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ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio men's basketball team (13-11, 7-5 MAC) is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 7 when the Bobcats head to Norfolk, Va. for the second game of the 2025-26 MAC-SBC Challenge when they take on Old Dominion (7-17, 4-8 SBC). Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET inside Chartway Arena and can be seen on ESPN+.
The Bobcats' matchup can also be heard on the Ohio Sports Network from Learfield, presented by Holzer Health System. Jason Toy begins his second season on the mic for the Bobcats and will be joined by veteran college basketball analyst Dave Cecutti. WXTQ (Power 105) in Athens returns as the 11-station net- work's flagship and can be heard on the Varsity Network App.
TIP-OFF
This is the second all-time meeting between Ohio and Old Dominion.
Ohio leads the all-time series, 1-0.
Ohio and ODU last met on Nov. 24, 1995 in the Great Alaska Shootout in Anchorage, Alaska, with Ohio winning 90-89 in double overtime.
This is the final game of the 2025-26 MAC-Sun Belt Challenge. The Bobcat fell to Arkansas State in the season opener, while ODU lost to Miami in Oxford.
The Bobcats are currently ranked 207 in the latest NET rankings, with opponent Old Dominion in at 268.
Ohio is coming off a 91-71 road victory over Western Michigan at home Tuesday night.
All five Ohio starters scored in double figures against Western Michigan, with redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons and senior guard Jackson Paveletzke leading the way with 17 each.
Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons recorded a career-high 24 points and grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds on Jan. 31 in Ohio's win at Buffalo.
In the Bobcats game at Kent State on Jan. 27, Ohio forced the Flashes to turn over the ball 20 times, recording 13 steals in the process.
SCOUTING OLD DOMINION
Old Dominion is currently 7-17 overall and 4-8 in SBC play and are coming off an 85-79 at home against ULM on Wednesday.
Overall, ODU averages 74.0 points per game, while shooting 42.7 percent from the field, 33.2 percent from three and 71.8 percent from the line. Meanwhile, opponents are averaging 77.8 points per game, while shooting 44.0 percent from the field, 31.3 percent from three and 74.1 percent from the line.
ODU is averaging 35.5 rebounds, 12.5 assists, 6.1 steals and 3.1 blocks a game, while forcing opponents to turn the ball over an average of 10.4 times a game. ODU opponents are averaging 38.7 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.5 steals and 4.0 blocks a game, while forcing 11.1 turnovers a contest.
Leading Old Dominion is Ketron Shaw with 16.6 points and 4.2 rebounds a game, while shooting 46 percent from the field and 71 percent from the line. Jordan Battle adds 14.2 points and 5.0 rebounds a game, while shooting 42 percent from three and 84 percent from three, while LJ Thomas averages 0.9 points and 3.0 assists a game, while shooting 47 percent from the field.
SCOUTING OHIO
Ohio is 13-11 overall and 7-5 in MAC play and are coming off a 91-71 win against Western Michigan on Tuesday in Athens.
Ohio is averaging 78.0 points a game, while shooting 46.7 percent from the field, 30.7 percent from three and 70.0 percent from the line. The Bobcats also add 34.0 rebounds a game, while dishing out 13.4 assists and recording 6.8 steals a contest. Ohio is also forcing opponents to turn the ball over 12.9 times a game, scoring on average 15.5 points off them.
Meanwhile, Ohio opponents are averaging 77.3 points a game, while shooting 45.5 percent from the field, 35.6 percent from three and 72.2 percent from the line. Opponents are averaging 35.8 rebounds, 13.2 assists and 6.3 steals a game, while forcing Ohio to turn the ball over an average of 11.8 times a game, while scoring on average 12.9 points off them.
Individually, Ohio is led by senior guard Jackson Paveletzke with 17.0 points and 5.0 assists a game, while shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from three. Senior forward Aidan Hadaway averages 14.3 points and a team-leading 7.3 rebounds a game, while shooting 48.6 percent from the field, while redshirt junior froward Javan Simmons adds 14.0 points and 5.4 rebounds, while shooting 51.1 percent from the field.
ALL-TIME AGAINST OLD DOMINION
This is the second all-time meeting between Ohio and Old Dominion.
Ohio leads the all-time series, 1-0.
LAST TIME AGAINST OLD DOMINION
Ohio and ODU last met on Nov. 24, 1995 in the Great Alaska Shootout in Anchorage, Alaska, with Ohio winning 90-89 in double overtime.
OHIO IN THE MAC
Senior guard Jackson Paveletzke is currently eighth in the conference in scoring (17.0), fifth in assists (5.0) and tied for first in minutes (36.0).
Senior forward Aidan Hadaway is sixth in the league in rebounding (7.3).
Senior guard Ajay Sheldon is seventh in the MAC in steals (1.6).
OHIO IN NET
The Bobcats are currently ranked 207 in the latest NET rankings, with ODU ranked at 268
Miami leads the conference in NET this week at 52.
BOBCATS IN THE NCAA
Senior guard Jackson Paveletzke is currently 19th in the nation in minutes per game, 56th in assists, 59th in free throws, 63rd in free throw attempts and 67th in assists per game.
Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons is 63rd in the nation in free throw attempts.
Senior forward Aidan Hadaway is 88th in rebounds and 87th in defensive rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Bobcats will have the mid-week off coming up and will return to action on Friday, Feb. 13 when they head to Oxford, Ohio to take on No. 23 Miami. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET inside Millett Hall and can be seen nationally on ESPN.
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