Ohio State Buckeyes vs Michigan Wolverines Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/23/2026

Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Friday, January 23, 2026

Venue:  Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, MI

Where to Watch:  FOX

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Ohio State +15.5, Michigan -15.5; Over/Under:  162.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Ohio State +15.5, Michigan -15.5; Over/Under:  162.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Ohio State +15.5, Michigan -15.5; Over/Under:  162.5 points

Ohio State Buckeyes:  13-5 (5-3) (7th place, Big Ten)

Michigan Wolverines:  17-1 (7-1) (2nd place, Big Ten)

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Ohio State Buckeyes:  3-2  last 5

Michigan Wolverines:  4-1  last 5

Ohio State is entering this game with a 13-5 record overall, a 5-3 record in conference games, and they are 3-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in their last game. John Mobley Jr. led the team in points in that game with 26 while Bruce Thornton was next on the team with 23. Bruce Thornton led the team in assists with 3 in that game while Ivan Njegovan led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 47.7% from the field, 29.2% from 3-point range, and 72.2% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 83.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 72.2 PPG against them. Ohio State has an ATS record of 7-10-1 this season and their O/U record is 9-9.

Michigan is entering this game with a 17-1 record overall, a 7-1 conference record, and they are 8-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Indiana Hoosiers in their last game. Elliot Cadeau led the team in points in that game with 19 while Yaxel Lendeborg was next on the team with 15. Yaxel Lendeborg led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Morez Johnson Jr. led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 50.9% from the field, 40% from 3-point range, and 66.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 92.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 69 PPG against them. Michigan has an ATS record of 9-9 this season and their O/U record is 7-11.

The current betting odds have Michigan listed as a 15.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Michigan has looked great in their games this season with their 17-1 record overall and their 7-1 conference record which has them right near the top of the Big Ten. They have looked great on their home court too with their 8-1 home record this year. Meanwhile, Ohio State has looked good in their games this season with their 13-5 record overall and their 5-3 conference record which has them in the top half of the Big Ten. They have been a good road team too with their 3-2 road record this season. Ohio State is off a win over Minnesota in their last one and they have won 2 games in a row now, but they are still 3-2 in their last 5 games and have been really up and down in conference play. They have picked up some nice wins this season and have even played in some tight games against good teams, losing to Nebraska by 3, but this is one of the best teams that they are going to see all year, and Ohio State didn't really see a lot of good opponents in the preseason. Michigan has looked like one of the best teams in the nation all season and even their only loss this year was a really tight game where Wisconsin wasn't missing anything. They have been starting to roll again since taking that loss, winning 3 games in a row now, and they have been blowing teams out in these games. Ohio State hasn't really been tested by many solid opponents this year and they don't have the talent that Michigan has. Michigan is also off a double digit win over Indiana in their last one and this game will be no different as Michigan looks to make a statement. The best way to place a bet here is on Michigan to cover the spread in this game. 

Ohio State Michigan Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Friday, January 23, 2026 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Michigan 100 Ohio State 77.

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Ohio State Buckeyes: 4-8 ATS off a home win against a conference rival. 6-12 ATS after playing 2 consecutive home games. 10-16 ATS versus good rebounding teams - outrebounding opponents by 4+ per game. 11-2 UNDER when playing against a top-level team (Win Pct. > 80%). 9-5 UNDER versus up-tempo teams averaging 62 or more shots/game.

Michigan Wolverines: 6-3 ATS as a home favorite or pick. 8-4 ATS after 3 or more consecutive wins. 6-2 ATS versus good defensive teams - shooting pct defense of 42% or less. 17-4 UNDER after failing to cover the spread in 3 or more consecutive games. 20-12 UNDER versus good rebounding teams - outrebounding opponents by 4+ per game.

Ohio State Buckeyes:  B. Noel (F) Questionable - Foot. M. Herro (G) Out - Redshirt. J. Ojianwuna (F) Questionable - Knee.

Michigan Wolverines:  R. Liburd (G-F) Out - Redshirt.

"I'm proud of the way that our guys responded out of timeouts, executed plays, and then ultimately got the job done. So that's the most important thing, and this is life in the Big Ten." - Jake Diebler after his team’s win against Minnesota in their last game. 

"When you factor in the free throws and things like that, we could have been better. But to go across the country and play three games in seven days and get back home, we'll take it and move on and try to be our absolute best by March, April." - Dusty May after his team’s win against Indiana in their last game. 

J. Mobley 

B. Noel 

D. Royal 

B. Thornton 

C. Tilly

N. Burnett 

E. Cadeau 

M. Johnson 

Y. Lendeborg 

A. Mara

PPG: Bruce Thornton (20.7)

APG: Bruce Thornton (3.7)

Reb/G: Devin Royal (6.1)

PPG: Yaxel Lendeborg (14.2)

APG: Elliot Cadeau (5)

Reb/G: Aday Mara (7.2)

Coaches:

Ohio State Buckeyes: Jake Diebler (3rd season)

Michigan Wolverines: Dusty May (2nd season)