Ohio (1-4 overall) will get back on the road following its most recent game at home, a 76-73 loss to Bethune-Cookman, to head south to Daytona Beach, Florida, to compete in the 2025 Sunshine Slam.
The non-conference schedule has not been great for Ohio, as the Bobcats’ only win came in the second game of the season against Illinois State.
The most recent loss against Bethune-Cookman featured some poor shooting, as Ohio shot just 2-17 from three against the Wildcats.
Moving forward to the Sunshine Slam, Ohio will first face off against George Mason on Monday night, and then will move on to play either Florida Atlantic or Loyola Marymount, two very solid teams.
The Bobcats will need to get back in the win column to save some momentum, so let's take a look at the competition in the Sunshine Slam.
Meet the Opponent: George Mason Patriots
Head coach: Tony Skinn (third season)
Projected Starters:
#02 Jahari Long
#03 Kory Mincy
#04 Dola Adebayo
#13 Malik Presley
#35 Riley Allenspach
George Mason Notes:
The Patriots will be yet another tough task for Ohio in the non-conference schedule, as they have been red-hot to start the season, with a 5-0 record. Tony Skinn did a great job in his first two years as head coach, and now he has his team playing well again.
Junior guard Kory Mincy has been the engine to the machine that George Mason has been so far this season, averaging 17.6 points per game while shooting over 50% from the field and from three per game.
Meet the Opponent: Florida Atlantic Owls
Head coach: John Jakus (second season)
Projected Starters:
#01 Devin Williams
#02 Isaiah Elohim
#17 Xander Pintelon
#18 Kanaan Carlyle
#22 Devin Vanterpool
Florida Atlantic Notes:
Florida Atlantic has rebounded nicely after losing a good majority of its Final Four team that made the huge run in 2023. After losing head coach Dusty May to Michigan and multiple other players to the portal, John Jakus has the Owls playing very well in his second season.
They started the year off strong, knocking off Boston College in overtime before beating a solid College of Charleston team. Their only loss is to Liberty, but they are riding a two-game win streak heading into the Sunshine Slam.
Redshirt sophomore guard Devin Vanterpool has been leading the way for the Owls so far this season, averaging 16.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Meet the Opponent: Loyola Marymount Lions
Head coach: Stan Johnson (sixth season)
Projected Starters:
#01 Jalen Shelly
#02 Rodney Brown
#04 AJ Thomas
#16 Aaron McBride
#22 Rick Issanza
Loyola Marymount Notes:
The Lions are, incredibly, another team that has been great to start the 2025-26 season. Loyola Marymount is 6-0, and no matter who Ohio plays in this tournament, it will surely be tested with a great squad.
The Lions' most recent wins came against UTEP, Troy and UC Santa Barbara, with the game against the Gauchos being the most tight game of the season, ending with a final score of 78-74.
Leading the undefeated start for Loyola Marymount is redshirt senior guard Myron Amey Jr. The former San Jose State Spartan has been on fire to start the year, putting up 17.5 points per game while shooting 49% from the floor and 42.6% from three.
