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ATHENS, Ohio – Ohio men's basketball heads to Oxford for a prime time Battle of the Bricks matchup with Miami, while Ohio baseball gets the 2026 season underway and men's golf opens the spring season in Texas! Check out everything that's ahead for Ohio Athletics in this week's Paw Prints, presented by Memorial Health System.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Feb. 13 / at No. 23 Miami / Oxford, Ohio / Millett Hall/ 9 p.m. ET / ESPN / Watch / Live Stats / Listen / Ohio Notes / Miami Notes / Digital Guide
The Ohio men's basketball team (13-12, 7-5 MAC) are back in action for a top-25 Battle of the Bricks matchup. After having the midweek off, Ohio heads to Oxford, Ohio on Friday, Feb. 13 when they take on No. 23 Miami (24-0, 11-0 MAC). Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET and can be seen nationally on ESPN where Eric Rothman and mark Adams will have the call.
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 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.
Ohio is coming off a 1-1 week that saw the Bobcats defeat Western Michigan at home before falling to Old Dominion on the road in the MAC-SBC Challenge on Saturday in Norfolk. This week, the Bobcats were led by redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons with 15.5 points and 5.5 rebounds a game. Senior guard Ajay Sheldon was also on fire this week, averaging 15.5 points and shot 64.3 percent from three. On Saturday at ODU, Sheldon scored a season-high 19 points, while hitting five three pointers. Senior forward Aidan Hadaway averaged 13.5 points and 10.5 rebounds a game.
Miami is currently 24-0 and 11-0 in MAC play and are currently ranked 23rd in the nation. The RedHawks are coming off a 90-74 win at Marshall in the MAC-SBC Challenge on Saturday and will also have the midweek off before hosting the Bobcats. Miami is led by Brant Byers with 14.8 points and 4.0 rebounds a game, while shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 41.3 percent from three. Peter Suder averages 14.2 points and 4.6 rebounds and is shooting 55.9 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three. Eian Elmer adds 11.8 points and 6.0 boards a game, while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from three.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Feb. 10 / at Toledo / Toledo, Ohio / Savage Arena / 7 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Ohio Notes / Toledo Notes / Digital Guide
Feb. 14 / vs Kent State / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 1 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Ohio Notes / Kent State Notes / Digital Guide / Tickets
The Ohio women's basketball team (13-9, 7-4 MAC) is back in action for two MAC matchups this week starting on Tuesday, Feb. 10 when Ohio heads to Toledo, Ohio to take on Toledo (12-9, 6-4 MAC). Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET inside Savage Arena and can be seen on ESPN+. The Bobcats are back in Athens on Saturday, Feb. 14 when Ohio hosts Kent State (11-12, 5-6 MAC). Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET inside the Convocation Center and can be seen pn ESPN+.
Ohio is coming off a 1-1 week that saw the Bobcats defeat Western Michigan at home, before falling to Old Dominion at home on Saturday in the MAC-SBC Challenge. Junior guard Bailey Tabeling led Ohio with 12.5 points and 3.0 rebounds, while shooting 38.1 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from three. Aliah McWhorter averaged 10.5 points, while Elli Garnett added 10.5 points and 6.0 rebounds a game.
Toledo is currently 12-9 overall and 6-4 in MAC play and are coming off a 76-67 win over Southern Miss on Saturday at home. Ohio and Toledo met on Jan. 24 in Athens, with the Rockets winnings, 75-66. The Rockets are led by Kendall Carruthers with 12.2 points and 3.0 rebounds a game, while Faith Fedd-Robinson adds 12.1 points and 6.6 rebounds, while shooting 48.8 percent from the field.
Kent State is currently 11-12 overall and 5-6 in MAC play and are coming off a 68-63 win at home against App State on Saturday. The Flashes will have the midweek off before traveling to Athens. The Bobcats and Flashes met earlier this season a month ago on Jan. 14 in Kent, with Ohio falling, 71-68. The Flashes are led by Mya Babbitt with 16.9 points a game, while adding 4.3 rebounds and shooting 38.9 percent from the field. Riley Rismiller adds 8.6 points and 5.9 rebounds a game, while shooting 52.7 percent from the field.
MEN'S GOLF
Feb. 9-10 / at 2026 Bentwater Intercollegiate / Montgomery, Texas / Bentwater Country Club/ All Day / Live Results
The Ohio men's golf team begins the spring portion of their schedule this week when they head to Montgomery, Texas for the 2026 Bentwater Intercollegiate Feb. 9-10 at the Bentwater Country Club. The Bobcats will play 36 holes on Monday, Feb. 9, before wrapping up the trip on Tuesday with the final 18 holes.
Competing at this year's event are; VCU, Incarnate Word, Tarleton State, Prairie View A&M, TCU, Southern, Houston, Rice, Sam Houston, Central Arkansas, Texas Southern, Houston Christian, Oakland, Southern Louisiana, East Texas A&M and Baylor.
Competing for the Bobcats this week are senior Carson Trafford, senior Nathaniel Gray Lamont, senior Will Kates, senior Jack O'Donnell and freshman Jack Flores.
The Bobcats last competed Oct. 20-21 at the Dayton Flyer Invitational where they finished ninth overall. As a team, the Bobcats carded a 296 in Monday's first round, followed by a 301 in the afternoon's second round. The Bobcats recorded a 297 in Tuesday's third and final round for a cumulative score of 890 (+38) to finish ninth in the tournament. Individually, Will Kates led the Bobcats with a score of 219 (+6). Kates opened with a two over par 73 in Monday's first round, and improved with a one over 72 in the afternoon. Kates wrapped up with a 74 in the third and final round, securing a top-20 individual finish at the tournament.
SOFTBALL
Feb. 13 / at 2026 Frost Classic/ vs. Canisius / Chattanooga, Tenn. / Frost Stadium/ 12:30 p.m. ET / Live Stats / Tournament Central
Feb. 13 / at 2026 Frost Classic/ vs. Chattanooga / Chattanooga, Tenn. / Frost Stadium/ 5:30 p.m. ET / Live Stats / Tournament Central
Feb. 14 / at 2026 Frost Classic/ vs. Middle Tennessee / Chattanooga, Tenn. / Frost Stadium/ 12:30 p.m. ET / Live Stats / Tournament Central
Feb. 14 / at 2026 Frost Classic/ vs. Chattanooga / Chattanooga, Tenn. / Frost Stadium/ 3 p.m. ET / Live Stats / Tournament Central
Feb. 15 / at 2026 Frost Classic/ vs. Bellarmine / Chattanooga, Tenn. / Fiend Two / 11 a.m. ET / Live Stats / Tournament Central
The Ohio softball team (4-1) is back in action Feb. 13-15 when they head to Chattanooga, Tenn. for the 2026 Frost Classic for five more game. Ohio opened the weekend on Friday, Feb. 13 against Canisius (0-0). First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m. ET at Frost Stadium. Ohio is back in action later in the day against host Chattanooga (3-2) at 5:30 p.m. ET at Frost Stadium. Ohio returns to the diamond on Saturday, Feb. 14 against Middle Tennessee (1-4) at 12:30 p.m. ET, before concluding the day again against Chattanooga at 3 p.m. ET at Frost Stadium. Ohio wraps up the weekend on Sunday, feb. 15 against Bellarmine (0-5) at 11 a.m. ET on Field Two. This weekend's game will not be streamed, but you will be able to follow along with live stats all weekend long.
Ohio is coming off a solid opening weekend at the Founders Classic in Spartanburg, S.C. The Bobcats went 4-1 and won each game on a run rule, only falling to host USC Upstate in eight innings on Saturday night. Senior Belle Hummel was a beast for Ohio all weekend. Overall, Hummel hit .765 with 13 hits in 17 at bats. She recorded two doubles and hit the first two home runs of her career. The leadoff hitter scored 12 runs and recorded eight RBI, drew four walks and did not strike out, while recording 21 total bases. Hummel also registered a 1.045 OPS, 1.235 slugging percentage and a .810 on base percentage, while going 3-for-3 on stolen bases.
This is the first weekend of play for Canisius. Last season, Canisius finished the season 26-26 overall and 15-10 in conference play. Canisius was picked eighth in the MAAC's preseason poll, while junior outfielder Ella Johel was named to the All-MAAC Preseason Team. Last season, Johel started all 52 games for the Blue and Gold last season, where she hit a team-best .395, which ranked fifth in the league. Overall, she ranked among the top five hitters in the MAAC in eight different offensive statistical categories, including batting average, hits (68), doubles (15), triples (9), RBI (45), runs scored (43), slugging percentage (.674) and OPS (1.101). Her 15 doubles this season were tied for fourth-most by a Canisius player in a single-season and her nine triples ranked third best in the nation.
Host Chattanooga is 3-2 and is coming a strong showing at the Trojan Classic in Troy, Ala. Chattanooga picked up wins against Troy, Middle Tennessee and Southern, while dropping games to North Alabama and Troy. Chattanooga was picked to finish second in the Southern Conference Preseason Poll, while senior pitcher Taylor Long earned a spot on the All-Southern Preseason Team. The Mocs claimed their 16th regular season title in 2025 with a 41-15 overall record and was 15-5 in conference play. Long posted a 12-3 record in 2025 with nine complete games and four shutouts along with two saves. She was second in the conference in strikeouts with 160. She had a .206 opponent batting average and a 2.56 ERA.
Middle Tennessee opened the 2026 season 1-4 at the Trojan Classic in Troy, Ala., picking up a win against Southern and falling to Troy, Chattanooga, and North Alabama twice. Middle Tennessee finished last season 26-27 and 13-14 in conference play. This season, they were picked to finished ninth in the 2026 CUSA Preseason Poll, while Ansley Blevins and Jann Want earned Preseason All-CUSA honors.
Bellarmine is currently 0-5 for open the season after opening the year at the UWG Opening Weekend Event where they faced off with Drexel, West Georgia and Georgia State. Bellarmine turned in a 7-34 overall record last season, the third most wins in the Division I era. In 2026, the Bellarmine softball team will have a drastically different look than it has in years past. The Knights lost 14 players to graduation or the transfer portal from last year's squad. Of those 14, 10 saw regular playing time and the group as a whole accounted for nearly 63% of at-bats and 92% of innings pitched.
BASEBALL
Feb. 13 / vs. Murray State / Carbondale, Ill. / Itchy Jones Stadium/ 4 p.m. ET / Live Stats
Feb. 14 / vs. Murray State / Carbondale, Ill. / Itchy Jones Stadium/ 3 p.m. ET / Live Stats
Feb. 15 / vs. Murray State / Carbondale, Ill. / Itchy Jones Stadium/ TBA p.m. ET / Live Stats
The Ohio baseball season officially gets the Andrew See era underway Feb. 13-15 when they head to Carbondale, Ill. to take on Murray State. Due to renovations being done at Murray State's field, the two teams will play the series on a neutral site, playing at Itchy Jones Stadium on the campus of Southern Illinois. The season begins at 4 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 13. Game two is set for Saturday, Feb. 14 at 3 p.m. ET, while the final game of the series is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 15, with a time to be determined.
The Bobcats finished last season 11-37 overall and 9-21 in MAC play before making a coaching change in the offseason. See, the 11th head coach of Ohio baseball, returns after spending the 2024-25 season as the associate head coach and pitching coach at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. His stops also include coaching stints at Ohio State, Clemson and Duke. In his time as a pitching coach, See has seen 42 pitchers drafted by Major League Baseball since 2012, including six who pitched in the majors. From 2007-12, See served as pitching coach with the Bobcats and was the associate head coach for his final three seasons in Athens. His 2008 and 2010 recruiting classes earned honorable mention accolades by Collegiate Baseball.
See played three seasons at Ohio from 1999-2001 after transferring from Georgia following his freshman season in 1998. In addition to playing first base and center field as a Bobcat, See was a starting pitcher in the weekend rotation for two years before moving to be the closer during his senior campaign.
Murray State finished last season 44-17 overall and 17-8 in conference play. Murray State won the Missouri Valley Conference before defeating Ole Miss in the NCAA Regionals in Oxford, Miss., and then advancing to the 2025 College World Series after defeating Duke at Super Regionals. At the College World Series, Murray State fell to #15 UCLA and No. 3 Arkansas. Murray State was picked as the Missouri Valley Preseason favorites. Murray State also placed a league-high nine players on the MVC "Players to Watch List".
TRACK AND FIELD
Feb. 13-14 / at 2026 Heartland Invitational / Indianapolis, Ind. / Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion / Friday: 12:15 p.m. ET; Saturday: 9:45 a.m. ET / Meet Central / Schedule of Events
The Ohio outdoor track and field team is back in action this week when they head to Indianapolis, Indiana. for the 2026 Heartland Invitational at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion. Friday's events are set to begin at 12:15 p.m. ET, while Saturday is set to begin at 9:45 a.m. ET.
The Bobcats are coming off a strong weekend at the Marshall Jewl City Invite. The highlight of the meet was Ohio's record breaking performance in the women's 4x400m relay. Junior Jada Irwin, freshman Sydney Huckstep, sophomore Ava Kincaid and freshman Alyvia Mentlow won the event with a new indoor school record of 3:49.29. Irwin also recorded the fifth-fastest indoor time in program history in the women's 400m. The junior placed fifth with a season-best time of 57.60. Huckstep also placed in the women's 400m, running an eighth-place time of 57.98.
Senior Sara Doughman also recorded a top indoor program time in the women's 800m. Doughman won the event with a season-best time of 2:11.58. The senior's mark is a new meet record and ranks fifth in program history.
WRESTLING
Feb. 5 / at Clarion / Clarion, Pa. / Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium / 2 p.m. ET / FloWrestling / Watch ($)
The Ohio wrestling team (4-5, 1-4 MAC) are o the road for their final road dual of the season on Sunday, Feb. 15 when the Bobcats head to Clarion, Pa. to take on Clarion (6-4, 3-3 MAC). The dual is set to begin at 2 p.m. ET inside Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium and can be seen on FloWrestling.
Ohio is coming off a narrow loss at Kent State on Feb. 6 in the Grudge match, with the Flashes winning on a tiebreak. Redshirt senior Garrett Thompson dominated at 174 lbs, defeating Kent State's Ethan Barr by 16-0 technical fall. At 184 lbs, Sal Perrine (Northfield, Ohio) continued his strong run of form with a 23-8 technical fall victory over Kent State's Ronald Dimmerling that tied the match at 16. The win marked his 14th of the season and moves him to 4-0 against MAC competition. Perrine recorded seven takedowns in the bout and earned a bonus point for 2:05 of riding time.
Clarion is 6-4 overall and 3-3 in MAC duals. Clarion is coming off a 28-11 loss against Edinboro on Feb. 5 on the road and will take on George Mason iin Fairfax, Va. on Feb. 13 before hosting the Bobcats on Sunday.
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