The Michigan Wolverines take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
Michigan is favored by 9.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -450. The total is set at 159.5 points.
Here’s my Michigan vs. Ohio State predictions and college basketball picks for February 8, 2026.
Michigan vs Ohio State Prediction
My Pick: Ohio State +9.5 (Play to +7.5)
My Michigan vs Ohio State best bet is on the Buckeyes against the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Michigan vs. Ohio State Odds
| Michigan Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -110 | 159.5 -110 / -110 | -450 |
| Ohio State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -110 | 159.5 -110 / -110 | +350 |
- Michigan vs Ohio State spread: Michigan -9.5
- Michigan vs Ohio State over/under: 159.5 points
- Michigan vs Ohio State moneyline: Michigan -450, Ohio State +350
Michigan vs Ohio State College Basketball Betting Preview
Michigan Basketball
Michigan is 21-1 and has yet to lose a road game this season. The Wolverines bounced back from their one loss this season by winning eight straight games.
The Wolverines' defense is terrific, leading the sport in defensive efficiency, per KenPom. They hold opponents to 42.6% shooting on 2s (2nd) and 29.3% from deep (10th).
Michigan's positional size can make life tough for opposing teams. At the small forward to center spot, Michigan starts Yaxel Lendeborg (6-foot-9, 240 pounds), Morez Johnson Jr. (6-foot-9, 250 pounds) and Aday Mara (7-foot-3, 255 pounds).
Simply put, you aren't scoring on the long-armed Wolverines inside, so get ready to shoot it from deep.
Transition scoring is a huge part of Michigan's offense. It ranks fifth in average offense possession length, and it can get running in transition off forcing tough shots.
The Wolverines' offense is solid, but it isn't flawless. They rank seventh in offensive efficiency, per KenPom.
Unsurprisingly, it's the most efficient 2-point offense in the country, hitting 62% from that range.
Shooting from deep is an issue, though. You can look at their season-long 35.8% from 3, but it's at 31% over their last 10 games. Blowing out teams is a lot tougher without draining 3s, like Michigan did when it was beating teams by 30+ routinely.
The Wolverines battered the Buckeyes' interior in the first matchup, shooting over 70% on 2s.
The best shooter of the bunch is Elliot Cadeau, who drills over 40% from deep. Freshman Trey McKenney can get hot from deep (36%), as can Nimari Burnett (40%).
But the floor spacing can be a little dicey in the half-court due to overall shooting issues.
Ohio State Basketball
Ohio State is in the NCAA Tournament mix, but it lacks high-end wins. There's no better way to fix that than by beating Michigan, right?
The Buckeyes certainly have the offense to cause problems for Michigan. The home team ranks 22nd in offensive efficiency, per KenPom.
The dangerous part of Ohio State's attack is its ability to attack inside and out. That starts with stud point guard Bruce Thornton, who leads the Buckeyes with 19 points per game while shooting 56% from the field and 40% from deep. He's the type of guard a team needs to pick up a big upset win.
He'll need help, though. John Mobley Jr. is the perfect complement to Thornton due to his ability to drain 3s at a 41% clip. He scored 22 and hit four 3s in Ohio State's previous game against Michigan.
The key for Ohio State is the bigs. It has a clear size disadvantage compared to Michigan — most teams do, but Ohio State is much smaller. Amare Bynum and Devin Royal are both physical bigs, but both are smaller than Lendeborg and Johnson at the three and four.
Christoph Tilly can be the X-factor in many ways. For one, he can battle Mara a bit. He also has the offensive weaponry to be a nice third option next to the guards. He scored 17 in Ohio State's loss against Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Defense can be an issue for Ohio State, as it ranks 73rd in defensive efficiency, per KenPom. Opponents shoot 52% against the Buckeyes' interior, which ranks 211th nationally.
That has to be cleaned up against Michigan.
Michigan vs. Ohio State Betting Analysis
I think the spread is a bit too high. Ohio State is a solid team, but it hasn't played well enough against top-tier competition.
If the Buckeyes can keep Michigan off the boards, I think that'll change.
The Wolverines and Buckeyes tied with 12 offensive boards when they last played. If that number stays close, Ohio State will have a chance to upset Michigan.
My Pick: Ohio State +9.5 (Play to +7.5)
