The Grambling Tigers take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET on BTN.
Ohio State is favored by -27.5 points on the spread, and the total is set at 149.5 points.
Here’s my Grambling vs. Ohio State predictions and college basketball picks for December 23, 2025.
Grambling vs Ohio State Prediction
My Pick: Grambling +25 or Better
My Grambling vs Ohio State best bet is on the Tigers to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Grambling vs. Ohio State Odds
| Grambling Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+27.5 -110 | 149.5 -110 / -110 | OFF |
| Ohio State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-27.5 -110 | 149.5 -110 / -110 | OFF |
- Grambling vs Ohio State spread: Ohio State -27.5
- Grambling vs Ohio State over/under: 149.5 points
Grambling vs Ohio State College Basketball Betting Preview
I can't say I've found a good reason for Ohio State to be hosting a SWAC team on a Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET. I do know that means we'll get a good look at a team with postseason dreams in a window without much action amidst a holiday week.
That's a good enough reason to dive into this matchup and find some value on a side.
Grambling Basketball
The Tigers' offense has a pretty defined identity. Grambling is in the top 20 nationally in free-throw rate, led by top scorer Antonio Munoz. He's taken 83 free throws this season, compared to just 99 field goals. The Tigers, as a team, emphasize earning freebies.
It's an issue, therefore, that Grambling isn't very good at shooting free throws, especially Munoz. He's making just 62% from the stripe in his freshman season, and it's likely not a cold streak, as he's also 0-for-7 from beyond the arc.
Making matters worse for Grambling, the Tigers turn the ball over before finding a shot or drawing a foul far too often. Grambling averages 15 turnovers per game, with nearly 22% of its possessions ending in a turnover.
Three different Tigers cough it up at least 2.5 times per game. Against its only power-conference opponent, Grambling suffered 19 turnovers in a 40-point loss to Iowa State.
Ohio State Basketball
The Buckeyes exist in the murky middle of power-conference teams. In the age of massive mega-conferences, it can take until February to have a proper grip on this class of team.
With Christmas looming, Ohio State hasn't beaten a team you'd project to play in the NCAA Tournament field this March. The Buckeyes also haven't lost to a non-power conference team.
Losing to a very bad Pitt team at the buzzer stings, but it was also a true road game against an ACC opponent. It's hard to lose sleep about that one.
The Buckeyes come into this game after a wild date with North Carolina. Ohio State both made a charging comeback from down 11 in the second half and blew a lead in the final minute of the game, where the Buckeyes' win probability nudged over 80%.
Ohio State has a roster of mostly homegrown talent. In that game against Carolina, Jake Diebler started a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior, each of whom has played their entire career as a Buckeye.
In the modern landscape of the game, a program with the resources of Ohio State could likely be swinging bigger in the portal and finding its way into a better situation than being desperately bubble-bound.
Grambling vs. Ohio State Betting Analysis
There's a chance Ohio State comes out after a disappointing loss to North Carolina — a game the Buckeyes could and should have stolen on Saturday — and simply blows the door off a lesser opponent.
As mentioned, Grambling has only played one good team this season, and it got rolled in that one.
Iowa State, however, is a class or two above the Buckeyes, and we haven't seen Grambling play this caliber of opponent.
Grambling's biggest weakness (turning the ball over) isn't an area of strength for the Buckeyes' defense. Ohio State only forces a turnover rate of around 16%, outside the nation's top 200.
I think Grambling can make this closer than most will think.
My Pick: Grambling +25 or Better
