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

CINCINNATI — The Xavier Musketeers men’s basketball team will participate in the inaugural CareSource Invitational, an outdoor exhibition doubleheader featuring four of Ohio’s 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 venue, which traditionally hosts the Cincinnati Open tennis tournament, will be transformed into a basketball court for matchups involving Xavier University, the University of Dayton, Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati.

The exhibition will serve as a fundraiser and awareness event supporting mental health and suicide prevention initiatives. The CareSource Invitational will continue its mission of promoting mental health conversations through its message, “It’s OK to not be OK.”

“We are excited to be part of this four-team CareSource Invitational, which will not only increase conversations around mental health issues but raise funds for nonprofit mental health and suicide prevention organizations,” Xavier head coach Richard Pitino said. “This issue impacts lives throughout Ohio and across the country.”

The event is the fourth edition of the CareSource Invitational, which has focused on supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Organizers hope the event will encourage discussions about mental health while bringing together college basketball communities across the state.

Historic Ohio Rivalries Featured in Doubleheader

The CareSource Invitational will feature two games involving four programs with longstanding histories.

The opening matchup will feature the Cincinnati Bearcats facing the Ohio State Buckeyes. The rivalry between the two programs dates back to the early years of college basketball and gained national attention when the teams met in consecutive NCAA championship games in 1961 and 1962.

The second game of the evening will feature Xavier against the Dayton Flyers, continuing a rivalry that began in 1920. The Musketeers and Flyers have played numerous memorable games throughout their histories, making the matchup one of the longest-running rivalries involving Ohio basketball programs.

The Xavier-Dayton matchup also follows a recent exhibition meeting between the two teams hosted by CareSource and the University of Dayton at UD Arena on October 20, 2024.

Lindner Family Tennis Center Hosts Basketball for the First Time

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

The expansion, completed through a partnership involving the City of Mason, Warren County and the State of Ohio, transformed the 40-acre property into a year-round sports and entertainment destination.

“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 represents one of the first major sporting events to showcase the expanded capabilities of the venue beyond tennis.

Ticket Information

Xavier has received an allotment of 1,000 tickets for the event. All For One Fund members and Xavier men’s basketball season ticket holders will receive information through email regarding the ticket request process.

Additional details regarding public ticket availability will be announced later.

The CareSource Invitational will bring together four of Ohio’s most recognizable basketball programs while supporting mental health awareness efforts. For Xavier, the exhibition will provide an opportunity to compete against a familiar rival while participating in an event focused on community outreach and advocacy.