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Ohio State Buckeyes vs Wisconsin Badgers Picks and Predictions February 17, 2026

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The #24 Wisconsin Badgers look to continue their climb up the Big Ten standings this Tuesday as they travel to Columbus to face the Ohio State Buckeyes. Tip-off is set for 8:30 PM ET at Value City Arena, with the action airing live on FS1.

Wisconsin (18-7) enters the contest as one of the hottest teams in the country, fresh off dominant back-to-back wins over #8 Illinois and #10 Michigan State. Meanwhile, Ohio State (16-9) is fighting for its tournament life, needing a marquee win to bolster a resume that recently took a hit with a narrow four-point loss to Virginia. Despite the rankings gap, oddsmakers have the Badgers as slim 1.5-point road favorites.

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Wisconsin vs Ohio State Odds

The betting markets are expecting a razor-thin margin in Columbus. For live updates and the most competitive lines, visit the latest college basketball odds.

TeamMoneylineSpreadTotal
Wisconsin-121-1.5 (-109)O 156.5 (-110)
Ohio State-103+1.5 (-114)U 156.5 (-110)

Wisconsin Badgers Betting Form

Wisconsin’s offense has reached a new gear in February, averaging over 90 points in three of their last four games. Nick Boyd is currently the hottest hand in the Big Ten, earning Player of the Week honors after dropping 29 points on Michigan State. Alongside him, John Blackwell has been elite, and together they form the highest-scoring duo in Wisconsin program history.

The Badgers rank 9th nationally in three-pointers made per game (11.2) and are a perfect 8-0 this season when both Boyd and Blackwell reach the 20-point mark. They have also been highly profitable for bettors lately, covering the spread in three straight games. For a full breakdown of their road efficiency, visit the Wisconsin stats and results page. Check the Wisconsin injury report for official word on the bench rotation, as sophomore Austin Rapp looks to follow up his strong 19-point performance from the previous meeting.

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Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Form

Ohio State is a different team at Value City Arena, where they boast a 12-4 home record. Senior guard Bruce Thornton continues to cement his legacy, needing just 12 points tonight to tie legends Jerry Lucas and William Buford for third on the school’s all-time scoring list. He is coming off a massive 28-point effort against Virginia.

However, the Buckeyes are shorthanded. Standout freshman guard John Mobley Jr. (15.1 PPG) is expected to miss his second straight game with a hand injury. In his absence, Taison Chatman has stepped into the starting lineup, and freshman forward Amare Bynum (15 points vs. Virginia) has become a primary scoring option. You can track their home-court trends on the Ohio State schedule and stats page and stay updated with the Ohio State injury report regarding Mobley Jr. and Brandon Noel.

Wisconsin vs Ohio State Matchup Breakdown

This is a rematch of a January 31 meeting in Madison, which Wisconsin won 92-82. In that game, the Badgers’ perimeter shooting proved too much for the Buckeyes to handle.

  • The “The Villain” Factor: Ohio State will be honoring former National Player of the Year Evan Turner tonight, which should provide an emotional boost to a home crowd looking for an upset.
  • Perimeter vs. Interior: Wisconsin’s #18 ranked three-point attack (11.2 per game) faces an Ohio State defense that allows opponents to shoot just 31.1% from deep. Something has to give.
  • Point Guard Duel: The matchup between Nick Boyd and Bruce Thornton features two of the elite floor generals in the country. Both are averaging over 20 PPG in recent conference play.

For more insights into the Big Ten title race, check out our college basketball championship odds tracker.

Wisconsin vs Ohio State Predictions and Best Bets

The lean here is Wisconsin -1.5. While Ohio State is desperate and strong at home, the loss of John Mobley Jr. leaves them without enough perimeter firepower to keep pace with a Wisconsin team that is firing on all cylinders. Nick Boyd’s current six-game streak of 20+ points suggests he is playing at an All-American level that is difficult to fade, even on the road.

Regarding the total, the Under 156.5 is the sharp play. Despite the combined scoring averages, both teams have trended toward more deliberate half-court sets in high-stakes conference games. Our model projects a 79-75 victory for the Badgers.

Best Bet: Wisconsin -1.5 (-109) and Under 156.5 (-110).

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Finding an edge in the Big Ten requires a blend of advanced metrics and situational awareness. You can find more of today’s college basketball picks for the full Tuesday schedule on our site.

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