Ohio State to host Providence in 2016 Gavitt Games, per report

2015 saw the rise of the Gavitt Games, an early season college basketball event designed to matchup the Big Ten against the Big East.

Unfortunately for Thad Matta and the Ohio State basketball team, the Bucks got left on the outside looking in.

It doesn't look like that'll be the case in 2016.

Per Jon Rothstein of CBSSports.com, the Buckeyes are set to host Ed Cooley and the Providence Friars in the 2016 edition of the tipoff affair. Providence won a thrilling 8/9 matchup against USC they wound up winning on a buzzer beater in this year's NCAA Tournament. They lost to eventual national runners up North Carolina 85-66 in the Second Round.

Per Rothstein, the game is slated for November 17.

Providence has made the NCAA Tournament three straight seasons. As the 32nd ranked team in 2015-16 RPI, it's likely even with the loss of star point guard Kris Dunn to the NBA that the Friars should represent a big opportunity for the Buckeyes scheduling wise.

With OSU already heading to take on Navy in the Veterans Classic in Annapolis, OSU hoops look to have themselves a multiple tipoff event laden start to next basketball season.