The Buckeyes announced their third non-conference game of the season, this time taking place in Newark, New Jersey
Normally the non-conference schedule ends late November or early December, but this season will be different for Ohio State women’s basketball. On Tuesday, the Coretta Scott King Classic announced the addition of the Buckeyes in a doubleheader that pits the Big Ten against the Big 12 and SEC.
Head coach Kevin McGuff’s Buckeyes take on the TCU Horned Frogs first in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day neutral site event. The next edition takes place Monday, January 19, 2026 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
“I am deeply honored to announce our participation in the 2026 Coretta Scott King Classic,” said Kevin McGuff in a press release. “This event is a powerful celebration of Coretta Scott King’s enduring legacy as a champion for equality, justice and empowerment. It is a privilege for our team to compete in an event that not only showcases the strength and talent of women’s basketball but also pays tribute to Mrs. King’s profound impact on our society.”
The TCU Horned Frogs enter this season off a conference sweep in the Big 12, winning both their conference championship and conference tournament championship. However, that team featured guard Hailey Van Lith and forward Sedona Prince, a one-two outside and inside combination that dominated the scoring and rebounding columns for TCU. The Horned Frogs made a splash in the summer transfer window and added All-American Olivia Miles, the former Notre Dame standout at guard.
So far, the matchup with Miles is the toughest test for sophomore guard Jaloni Cambridge on the non-conference schedule, with most games still pending release.
This is the first time the two programs play each other in their respective histories.
Named after the wife of Martin Luther King Jr., the Coretta Scott King Classic honors the late activist’s contributions to the American Civil Rights Movement.
“The Coretta Scott King Classic is a testament to the enduring power of my mother’s legacy,” said Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of Coretta Scott King and CEO of The King Center. “She believed deeply in the transformative nature of education and public engagement, and this event continues to bring that vision to life for a new generation of athletes, fans, and leaders.”
Ohio State’s game tips at noon ET on FOX. At 2 p.m. ET, the Michigan Wolverines face the Vanderbilt Commodores in the second game of the doubleheader.
Tuesday’s announcement is the third non-conference game for the Buckeyes, although the opponents for the first two games are still up in the air. That is because Ohio State travels to the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championship on the week of Thanksgiving. At the tournament, the Buckeyes will play from a pool of programs including Alabama, Belmont, Harvard, Minnesota, South Florida, West Virginia and an eighth school that has not been announced, as of publishing.