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The Ohio State Buckeyes take on the BYU Cougars in Salt Lake City, Utah. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
BYU is favored by -3.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -148. The total is set at 160.5 points.
Here’s my Ohio State vs. BYU prediction and college basketball picks for November 2, 2026.
Ohio State vs BYU Prediction
Pick: BYU ML -148
My Ohio State vs BYU best bet is on the Cougars to win. Be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page and download the Action Network app for the latest picks and analysis.
Ohio State vs. BYU Odds
| Ohio State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 160.5 -115o / -105u | +124 |
| BYU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 160.5 -115o / -105u | -148 |
- Ohio State vs BYU spread: BYU -3.5 (-110), Ohio State +3.5 (-110)
- Ohio State vs BYU over/under: 160.5 (-115o / -105u)
- Ohio State vs BYU moneyline: Ohio State +124, BYU -148
Ohio State vs BYU College Basketball Preview
Ohio State Basketball
Following the loss of longtime veteran Bruce Thornton Jr., the Ohio State will look to returning starters John Mobley Jr. and Amare Bynum to become the new leaders and faces of this program.
Outside of those two, the Buckeyes return just two other players, Myles Herro and Josh Ojianwuna, both of whom are still developing.
However, there's plenty of talk about Ojianwuna taking a massive step forward this season. The senior hasn't played since February 2025, when he was at Baylor, as he's been recovering from a torn ACL.
If he's fully healthy, the big fella should make a significant impact on both ends of the floor.
He's also reportedly added a jump shot to his game, which would be another big development for the Buckeyes.
BYU Basketball
The sport your father, stepfather and uncle used to love and adore is completely different. We now have guys who have played actual minutes in the NBA Summer League trying to return to college basketball for another season.
That's exactly what former Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler is doing.
Following an Exhibit 10 contract with the Jazz, Kohler has returned to the college circuit to play for the Cougars and is officially eligible to suit up this season.
Kohler averaged 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game while shooting 38.9% from deep last season for Tom Izzo and the Spartans.
His experience and talent will add plenty of depth to this Cougars lineup, which also returns former starter Robert Wright III. Wright averaged 18.1 points and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 46.7% from the floor in 2025-26.
If the Cougars can move the ball a little more efficiently this season, they are once again going to be a force to be reckoned with. Last season, BYU ranked 334th out of 365 teams in assists per field goal made, despite somehow finishing with the 12th-best offense, per KenPom.
Another notable addition comes from Kentucky in Collin Chandler, who led the Wildcats in 3-pointers made last season with 73, knocking them down at a 41% clip.
Chandler should help spread the floor even more for an offense that already has plenty of firepower.
Get ready to fear going into Provo once again.
Ohio State vs. BYU Pick, Betting Analysis
How could you not be on the side of a guy who played four years under college basketball legend Izzo and got a taste of NBA Summer League action?
Now, he's stepping into a system that runs an NBA-style offense, featuring fast-paced, spaced-out, efficient basketball. He'll be complemented by Wright, who finished second to AJ Dybantsa in scoring last season.
And even with those two leading the way, the Cougars have plenty of depth.
Ohio State has some familiarity with Mobley and Bynum, but it's tough for me not to back a guy who has already gotten a taste of the professional level, especially when he's joining a team with another player who played alongside a pro last season.
Screw the points. It's way too early for those. Give me the Cougars to secure their first win of the season.
Pick: BYU ML -148
