The Game: Ohio State vs Michigan Betting Tips
The Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines have the greatest football rivalry in sports. But what fans and gamblers overlook is that the basketball version of this rivalry is heated, intense, and often played for high stakes.
Michigan is ahead of Ohio State in the Big Ten standings, but the Buckeyes are showing improvement under second year head coach Jake Diebler.
On Friday night, the Buckeyes and Wolverines are the showcase game on FOX. Nothing would be a bigger statement about Ohio State’s return to Big Ten basketball prominence than an upset win over the Wolverines.
Of great concern to college basketball gamblers is the status of Michigan’s top player, Yazel Lendeborg, who is trying to play through a bruised calf and is a game-time decision.
Beating Michigan will be a tall task for Ohio State, but covering the big college basketball spread is certainly possible.
Ohio State at Michigan Preview
On Friday, January 23, 2026, the Michigan Wolverines will host the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, MI. Tipoff time is 8 p.m. ET with television coverage on FOX.
Public Betting Odds Factors
- The Buckeyes will be an enhanced value based on the megabrand of Michigan and its well-publicized success.
- Michigan has lost betting value recently based on too much notoriety and attention from the casual sector.
Ohio State at Michigan Predictions
Handicapping Factors to Consider
- Michigan has the better and deeper team with superior metrics.
- The Michigan price is high but justified based on the matchup.
- Ohio State is not in Michigan’s class.
- Michigan has controlled the payout window in home games with Ohio State.
Ohio State at Michigan Prime Best Bet: Michigan Wolverines
Ohio State at Michigan Betting Tips
Ohio State Buckeyes
- Ohio State has national metrics of 101st for scoring offense, 21st for field goal percentage, 178th for 3-point field goal percentage, 4th for free throw percentage, and 228th for offensive rebounding.
- On defense, the Buckeyes have national metrics of 99th for scoring defense, 72nd for field goal percentage permitted, 39th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 29th for defensive rebounding.
- The Ohio State Buckeyes are 13-5 straight up, 8-10 against the spread, and 9-9 over/under the total. Late, Ohio State has covered three out of their last four games.
- The Buckeyes have gone under the total in three of its previous five matchups.
Michigan Wolverines
- Michigan has national metrics of 7th for scoring offense, 8th for field goal percentage, 105th for 3-point field goal percentage, 155th for free throw percentage, and 12th for offensive rebounding.
- On defense, the Buckeyes have national metrics of 40th for scoring defense, 2nd for field goal percentage permitted, 42nd for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 60th for defensive rebounding.
- The Michigan Wolverines are 17-1 straight up, 9-9 against the spread, and 7-11 over/under the total. Late on, Michigan has covered one out of their last six games.
- The Wolverines have gone under the total in five of its previous six matchups.
Ohio State at Michigan Head-to-Head and Key Stats
Specifically, Michigan covered the spread in eight of its last 12 home games against Ohio State.
The Buckeyes and Wolverines have gone under the total in six of their last eight games at Michigan.
Michigan covered the spread in four of its last five games overall against Ohio State.
Only one of the last five meetings between the Buckeyes and Wolverines went under the total.
Ohio State covered the college basketball pointspread in only three of its last ten away games.
Ohio State went under the total in four of its last six away games.
Michigan covered the spread in five of its last six home games.
The Wolverines went under the total in three of their last five home games.
