Where Tennis meets Hoops: Cincinnati Open Hosts Outdoor Basketball Exhibition

Just 45 days after Coco Gauff triumphantly raised her arms to celebrate winning her second Cincinnati Open title, the tennis net was down, replaced by nets on a pair of basketball hoops as Center Court was transformed to host an outdoor basketball doubleheader on Oct. 7. 

The CareSource Invitational brought four regional universities – Xavier, the University of Cincinnati, Dayton and Ohio State – to the Cincinnati Open Sporting Club for outdoor preseason exhibition games that were played under clear skies in front of 11,017 fans.  

The opening game between OSU and UC tipped off in mid-afternoon, with coaches from both schools donning sunglasses on the sidelines. Cincinnati outscored the Buckeyes by 16 points in the second period to erase a halftime deficit and prevail 79-68. 

Xavier led throughout in the second game, which finished just after sunset. The Musketeers held off a UD rally that got the Flyers within one point late in the second half to come away with an 82-76 win.  

Coaches and players from both schools were quick to compliment the event.  

“What an awesome experience, playing outside,” said Ohio State Head Coach Jake Diebler. “This is an unbelievable facility.” 

Dayton Head Coach Anthony Grant was also impressed, saying, “This was one hell of an event. I thought the crowd was great.” 

The players, too, enjoyed the experience. “First time playing outdoor basketball, like a real game,” said Xavier guard Ruben Dominguez. “It was pretty cool.” 

Former Chicago Bull Scottie Pippen was among those in attendance as he watched his son, Justin, play for Ohio State. 

The CareSource Invitational supports mental health awareness with a focus on the foundational message “It’s OK to not be OK.” In addition to normalizing mental health conversations, the collegiate games raise funds for nonprofit mental health and suicide prevention organizations.