Tonight sees the Ohio State Buckeyes heading to Ann Arbor to face the No. 3-ranked Michigan Wolverines.
The Wolverines have been elite on both ends of the floor, and my Ohio State vs. Michigan predictions expect their interior defense to shut down the Buckeyes.
Here are my best free college basketball picks for this Big Ten showdown on Friday, January 23.
Ohio State vs Michigan prediction
Ohio State vs Michigan best bet: Ohio State team total Under 75.5 (-115)
Michigan’s defense is perfectly built to slow down Ohio State’s offense, especially since the Buckeyes boast a 60.4% eFG at home but see that number drop to 50.8% on the road.
Ohio State is coming off an 82-74 overtime win against Minnesota, where the Buckeyes scored just 67 points in regulation. They were also held to 74 points or fewer in three of their previous four games.
Meanwhile, the Wolverines rank second in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency and have held seven of their last eight opponents to 72 points or fewer.
The Buckeyes’ biggest strengths are scoring inside (60.3% 2PT) and elite free-throw shooting (78.8%). However, Michigan leads the nation in 2-point defense (40.7%) and ranks 27th in opponent free-throw rate.
With their elite interior defense and ability to defend without fouling, the Wolverines are set to hold Ohio State under its team total.
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Ohio State vs Michigan same-game parlay
Michigan’s best player is Yaxel Lendeborg, who averages 14.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. However, with their depth and ball movement, the Wolverines don’t rely on him to fill up the stat sheet.
Lendeborg has scored fewer than 14.5 points in five of his last six games and grabbed fewer than 8.5 rebounds in 10 of his previous 11 contests.
Ohio State vs Michigan SGP
- Ohio State team total Under 75.5
- Yaxel Lendeborg Under 14.5 points
- Yaxel Lendeborg Under 8.5 rebounds
Our beyond the arc SGP: Buckeyes Bullied Inside
Devin Royal has finished Under 6.5 rebounds in 10 of his last 16 games.
The 6-foot-6 forward will face a tough challenge on the glass against a Michigan frontcourt anchored by seven-foot center Aday Mara and 6-foot-9 forwards Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson.
Ohio State vs Michigan SGP
- Ohio State team total Under 75.5
- Yaxel Lendeborg Under 14.5 points
- Yaxel Lendeborg Under 8.5 rebounds
- Devin Royal Under 6.5 rebounds
Ohio State vs Michigan odds
- Spread: Ohio State +15.5 (-110) | Michigan -15.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Ohio State +850 | Michigan -1400
- Over/Under: Over 166.5 (-110) | Under 166.5 (-110)
Ohio State vs Michigan betting trend to know
The Under is 5-1 in Michigan's last six games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Ohio State vs. Michigan.
How to watch Ohio State vs Michigan
| Location | Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, MI |
| Date | Friday, January 23, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
Ohio State vs Michigan 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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