Two Big Ten teams with injury concerns meet this afternoon in Columbus when the UCLA Bruins visit the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The injuries affect each defense, and my UCLA vs. Ohio State predictions expect a high-scoring affair.
Read on for my college basketball picks for Saturday, January 17.
UCLA vs Ohio State prediction
UCLA vs Ohio State best bet: Over 148.5 (-110)
Forget the "slow UCLA Bruins" narrative, the sharps are hammering this Over and we’re riding with them.
With Ohio State Buckeyes anchor Christoph Tilly possibly sidelined or limited, their interior defense is a sieve, leaving the door wide open for the Bruins to dominate the paint.
On the other end, Bruce Thornton and the Buckeyes are fourth in the Big Ten and returning home from a two-game road swing, where they average 88 ppg.
Combine that with two elite free-throw shooting teams that will milk points during late-game fouls, and we have a high-scoring affair in Columbus today.
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account
UCLA vs Ohio State same-game parlay
Over 148.5
Trent Perry Over 15.5 points
Bruce Thornton Over 18.5 points
Bruins guard Trent Perry is seeing extended minutes with Sky Clark on the shelf and has cleared his scoring prop number in two straight games.
The Buckeyes go as Bruce Thornton goes. He’s coming off a 28-point outburst at Washington and averages 20.5 points per game.
UCLA vs Ohio State SGP
- Over 148.5
- Trent Perry Over 15.5 points
- Bruce Thornton Over 18.5 points
Our beyond the arc SGP: Thornton delivers
Over 148.5
Trent Perry Over 15.5 points
Bruce Thornton Over 18.5 points
Bruce Thornton Over 5.5 rebounds
Buckeyes +4.5
With Tilly out or limited, Thornton will be forced to hit the boards and has grabbed 6+ rebounds four times this season.
Ohio State is banged up. They are 3-7-0 ATS in their last 10, and while they should win, I’ll back the Bruins to keep this one closer than the spread.
UCLA vs Ohio State SGP
- Over 148.5
- Trent Perry Over 15.5 points
- Bruce Thornton Over 18.5 points
- Bruce Thornton Over 5.5 rebounds
- Buckeyes +4.5
UCLA vs Ohio State odds
- Spread: UCLA +4 | Ohio State -4
- Moneyline: UCLA +154 | Ohio State -192
- Over/Under: Over 147.5 | Under 147.5
UCLA vs Ohio State betting trend to know
Ohio State has only hit the Moneyline in 11 of their last 18 games at home (-4.15 Units / -0% ROI. Find more college basketball betting trends for UCLA vs. Ohio State.
How to watch UCLA vs Ohio State
| Location | Value City Arena, Columbus, OH |
| Date | Saturday, January 17, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | CBS |
UCLA vs Ohio State key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
