Ohio State vs Penn State Prediction 1/26/26 College Basketball Picks Today

In this article we will formulate an Ohio State vs Penn State prediction for this College Basketball game on Monday, January 26th at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 13-6 (5-4) this season after they lost to Michigan by a score of 74-62 in their last game. Ohio State trailed 33-30 at halftime and they allowed 41 points in the second half in the loss. The Buckeyes shot 41% from the field, 30% on three pointers, and 67% on free throws in the game. John Mobley Jr led OSU with 22 points and two assists, while Christoph Tilly added 17 points and four rebounds in the loss. 

Prior to that game, Ohio State defeated Minnesota by a score of 82-74 and UCLA by a score of 86-74. The Buckeyes have scored 82.1 points per game with 36.4 rebounds and 15.4 assists per game, while they have allowed 72.3 points against per game this season. Bruce Thornton is averaging 20.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while John Mobley Jr is averaging 15.6 points and 2.7 assists per game for the Buckeyes. Ohio State is shooting 49.3% from the field, 78.5% on free throws, and 33.7% on three pointers this season. 

Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Preview

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 9-10 (0-8) this year after they lost to Wisconsin by a score of 98-71 in their last game. Penn State trailed 50-22 at halftime, but they did score 49 points in the second half in the loss. The Nittany Lions shot 36% from the field, 30% on three pointers, and 74% on free throws in the game. Josh Reed led Penn State with 18 points and six rebounds, while Freddie Dilione V added 17 points and four rebounds in the loss. 

Prior to that game, Penn State lost to Maryland by a score of 96-73 and UCLA by a score of 71-60. The Nittany Lions have scored 76.5 points per game with 30.7 rebounds and 13.3 assists per game, while they have allowed 77.4 points against per game this season. Kayden Mingo is averaging 14.6 points and 4.6 assists per game, while Freddie Dilione V is averaging 13.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game for the Nittany Lions. Penn State is shooting 46.6% from the field, 73.5% on free throws, and 32.9% on three pointers this year. 

Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win

• Ohio State has won each of its last 10 games at Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Penn State has lost each of its last eight games against Conference opponents.
• Ohio State has won the first half in 15 of its last 16 night games at Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Penn State Nittany Lions will win

• Penn State has won eight of its last nine Monday games.
• Ohio State has lost the first half in six of its last eight night games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Penn State’s last five road games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 161+ points.
• Six of the last seven games between Penn State and Ohio State have produced a total of 147 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Ohio State ranks 10th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (78.5%).
• Ohio State ranks 22nd among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (29.5%).
• Penn State ranks 363rd among Division 1 teams for blocks per game this season (1.4).
• Penn State ranks 8th among Division 1 teams for turnovers per game this season (9.1).

Ohio State vs Penn State Prediction 

Penn State comes into this matchup looking for their first Big Ten win of the season and they have allowed 93+ points in three of their last four. The Nittany Lions are shooting 47% from the field, but their defense has been horrible. Ohio State has split their last four games, but they have won their last two home games and they have scored at least 82 points in each of those wins. The Buckeyes are shooting 49% from the field and they should have a nice rebounding advantage here. I think Ohio State will cover, but I will take the over, as neither team is great on defense.