The No. 13-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers look to remain perfect when they take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in Big Ten action tonight.
My Nebraska vs Ohio State prediction and free college basketball pick has the 'Huskers' defense doing more heavy lifting to stay undefeated.
Find out more in my college basketball picks for January 5.
Nebraska vs Ohio State prediction
Nebraska vs Ohio State best bet: Nebraska +2.5 (-110)
Nebraska improved to 14-0 with its biggest win of the season, toppling No. 9 Michigan State 58-56.
The Cornhuskers' defense was a big part of the win, holding the Spartans to 34% shooting and turning them over 21 times.
That's the third straight game and the fifth in their last six in which they've limited an opponent to 60 points or less, and their 65.5 points per game allowed ranks 21st in the nation.
Perhaps there is concern Nebraska will be playing just its second road game of the season, but in the small sample, it held its own in an 83-80 win over 13th-ranked Illinois.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have won two of the last three meetings between these teams, but the Cornhuskers have been the better bet against the spread, going 6-1-0 ATS over the previous seven matchups.
Teams are shooting just 37.4% against the Huskers all season, and that defense will quiet OSU's high-octane offense just enough tonight.
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Nebraska vs Ohio State same-game parlay
Senior big man Rienk Mast is coming off a blistering 6-for-13 night from 3-point range against Michigan State.
While he's been shooting a career-best 39.2% from 3-point range, Mast has yet to string together back-to-back games with multiple 3-point makes. Ohio State is also holding teams to 30% shooting from distance.
Bruce Thornton is coming off a 20-point game against Rutgers, and he's been OSU's main source of offense, scoring 18 or more points in five of the last seven games.
Nebraska vs Ohio State SGP
- Nebraska +2.5
- Rienk Mast Under 1.5 threes
- Bruce Thornton Over 17.5 points
Our beyond the arc SGP: Prop party
Devin Royal has topped his 15.5 scoring line in each of his last three starts, but he's running up against one of the top defenses in the nation, and scoring won't be easy. In four career games vs Nebraska, he's scored 16 points or more once.
After scoring in single digits in five straight, Jamarques Lawrence has found his scoring touch lately, scoring at least 12 points in three of his last four.
Nebraska vs Ohio State SGP
- Nebraska +2.5
- Rienk Mast Under 1.5 threes
- Bruce Thornton Over 17.5 points
- Devin Royal Under 15.5 points
- Jamarques Lawrence Over 10.5 points
Nebraska vs Ohio State odds
- Spread: Nebraska +2.5 | Ohio State -2.5
- Moneyline: Nebraska +120 | Ohio State -140
- Over/Under: Over 156 | Under 156
Nebraska vs Ohio State betting trend to know
The Buckeyes are 2-5-0 ATS in their last seven games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Nebraska vs. Ohio State.
How to watch Nebraska vs Ohio State
| Location | Value City Arena, Columbus, OH |
| Date | Monday, January 5, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 6:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | FS1 |
Nebraska vs Ohio State key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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