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RedHawks loading schedule with solid nonleague foes

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By Jay Morrison, Staff Writer 11:26 PM Thursday, July 22, 2010

OXFORD — When Ohio State called Miami about filling an opening on its men’s basketball schedule, RedHawks coach Charlie Coles gave a two-word response:

“Why not?”

Coles and Co. are compiling a nonleague schedule that almost guarantees by the time the RedHawks enter conference play they’ll be ranked No. 1 in the nation — in strength of schedule.

“Oh yeah, we’ve got it loaded up,” Coles said of the slate which includes a road trip to Duke to go along with traditional rivals Xavier, Cincinnati and Dayton.

“(OSU) is in the immediate area, and we have a lot of alumni in the Columbus and Springfield area,” Coles continued. “It’s good for recruiting, too. It’s good for every reason, except that they’re very, very good.”

The game, which will be played Nov. 26 — the night before the Ohio State-Michigan football game — will mark the first time the RedHawks and Buckeyes have met in basketball since 1993. But the two coaches have a more recent shared history.

OSU’s Thad Matta worked alongside Coles as MU assistants under Herb Sendek in 1994-95, and Matta returned to Oxford to work one season under Coles when he took over as head coach in 1996.

“He’s a very good person and an excellent coach,” Coles said. “Our guys are looking forward to it. You know how young people are, they’re excited. I don’t know if they’ll feel that way on game night, but hey, why not go along for the ride.”

ontact this reporter at (513) 820-2193 or jmorrison@coxohio.com.

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