Preview for the 2023 Legends of Basketball Showcase

Check out a preview including odds, players to watch and quotes for the 2023 Legends of Basketball Showcase tripleheader that is scheduled to tip off December 30 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland! The upcoming event is slotted to get underway as non-conference opponents square off in the storied venue on Saturday evening, highlighted by the Ohio State Buckeyes facing the West Virginia Mountaineers in the mid-season showcase finale!

2023 Legends of Basketball Showcase schedule revealed

Davidson (-1.5) vs Ohio at 1:30 PM

Akron vs St. Bonaventure (-2.5) at 4:00 PM

Ohio State (-10.5) vs West Virginia at 7:00 PM

Davidson is set to face Ohio in the Legends of Basketball Showcase opener at 1:30 PM on ESPN+. Following a recent loss to St. Mary’s, Davidson has won six straight games and owns a 9-3 record including a win over Maryland. Ohio enters with a 6-5 record. Players to watch include Ohio guard and Cleveland product Elmore James, plus Davidson senior duo Connor Kochera and David Skogman. James is posting 12.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

St. Bonaventure takes on Akron for the fourth time in school history at 4:00 PM on ESPN+. Both teams come into the event with an 8-3 record as Akron is riding a 4-game win streak, while St. Bonaventure is 6-1 in their last seven outings. Akron forward and Cleveland native Enrique Freeman is among key players along with St. Bonaventure veteran guard Mika Adams-Woods. The first meeting between Akron and St. Bonaventure took place in 1942.

The Legends of Basketball Showcase wraps up with Ohio State taking on West Virginia at 7:00 PM on FOX. Ohio State and West Virginia met 17 times with the most recent matchup in 2019. Despite losing eight of nine games against West Virginia, the Buckeyes lead the all-time series with a 9-8 record. Ohio State is fueled by guard Bruce Thornton and forward Jamison Battle, while West Virginia is led by reigning Big 12 Player of the Week guard RaeQuan Battle.

"We're excited to partner once again with The National Basketball Retired Players Association to stage the second edition of the Legends of Basketball Showcase, especially with the lineup of programs that will be participating," Intersport Vice President of Basketball Mark Starsiak recently said. "This tripleheader features successful regional programs that have achieved national success and boast passionate fan bases, which will create a can't miss atmosphere."

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