Ohio State Basketball to Face North Carolina in 2025 CBS Sports Classic at State Farm Arena in Atlanta
The CBS Sports Classic is back in 2025 with another blockbuster lineup, and for the Ohio State Buckeyes, the challenge is as steep as ever. The Buckeyes are slated to face the North Carolina Tar Heels on December 20, 2025, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, in one of college basketball’s most anticipated early-season showcases.
This annual doubleheader event, now entering its 12th year, has become a staple on the college basketball calendar. It consistently features some of the most storied programs in the sport, and this year is no exception. The 2025 edition will pit four powerhouses against each other: Ohio State, North Carolina, Kentucky, and a newly added St. John’s squad coached by the legendary Rick Pitino.
The Buckeyes’ CBS Sports Classic Journey
Ohio State has been a part of the CBS Sports Classic since its inception in 2014. The event was originally created to pit four blue-blood programs—Ohio State, North Carolina, Kentucky, and UCLA—against one another in a rotating schedule. Over the years, these matchups have delivered some of the most thrilling games of the non-conference season.
In the 2025 installment, Ohio State gets a familiar foe in North Carolina. The Tar Heels have bested the Buckeyes in all three previous meetings in this event, including a dramatic 89-84 overtime thriller in 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. That game saw Carolina rally late behind then-star Armando Bacot and freshman sensation Caleb Love, edging out an Ohio State team led by Brice Sensabaugh and Justice Sueing.
The overall series history between Ohio State and North Carolina is also tilted in favor of the Tar Heels, who lead the all-time matchup 13-3. Despite the lopsided history, Ohio State has often played UNC tough, and this year’s matchup offers a fresh opportunity for redemption.
A New Look Buckeyes Roster
The Buckeyes will enter the 2025-26 season with a different makeup under head coach Jake Diebler, who took over full-time after the departure of Chris Holtmann. Diebler, known for his recruiting acumen and offensive creativity, has quickly revitalized excitement in Columbus.
While final rosters for the 2025-26 season are still taking shape, Ohio State is expected to bring in a mix of returning veterans, a strong freshman class, and a couple of impact transfers. With the transfer portal more influential than ever, it’s likely that Ohio State will have a versatile roster capable of competing with top-tier programs like North Carolina.
One player to watch is sophomore guard Taison Chatman, who showed flashes of brilliance in his freshman campaign. Paired with a strong frontcourt presence and potential breakout stars, the Buckeyes will look to reverse their fortunes in the CBS Sports Classic and make a national statement heading into Big Ten play.
Tar Heels Look to Continue Dominance
North Carolina, led by head coach Hubert Davis, remains one of the most consistent forces in college basketball. Coming off a strong 2024-25 campaign and potentially reloading with another top-tier recruiting class, the Tar Heels will be a formidable opponent for anyone.
Carolina is expected to return key contributors from their 2024-25 squad, including a seasoned backcourt and athletic wings capable of defending multiple positions. The Tar Heels also boast one of the most respected developmental programs in college hoops, making them a perennial Final Four threat.
In last year’s CBS Sports Classic, the Tar Heels dismantled UCLA in a convincing performance, showcasing their trademark inside-out offensive balance and high-pressure defense. Against Ohio State, they’ll likely use their size and tempo to test the Buckeyes’ transition defense and half-court execution.
Venue Spotlight: State Farm Arena, Atlanta
Hosting this year’s CBS Sports Classic is State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The venue, home to the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, is known for its modern amenities, central downtown location, and basketball-friendly layout. This will be the first time the CBS Sports Classic is held at this venue, marking a new chapter in the event’s evolution.
Previously, the Classic has been played at some of the sport’s most iconic locations—Madison Square Garden, United Center in Chicago, T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland among them. The move to Atlanta brings the action to the Southeast, a region with rich basketball tradition and a massive college hoops following.
The city’s accessibility, combined with its basketball-savvy fanbase, makes Atlanta a prime location to host an event of this magnitude. Fans of all four programs—especially Kentucky and North Carolina, which have large Southeastern footprints—are expected to fill the arena to capacity.
A Shift in Lineup: St. John’s Replaces UCLA
One of the most notable changes for the 2025 CBS Sports Classic is the replacement of UCLA with St. John’s University. The Bruins had been a mainstay in the event since its inception, but travel concerns and changes in scheduling led to their exit.
Enter St. John’s, coached by the iconic Rick Pitino. The Red Storm are a historic program in their own right, and under Pitino’s leadership, they are undergoing a renaissance. Adding St. John’s to the lineup not only brings more East Coast flavor to the event but sets the stage for an emotionally charged matchup against Kentucky—Pitino’s former team.
Pitino won a national championship with the Wildcats in 1996 and has remained a polarizing figure in college basketball. His return to face Kentucky will undoubtedly add extra intrigue and media attention to the second game of the doubleheader.
National Spotlight and Television Coverage
The CBS Sports Classic has always been about more than just wins and losses—it’s about branding, exposure, and building momentum for March. The games will air nationally on CBS and will also be available for streaming via Paramount+, giving fans around the country access to high-stakes, non-conference action at a time when most teams are still fine-tuning their rotations.
These games also serve as a valuable preview for March Madness, as the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee often considers performance in non-conference games when seeding teams. A win over a powerhouse like North Carolina could boost Ohio State’s resume significantly, just as a strong showing from UNC could further cement their national standing.
Ticket Sales and Travel Packages
Fans eager to see the games in person can start making travel plans soon. According to event organizers, official travel packages will go on sale in August and will include game tickets, hotel accommodations, and additional fan experiences.
General public ticket sales will begin later that month, with strong demand expected—especially from fanbases like Kentucky and North Carolina that travel well. Given the significance of the matchups and the venue’s central location, a sellout crowd is likely.
Why This Game Matters for Ohio State
For Ohio State, the 2025 CBS Sports Classic is about more than just avenging past losses. It’s an opportunity to make a national statement. Under a young, energetic head coach in Jake Diebler, the Buckeyes are looking to reassert themselves as one of the premier programs in the country.
A win over North Carolina would go a long way toward proving that Ohio State is back on the national stage and capable of competing with the best. It would also instill confidence heading into Big Ten play, where the Buckeyes face a grueling schedule filled with teams like Michigan State, Illinois, Purdue, and Indiana.
This game also gives Ohio State a chance to test their chemistry, depth, and resilience under the bright lights—a valuable experience for players who haven’t yet competed on such a big national stage.
What’s Next
As the 2025-26 college basketball season inches closer, all eyes will be on these four programs and how they build their rosters over the summer. Between returning stars, incoming freshmen, and transfer portal additions, the makeup of each team could change dramatically by the time December rolls around.
Recruiting will play a huge role, especially for Ohio State and St. John’s, both of whom are in transitional phases and looking to capitalize on momentum. For North Carolina and Kentucky, it’s about maintaining excellence and proving they’re still among the sport’s elite.
Regardless of who takes the court on December 20 in Atlanta, fans can expect high-level basketball, passionate crowds, and the kind of drama that only college basketball can deliver.
The 2025 CBS Sports Classic is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the college basketball season. With Ohio State taking on North Carolina, and Kentucky facing off against St. John’s, the doubleheader promises high drama, elite talent, and national implications.
For Ohio State, it’s a chance at redemption, growth, and re-establishing its basketball brand. For North Carolina, it’s another opportunity to flex its muscle on the national stage. And for fans, it’s a can’t-miss event that captures everything we love about the game.
Circle your calendars: December 20, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. The Buckeyes, the Tar Heels, and college basketball’s grandest stage await.
