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The race for a Big Ten Tournament double-bye reaches a fever pitch this Wednesday, February 25, 2026, as the Ohio State Buckeyes travel to Iowa City to face the Iowa Hawkeyes. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, with the national broadcast airing on BTN. Both teams enter the night with identical 9-7 conference records, but the Hawkeyes currently hold the tiebreaker for the crucial No. 8 seed.
Iowa (19-8, 9-7 Big Ten) opens as a 6.5-point favorite, bolstered by a dominant 15-2 home record. Ohio State (17-10, 9-7) is the +230 underdog on the moneyline, desperate to secure their first Quad 1 victory of the season and bolster a tournament resume that currently lacks a signature win. The over/under is set at 141.5 points, a total that reflects the efficient yet calculated pace both teams have utilized in February.
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Ohio State vs. Iowa Odds
Big Ten lines often shift as tipoff nears, especially with injury news involving key scorers. Always check the latest movements before locking in your wagers.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | +230 | +6.5 (-120) | O 141.5 (-110) |
| Iowa Hawkeyes | -299 | -6.5 (-105) | U 141.5 (-110) |
Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Form
The Buckeyes arrive in Iowa City following a narrow 66-60 loss to Michigan State. Despite the loss, senior guard Bruce Thornton was sensational, dropping 32 points. Thornton is currently chasing history, sitting just 59 points shy of becoming the all-time leading scorer in Ohio State history. While the team will remain without No. 2 scorer John Mobley Jr. (hand), they expect to welcome back Devin Royal (illness) to provide much-needed frontcourt depth.
Ohio State has been a reliable bet as an underdog lately, covering the spread in 60% of their games in that role. They boast a high-efficiency offense, ranking 33rd nationally with a 48.8% field goal percentage. For more detailed insights into their performance away from Columbus, check out the Ohio State stats and results.
John Mobley Jr. is officially OUT. However, the return of Devin Royal should help alleviate the scoring burden on Thornton. Check the Ohio State injury report for any late-breaking changes.
Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Form
Iowa is looking to protect its home court after a 13-point road loss to Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes are led by Bennett Stirtz, the “engine” of the team, who averages 20.6 PPG and has scored at least 20 points in nine of his last ten outings. Under first-year coach Ben McCollum, the Hawkeyes have maintained a top-25 offensive efficiency rating, shooting 49.4% from the field.
The Hawkeyes have been nearly perfect as favorites this season, boasting an 18-2 straight-up record. Their home-court advantage at Carver-Hawkeye Arena is statistically significant, where they average higher shooting percentages across the board. To track their trajectory toward a top-tier Big Ten seed, visit the Iowa schedule and stats.
Ohio State vs. Iowa Matchup Breakdown
This game features a premier backcourt battle between two of the Big Ten’s top five scorers: Bruce Thornton (20.4 PPG) and Bennett Stirtz (20.6 PPG). Both players are elite facilitators who rarely turn the ball over, meaning the game will likely be decided by the supporting casts.
Iowa’s Alvaro Folgueiras and Ohio State’s Christoph Tilly will battle in the paint. Iowa’s ability to convert at the free-throw line (77.0%) gives them an edge in late-game scenarios, but Ohio State’s urgency to finally land a Quad 1 win makes them a dangerous opponent.
- Iowa Home Record: 15-2
- Bruce Thornton: Needs 60 points to become OSU’s all-time leading scorer.
- Bennett Stirtz: 20+ points in 9 of his last 10 games.
- NET Rankings: Iowa (#28) vs. Ohio State (#37).
Ohio State vs. Iowa Predictions and Best Bets
While Iowa’s home dominance is hard to ignore, 6.5 points is a generous spread for an Ohio State team that matches up well offensively. The Buckeyes actually average more points per game (80.4) than the Hawkeyes (76.0), and with Bruce Thornton playing at an elite level, they have the firepower to keep this a one-possession game. Our model projects a narrow Iowa victory, but likes Ohio State +6.5 to cover.
On the total, the Over 141.5 is the situational play. Both teams rank in the top 35 nationally in field goal percentage. Even with a potentially slower Big Ten pace, the sheer efficiency of Thornton and Stirtz should push this total into the mid-140s.
Best Bet: Ohio State +6.5 (-120)
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