Cincinnati Men’s Basketball to Participate in Historic Outdoor Exhibition Doubleheader Featuring Xavier, Dayton and Ohio State

CINCINNATI — The University of Cincinnati men’s basketball team will take part in the inaugural CareSource Invitational, an outdoor exhibition doubleheader featuring four of Ohio’s most prominent Division I basketball programs.

The event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, at the newly renovated Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio. The home of the Cincinnati Open will be transformed from a tennis venue into an outdoor basketball arena, hosting exhibition matchups involving Cincinnati, Xavier University, the University of Dayton and Ohio State University.

The CareSource Invitational will focus on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, with proceeds from the event supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to those causes. The event will continue the CareSource Invitational’s ongoing message, “It’s OK to not be OK,” which encourages open conversations about mental health.

Bearcats Renew Historic Rivalry With Ohio State

The event will begin with the Cincinnati Bearcats facing the Ohio State Buckeyes in a matchup between two of the state’s most recognizable college basketball programs.

The Cincinnati-Ohio State rivalry has a long history, dating back more than a century, with some of its most memorable moments coming on the national stage. The programs met in consecutive NCAA championship games in 1961 and 1962, with Cincinnati winning both matchups to claim back-to-back national titles.

The matchup will provide another opportunity for the Bearcats and Buckeyes to compete in a rivalry that has featured numerous memorable games throughout college basketball history.

Event Focused on Mental Health Awareness

The CareSource Invitational is in its fourth year and has centered on supporting mental health initiatives through college athletics. The event aims to increase awareness, reduce stigma surrounding mental health challenges and raise funds for organizations focused on mental health support and suicide prevention.

The exhibition doubleheader will bring together four Division I programs from across Ohio while highlighting the importance of community involvement and mental health advocacy.

First Basketball Event at Renovated Lindner Family Tennis Center

The CareSource Invitational will mark the first time the Lindner Family Tennis Center hosts a basketball event following a $260 million renovation project completed in August 2025.

The transformation expanded the 40-acre facility into a year-round sports and entertainment destination through a partnership involving the City of Mason, Warren County and the State of Ohio.

“The CareSource Invitational is exactly the type of unique event we envisioned when we reimagined the Lindner Family Tennis Center beyond the Cincinnati Open,” Beemok Sports & Entertainment President Bob Moran said. “Center Court has long been the stage for unforgettable moments, and we’re excited to create an atmosphere and energy that will be unlike anything college basketball fans have experienced before.”

The event will serve as an early opportunity for fans to experience the expanded capabilities of the venue while watching four of Ohio’s top basketball programs compete.

Cincinnati Ticket Information

Each participating university has received an allotment of 1,000 tickets for the event. Cincinnati ticket information, including availability for Bearcats supporters, will be announced at a later date.

The CareSource Invitational will bring together Cincinnati, Xavier, Dayton and Ohio State for a unique celebration of Ohio basketball while supporting mental health awareness efforts.

For the Bearcats, the exhibition will provide an opportunity to continue one of the program’s historic rivalries while participating in an event that combines college basketball competition with a broader community mission.