Ohio State will play Akron tonight for the first time since 1989, which was also in the first round of the NIT Tournament.
For the first time since 2008, Ohio State wasn't able to secure a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Now the Buckeyes will be trying to replicate the end of that 2008 season, where they ended up winning the NIT Championship. The title marked the second NIT Championship in school history, with the first championship coming back in 1986.
The first step in Ohio State's quest for a third NIT Championship is a matchup with in-state foe Akron.