Iowa Hawkeyes vs Ohio State Buckeyes Picks and Predictions for Thursday March 12 2026
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The Iowa Hawkeyes and Ohio State Buckeyes meet in the Big Ten Tournament 3rd Round on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:00 PM ET with television coverage on BTN. Ohio State enters as a slight favorite with the Buckeyes listed at -1.5, while Iowa comes in at +1.5, and the total for the game is 139.5 according to DraftKings. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily predictions and betting insights.
Hawkeyes Aim to Ride Momentum from Opening Round Win
The Iowa Hawkeyes enter this matchup with a 21-11 overall record and a 10-10 mark in Big Ten play this season. Iowa advanced to this round of the Big Ten Tournament after defeating Maryland 75-64 in the second round. Over their last five games, the Hawkeyes have recently won over Maryland and Ohio State, while also recently losing to Nebraska, Michigan, and Penn State.
As a team, Iowa averages 75.4 points per game while allowing 65.8 points per game this season. The Hawkeyes are shooting 49% from the field, pulling down 29.7 rebounds per game, and averaging 15.2 assists per contest. Defensively, Iowa contributes 2.0 blocks and 7.1 steals per game, reflecting a defense that creates turnovers and opportunities in transition.
In their win over Maryland in the previous round, Cooper Koch led the Hawkeyes with 19 points, shooting 6-of-10 from the field, while Bennett Stirtz controlled the glass with 6 rebounds and also added 8 assists in a strong all-around performance. Iowa shot 51% from the field and 39% from three-point range in that victory. With a quick turnaround in tournament play, the Hawkeyes will look to maintain that shooting efficiency while relying on their disciplined defense to keep Ohio State’s high-scoring offense in check.
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Buckeyes Bring Offensive Firepower into Tournament Play
The Ohio State Buckeyes enter the Big Ten Tournament with a 20-11 overall record and a 12-8 conference record, earning a bye into the third round. Over their last five games, Ohio State has recently won over Indiana, Penn State, and Purdue, while also recently losing to Iowa and Michigan State.
Offensively, Ohio State has been one of the more productive teams in the Big Ten this season, averaging 80.5 points per game while allowing 73.0 points per game. The Buckeyes shoot 50% from the field, collect 33.7 rebounds per game, and average 14.4 assists per contest. On the defensive side, Ohio State contributes 2.4 blocks and 4.9 steals per game, using their size and rebounding advantage to control the paint.
In their most recent win, Ohio State defeated Indiana 91-78, powered by Bruce Thornton’s 25-point performance on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting night while also dishing out 7 assists. Amare Bynum dominated the glass with 9 rebounds in the victory. The Buckeyes shot an impressive 59% from the field and 46% from three-point range in that game. With the extra rest from their first-round bye and a high-powered offense clicking at the right time, Ohio State will look to dictate the pace and take advantage of their offensive efficiency.
Iowa Hawkeyes vs Ohio State Buckeyes Pick
Iowa Hawkeyes vs Ohio State Buckeyes Spread Pick
- Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes -1.5
Ohio State enters this game with the rest advantage after receiving a bye, while Iowa had to expend energy in a second-round matchup just a day earlier. The Buckeyes have been one of the better offensive teams in the Big Ten and are coming off a dominant performance against Indiana where their shooting efficiency was outstanding. While Iowa has played Ohio State tough this season, I believe the Buckeyes’ rebounding edge and offensive depth will make the difference late in this matchup.
Iowa Hawkeyes vs Ohio State Buckeyes Total Pick
- Pick: Over 139.5
I like the over in this matchup because both teams have shown the ability to score efficiently, especially when they find rhythm from the perimeter. Ohio State averages over 80 points per game, and Iowa just shot over 50% from the field in its tournament opener. With both offenses capable of creating scoring runs and the pace likely to increase if either team falls behind, I see this total creeping into the mid-140s.
Final Score Prediction: Ohio State 74, Iowa 70
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