Bobcats Host Western Michigan Tuesday Night
ATHENS, Ohio — The Ohio men’s basketball team (12-11, 6-5 MAC) returns to the Convocation Center on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to face Western Michigan (8-13, 2-7 MAC). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN+, with Marty Bannister, Rob Cornelius, and Lucy Schaefer calling the game.
Fans can also listen to the game on the Ohio Sports Network from Learfield, presented by Holzer Health System. Jason Toy is in his second season as the play-by-play announcer, and will be joined by college basketball analyst Dave Cecutti. The broadcast will be available on WXTQ (Power 105) in Athens, as well as through the Varsity Network App.
Series History
This will be the 144th all-time meeting between Ohio and Western Michigan. Ohio leads the series 75-68.
The teams last met on February 25, 2025, in Kalamazoo, with the Bobcats falling to the Broncos, 82-73. Prior to that, Ohio defeated Western Michigan 94-68 in Athens and then lost on the road 82-73.
Since the 2009-10 season, Ohio is 13-19 against Western Michigan. Under head coach Jeff Boals, the Bobcats have a 6-3 record against the Broncos.
NET Rankings
As of today, February 3, 2026, Ohio is ranked 215th in the NCAA NET rankings, while Western Michigan is ranked 272nd.
Recent Performance
Ohio is coming off a 95-83 road victory at Buffalo on Saturday. In that game, redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons recorded a career-high 24 points and a season-high 13 rebounds. Senior forward Aidan Hadaway added 19 points, freshman guard JJ Kelly contributed 17, and senior guard Jackson Paveletzke had 16 points and a season-high 11 assists.
Scouting Western Michigan
Western Michigan enters the game with an overall record of 8-13 and a 2-7 mark in MAC play. They recently lost to Northern Illinois (NIU) 85-65 on January 27.
The Broncos average 75.4 points per game, shooting 44.9 percent from the field, 33.8 percent from three-point range, and 73.8 percent from the free-throw line. Opponents average 79.2 points per game, shooting 44.9 percent from the field, 34.1 percent from three, and 70.5 percent from the line.
Western Michigan averages 37.2 rebounds, 13.6 assists, 5.1 steals, and 2.6 blocks per game, forcing 10.4 turnovers and scoring 12.4 points off those turnovers. Opponents average 34.9 rebounds, 15.4 assists, 7.0 steals, and 4.1 blocks, forcing 13.1 turnovers and scoring 16.3 points off them.
Justice Williams leads Western Michigan in scoring with 17.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Jalen Griffith adds 13.7 points and 4.1 assists, while Jayden Brewer averages 12.6 points and 7.0 rebounds.
Scouting Ohio
Ohio is 12-11 overall and 6-5 in MAC play, following their win at Buffalo. The Bobcats average 77.4 points per game, shooting 46.5 percent from the field, 30.1 percent from three-point range, and 69.5 percent from the free-throw line. They record 33.8 rebounds, 13.2 assists, and 7.0 steals per game, forcing 13.2 turnovers and scoring 15.3 points off them.
Opponents average 77.6 points per game, shooting 45.5 percent from the field, 35.2 percent from three, and 73.8 percent from the line. They average 36.0 rebounds, 12.9 assists, and 6.4 steals, forcing 11.9 turnovers and scoring 12.9 points off them.
Senior guard Jackson Paveletzke leads Ohio in scoring with 17.0 points and 4.9 assists per game, shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from three. Senior forward Aidan Hadaway averages 14.2 points and a team-leading 7.2 rebounds, shooting 47.8 percent from the field. Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons adds 13.9 points and 5.4 rebounds, shooting 51.2 percent from the field.
Bobcats in the MAC
Jackson Paveletzke is currently eighth in the MAC in scoring (17.0), fifth in assists (4.9), and first in minutes played (36.1). Aidan Hadaway is sixth in the league in rebounding (7.2). Ajay Sheldon is fifth in the MAC in steals (1.7).
Ohio in NCAA Statistics
Ohio is ranked 94th nationally in turnovers forced. Jackson Paveletzke is 17th in the nation in minutes per game, 68th in assists, 88th in free throw attempts, and 70th in assists per game. Javan Simmons is 71st in free throw attempts, and Paveletzke is 96th. Aidan Hadaway is 96th in rebounds and 95th in defensive rebounds. Ajay Sheldon is 89th in steals.
Convocation Center Record
Ohio has an all-time record of 586-189 (.756) at the Convocation Center, which opened in 1968. Under Jeff Boals, the Bobcats are 81-21 in the Convo.
Up Next
Ohio will be back on the road on Saturday, February 7, 2026, to face Old Dominion in Norfolk, Virginia, as part of the 2025-26 MAC-SBC Challenge. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
