The Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor, MI. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
Michigan is favored by 15.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -2400. The total is set at 162.5 points.
Here’s my Ohio State vs. Michigan prediction and college basketball picks for January 23, 2026.
Ohio State vs Michigan Prediction
My Pick: Michigan -15.5
My Ohio State vs Michigan best bet is on the Wolverines 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.
Ohio State vs. Michigan Odds
| Ohio State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+15.5 -112 | 162.5 -110 / -110 | +1200 |
| Michigan Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-15.5 -108 | 162.5 -110 / -110 | -2400 |
- Ohio State vs Michigan spread: Michigan -15.5
- Ohio State vs Michigan over/under: 162.5 points
- Ohio State vs Michigan moneyline: Ohio State +1200, Michigan -2400
Ohio State vs Michigan College Basketball Betting Preview
Ohio State Basketball
Ohio State is 13-5 overall and 5-3 in the Big Ten after its overtime win against Minnesota.
John Mobley Jr. hit five 3s on his way to 26 points in the overtime versus the Gophers, and the team's leading scorer — Bruce Thornton — had 23 points.
Thornton is one of the top bucket getters in the country. He's posted three straight games with 20 points or more, and the 20.7 point-per-game scorer had 34 points on 13-of-17 shooting against Illinois earlier this season.
He's extremely good at using his body to bump defenders off their line and elevate for a short mid-range jumper inside the paint.
It'll be a fun matchup to watch Thornton attempting to use his strength to get to his spots on the floor while facing the best 2-point defense in the Big Ten.
The X-factor to watch for Ohio State is Mobley. He's averaging 27 points in the last two games, but in four of the Buckeyes' five losses this season, Mobley has been a non-factor.
Outside of the Nebraska loss, Mobley averages 7.5 points per game while shooting 30% from the field.
He's made 11 3s in the last two games, and the 3-point line is an area Michigan struggles to guard.
Michigan Basketball
The Wolverines are 17-1 overall and 7-1 in Big Ten play after its 86-72 win against Indiana.
Michigan owes us one after it coasted in the last 10 minutes of the game versus the Hoosiers, resulting in Indiana covering the spread. The Wolverines were up 66-41 with 10:28 left, but they only scored one field goal for the rest of the game, and it was a Yaxel Lendeborg highlight dunk.
Michigan dominated the glass, as Indiana's leading rebounder had four and every starter for the Wolverines had at least four boards.
Now the Wolverines are facing an Ohio State team that's even worse at finishing possessions on the glass than Indiana.
After a zero-point performance against Washington, Elliot Cadeau has bounced back nicely, averaging 18 points in the last two outings while shooting a combined 10-of-19 from the field.
Cadeau's ability to push tempo against a defensive team like Ohio State — which doesn't force turnovers — could result in a lot of transition points.
Ohio State vs. Michigan Betting Analysis
Michigan still has the best 2-point defense and shot-blocking rate in the Big Ten.
Though teams have shot well from 3 against the Wolverines, they're facing an Ohio State team that likes to get into the paint.
I like Michigan's defensive strength over Ohio State's offensive strength.
Dusty May isn't going to let what happened against Indiana happen again, especially in back-to-back home games.
Michigan plays a full 40 minutes in this one.
My Pick: Michigan -15.5
