[Buckskin86]

Updated: July 9, 2009
Isiah Thomas' FIU debut likely at Ohio State
Associated Press

MIAMI -- The next chapter of Isiah Thomas' coaching career will start amid familiar territory for the Hall of Famer: the Big 10.

FIU's new coach is prepping to debut Nov. 9 at Ohio State in the opening round of a Coaches vs. Cancer tournament. The matchup has been in the works for months and is expected to be formally announced later this summer. Thomas -- a Chicago native who grew up watching and eventually playing in the Big 10 -- says it'll add extra significance to his first night with the Golden Panthers.

"Big 10 country," Thomas said Thursday, as he played in a charity golf tournament hosted by Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade, taking a rare break from his FIU workload. "If at some point and time you're going to be able to compete with the big boys, you might as well just jump right into the fire and get started.

"We'll take our lumps during the season," Thomas added. "But if we can be ready by March, that's what you're really peaking for."

Thomas went 1-1 at Columbus during his two seasons playing for Indiana. He knows that record probably won't improve this fall, not with the Buckeyes widely expected to start the season as contenders for a Big 10 championship and FIU simply looking for a new beginning after three 20-loss seasons in the last four years.

"It could be a bad night," Thomas said. "But it's good to go back and start there."

Isiah Thomas' FIU debut likely at Ohio State - Men's College Basketball - ESPN