The Dayton Flyers were the last Ohio team still dancing (Photo by Dayton Athletics)
College basketball in Ohio finishes its 2025-2026 season.
Dayton 25-12 (12-6 in the Atlantic 10)
UD was the last Ohio team still battling in March Madness. Naysayers will point out that it was in the NIT, but the Flyers were still battling to win basketball games. If any team has a chance to play more in any season and get more wins for their university, town, and state, they should do so, and do so with pride. The Flyers were doing just that when they were on a burst bubble for the college basketball national championship tournament.
After their loss to VCU in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, Dayton knew they were likely not going to the Big Dance. The Flyers, however, were ready to hit the hardwood in another tournament and got their chance to win more games for Dayton in the NIT. Dayton won their first two NIT games, defeating the Bradley Braves and the UNC Wilmington Seahawks. UD advanced to the NIT Quarterfinals. There, they would battle Illinois State, in and for the Gem City.
Things got off to a rough start for the Flyers, and were only made worse when, eight minutes into the game, they lost their leading scorer. Javon Bennett suffered an injury that ended his career as a Dayton Flyer. This was the only game, in 102 games as a Flyer, that Bennett didn’t score a point. Without him, Dayton would trail by 10 at the half. UD battled back in the second half, but ultimately came up short, falling to Illinois State, 61-55. The last team in Ohio playing basketball saw the end of the season.
Jerry Lucas-Oscar Robertson Player of the Year
Ohio had a good year of college basketball. Six teams won 20 or more games, and the state featured some great players. Bruce Thornton, Javon Bennett, Peter Suder, Shammah Scott, and Dae Dae Hunter are just a few of the greats from Ohio this year. It will be hard to pick one as the best player in Ohio for this season.
Ohio State, Cincinnati, Xavier, Miami (Ohio), Ohio, Bowling Green, Toledo, Akron, Kent State, Youngstown State, Wright State, and Cleveland State’s seasons have all concluded.
Ohio State 21-13 (12-8 in the Big Ten)
Cincinnati 18-15 (9-9 in the Big 12)
Xavier 15-18 (6-14 in the Big East)
Miami (Ohio) 32-2 (18-0 in the MAC)
Ohio 15-17 (9-9 in the MAC)
Bowling Green 18-14 (9-9 in the MAC)
Toledo 19-15 (11-7 in the MAC)
Akron 29-6 (17-1 in the MAC)
Kent State 24-10 (14-4 in the MAC)
Youngstown State 15-17 (8-12 in the Horizon League)
Wright State 23-12 (15-5 in the Horizon League)
Cleveland State 11-22 (6-14 in the Horizon League)
Ohio’s Power Rankings
- Miami (Ohio) 32-2 (18-0 in the MAC)
- Akron 29-6 (17-1 in the MAC)
- Wright State 23-12 (15-5 in the Horizon League)
- Dayton 25-12 (12-6 in the Atlantic 10)
- Ohio State 21-13 (12-8 in the Big Ten)
- Kent State 24-10 (14-4 in the MAC)
- Toledo 19-15 (11-7 in the MAC)
- Bowling Green 18-14 (9-9 in the MAC)
- Cincinnati 18-15 (9-9 in the Big 12)
- Xavier 15-18 (6-14 in the Big East)
- Ohio 15-17 (9-9 in the MAC)
- Youngstown State 15-17 (8-12 in the Horizon League)
- Cleveland State 11-22 (6-14 in the Horizon League)
