Penn State Nittany Lions vs Ohio State Buckeyes Picks and Predictions for Monday January 26 2026
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The Penn State Nittany Lions travel to Columbus to face the Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday night at Value City Arena, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 PM ET. This Big Ten matchup will be televised on FS1. At the time of this writing, the moneyline odds were not released. The total for the game is set at 153.5 points, with both the over and under priced at -110, and Ohio State is listed as a 12.5-point home favorite. Before getting into the matchup breakdown, be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily betting insight.
Nittany Lions Searching for Stability Away From Home
Penn State enters this contest with a 9-10 overall record and has struggled to find consistency throughout the season. The Nittany Lions have recently lost to Wisconsin, Maryland, UCLA, Purdue, and Michigan, with several of those defeats coming by double digits, highlighting ongoing issues on both ends of the floor.
From a statistical perspective, Penn State is averaging 76.5 points per game while allowing 77.4, numbers that reflect their difficulties defensively. They shoot a respectable 47 percent from the field but struggle to control the glass, pulling down just 30.7 rebounds per game. Ball movement has also been an issue at times, as they average only 13.3 assists per contest.
One area where Penn State has tried to remain competitive is defensive effort in passing lanes. The Nittany Lions average 7.3 steals per game, which can create transition opportunities. However, their lack of rim protection, shown by just 1.4 blocks per game, often leaves them vulnerable against teams with strong interior scoring.
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Buckeyes Look to Rebound at Home
Ohio State comes into Monday night with a 13-6 overall record and remains firmly in the Big Ten race. The Buckeyes have recently won over Minnesota in overtime and UCLA, while also picking up a road win at Oregon. Their losses to Michigan and Washington show some inconsistency, but overall Ohio State has been solid, especially at home.
Statistically, the Buckeyes average 82.1 points per game while allowing 72.3, giving them a clear edge in scoring margin over Penn State. They shoot 49 percent from the field and average 36.4 rebounds per game, allowing them to control possessions more effectively. Ohio State also averages 15.4 assists per game, reflecting a balanced offensive approach.
What stands out for Ohio State is their ability to dictate pace against weaker defensive teams. With better size, efficiency, and rebounding, the Buckeyes are able to wear opponents down over 40 minutes. While they are not overly aggressive defensively, their discipline and execution tend to limit easy scoring chances.
Penn State Nittany Lions vs Ohio State Buckeyes Pick
Penn State Nittany Lions vs Ohio State Buckeyes Pick
- Pick: Ohio State -12.5
I am backing Ohio State to cover the spread in this matchup. The Buckeyes have clear advantages in efficiency, rebounding, and overall depth, while Penn State continues to struggle defensively. At home, Ohio State should be able to build and maintain a comfortable lead.
Penn State Nittany Lions vs Ohio State Buckeyes Total Pick
- Pick: Over 153.5
I’m taking the over in this game. Ohio State’s offensive efficiency combined with Penn State’s defensive issues sets up a game where points should come consistently. If the Buckeyes push the pace, this total has a good chance to be surpassed.
Final Score Prediction: Ohio State Buckeyes 88, Penn State Nittany Lions 70
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