Rutgers vs Ohio State Prediction 1/2/26 College Basketball Picks Today
Ohio State (9-3) vs. Rutgers (7-6)
January 2, 2026 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Rutgers +9; Over/Under: 150.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights meet Friday in college basketball action from the Jersey Mike’s Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights prediction.
Ohio State Buckeyes Recap
The Ohio State Buckeyes come into this game looking to build on their 89-63 win over Grambling last time out to sit at 9-3 this season. After this game, Ohio State will head home for a game against Nebraska.
Buckeyes Alternate Wins & Losses In 7 Straight
Bruce Thornton leads the Buckeyes in scoring and assists with 21 PPG along with 4.8 RPG and 4.2 APG while Christoph Tilly has 13.3 PPG with 5.9 RPG and 2.8 APG to lead the Buckeyes in rebounding. John Mobley Jr. has 14.3 PPG with 2.3 RPG and 2.8 APG and Devin Royal has 14 PPG with 5.7 RPG to round out the group of double-digit scorers for Ohio State so far this season. Amare Bynum has 8.9 PPG with 4.9 RPG as well so far this season. As a team, Ohio State is averaging 86.3 PPG on 50.9% shooting from the field, 33.7% from three and 78.8% from the foul line this season.
Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win
- Ohio State has won nine of its last 10 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Rutgers has lost each of its last four night games against Conference opponents.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Recap
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights come into this game looking to add on to their 65-50 win over Delaware State last time out to sit at 7-6 this season. After this game, Rutgers will take on Oregon at home.
Scarlet Knights Win Back-To-Back Games
Dylan Grant leads Rutgers in scoring with 14.4 PPG along with 6.1 RPG while Tariq Francis has 13.6 PPG with 2.5 RPG and 2.2 APG as the only other double-digit scorer for Rutgers so far this season. Jamichael Davis has 7.6 PPG with 2.6 RPG and a team-high 2.6 APG to lead the Scarlet Knights in assists. Emmanuel Ogbole has 5.3 PPG with a team-high 7 RPG to lead Rutgers on the glass so far this season. As a team, Rutgers is averaging 68.7 PPG on 40.3% shooting from the field, 32.3% from three and 70.8% from the foul line this season.
Why the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will win
- Rutgers has won eight of its last nine games at Jersey Mike’s Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Ohio State has lost each of its last seven Friday night games against Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the last 16 games between Ohio State and Rutgers have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.
- Four of Ohio State’s last five games have produced a total of 152+ points.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Prediction
I’m on Ohio State here. It’s a big number to lay with the Buckeyes on the road, but Rutgers has seriously shown me little to nothing to think that they can hang here. Ohio State hasn’t played a tough schedule, but Rutgers isn’t a team that changes that, and the Scarlet Knights for my money are probably going to be one of the worst teams in the Big Ten this season. I’ll roll with Ohio State in this one.
