Does the NBA lockout have you down? Wondering where you will get your basketball fix if the NBA doesn't have a season?

Head south on I-71 to watch the Buckeyes. Ohio State should be ranked in the top 5 in the preseason with the likes of Jared Sullinger, William Buford and Aaron Craft back for the 2011-12 season.

The non-conference schedule is loaded with marquee games. The first is a biggie, maybe the biggest non-conference game is some time in Columbus. Duke and Coach K visit the Buckeyes as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Nov. 29. Also playing in Columbus is Florida on Nov. 15. The Gators were one game from the Final Four last season and should be talented again this season. The other big non-conference game for OSU is at Kansas on Dec. 10.

Add in an always-tough Big Ten slate and there should be no shortage of OSU hoops games to check out while the NBA and its players sort out their labor mess.

- Mark Podolski