Hagy, Finley Woodward
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Video: Your Ohio State-IU Indy pregame report
Here's what the new court looks like
Ohio State's new gray court has been installed. Here's a look at how it looks.
No surprises on Ohio State injury report
The only player listed on the official Ohio State injury report is Josh Ojianwuna, a Baylor transfer who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in February. His status for the season is uncertain, but he is only listed as "out" and not as "out for (the) season" on the report.
What are the most points for Ohio State in a season opener?
On Nov. 25, 1990, Ohio State hosted Bethune-Cookman for the season opener at St. John Arena. Jim Jackson led seven Buckeyes in double figures with 19 points and Ohio State handed the Wildcats a 111-72 defeat in front of 13,276 fans.
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That Ohio State team finished the season 27-4 overall and lost to St. John's in the Sweet 16.
Ohio State vs IU Indy score updates
This section will be updated when the game begins.
Ohio State vs. IU Indy time today
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Date: Monday, Nov. 3
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Start time: 6:30 p.m. ET
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Location: Value City Arena, Columbus, Ohio
What channel is Ohio State vs. IU Indy on today?
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TV Channel:none
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Livestream:B1G+
Ohio State vs IU Indy will stream nationally on B1G+ in the first game of the 2025-26 men's college basketball season. Gabe Eaker, Connor Canfield and Mason Jarrell will call the game from Value City Arena. The game will only be streaming on B1G+.
Ohio State vs IU Indy history
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Series record:Ohio State leads 3-0
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Ohio State's last win:Jan. 18, 2022 (83-37)
Ohio State vs IU Indy predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, Nov. 2
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Spread:Ohio State by 30.5
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Over/under:158½
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Moneyline:Ohio State (-10000); IU Indy (+3300)
Ohio State Buckeyes forward Brandon Noel (14) shoots past Ohio Bobcats forward Javan Simmons (1) during the NCAA preseason exhibition game at Value City Arena in Columbus on Oct. 26, 2025.
Ohio State men's basketball schedule
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Oct. 26 - Ohio University (exhibition), W, 104-73
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Nov. 3 - IU Indy
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Nov. 7 - Purdue Fort Wayne
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Nov. 11 - Appalachian State
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Nov. 16 - Notre Dame
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Nov. 20 - Western Michigan
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Nov. 25 - Mount St. Mary's
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Nov. 28 - at Pitt
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Dec. 6 - at Northwestern
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Dec. 9 - Illinois
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Dec. 13 - vs. West Virginia (Cleveland Hoops Showdown, Cleveland)
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Dec. 20 - vs. North Carolina (CBS Sports Classic, Atlanta)
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Dec. 23 - Grambling State
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Jan. 2 - at Rutgers
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Jan. 5 - Nebraska
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Jan. 8 - at Oregon
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Jan. 11 - at Washington
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Jan. 17 - UCLA
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Jan. 20 - Minnesota
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Jan. 23 - at Michigan
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Jan. 26 - Penn State
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Jan. 31 - at Wisconsin
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Feb. 5 - at Maryland
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Feb. 8 - Michigan
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Feb. 11 - USC
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Feb. 14 - vs. Virginia (Nashville Hoops Showdown, Nashville)
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Feb. 17 - Wisconsin
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Feb. 22 - at Michigan State
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Feb. 25 - at Iowa
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March 1 - Purdue
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March 4 - at Penn State
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March 7 - Indiana
Buy Ohio State vs. Ohio men's basketball tickets
Ohio State Buckeyes news
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What changes have Ohio State AD Ross Bjork helped make for home basketball games?
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BTN analyst Raphael Davis says Ohio State will earn double bye in conference tournament
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Who is Ohio State's best shooter? Dunker? Dresser? The Buckeyes sound off in annual poll
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Anthony Thompson's coach explains why the five-star forward committed to Ohio State
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Healthy Ohio State gives Buckeyes students a look at 2025-26 team as start of season looms
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Ohio State's Bruce Thornton talking trash , playing freer and ready for his senior year
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Here's what we know about Ohio State's 'secret' men's basketball scrimmage at Tennessee
Ohio State men's basketball beat writer Adam Jardy can be reached at ajardy@dispatch.com, on Bluesky at @ cdadamjardy.bsky.social or on Twitter at @ AdamJardy .
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State beats IU Indy in high-scoring season opener: Replay
