Ohio State Buckeyes vs Wisconsin Badgers Prediction, 1/31/2026 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Ohio State Buckeyes vs Wisconsin Badgers

Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026

Location: Kohl Center in Madison, WI

TV: ESPN+

Kohl Center is the site where the Wisconsin Badgers (15-6) will play the Ohio State Buckeyes (14-6) on Saturday.

The Ohio State Buckeyes played Penn State and took home the win by a score of 84-78 in their last game. Ohio State wrapped up the contest with a 55.6% field goal percentage (30 of 54) and converted 8 of their 23 shots from beyond the perimeter. When they shot from the free throw line, the Buckeyes made 16 of 21 shots for a rate of 76.2%. Concerning hauling in boards, they collected a total of 20 with 5 of them being on the offensive end. They also doled out 14 dimes in the game while forcing the other team into 16 turnovers and getting 9 steals. With respect to defense, Ohio State allowed their opponent to shoot 50.0% from the field on 25 out of 50 shooting. Penn State recorded 12 dimes and had 3 steals in this game. Moreover, Penn State snagged 29 boards (8 offensive, 21 defensive), but couldn't earn a rejection. Penn State finished the game at 85.7% from the free throw line by burying 18 of their 21 tries. They converted 10 of 25 tries from three-point range. In regard to personal fouls, the Buckeyes left the arena with 19 while Penn State totaled 19 personal fouls.

John Mobley Jr. is one player who was a major contributor in the matchup. He finished 50.0% from the field and earned 5 assists. He played 38 minutes and totaled 2 boards. He racked up 25 points on 7 out of 14 shooting.

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Ohio State enters this contest with a win-loss mark of 14-6 on the campaign. They turn it over 10.9 times per game and as a squad they are committing 17.8 personal fouls every game. As a unit, Ohio State is grabbing 35.6 rebounds per game and is sitting with 308 assists this year, which ranks 150th in D-1 in terms of passing the ball. The Buckeyes are connecting on 33.8% on three-point shots (157 of 465) and 78.4% from the free throw line. They have an average of 82.2 points per contest (76th in the nation) while shooting 49.6% from the floor.

When they are on defense, the Buckeyes are forcing 11.2 turnovers per game and they draw 19.5 fouls. They are giving up 30.1% on shots from beyond the arc and they are 150th in D-1 in points per game allowed (72.6). The Buckeyes defense is giving up a FG percentage of 42.4% (503 of 1,185) and they surrender 31.5 rebounds per game as a unit. They are ranked 110th in D-1 in allowing assists to the opposition with 261 relinquished on the season.

The last time they took the court, the Wisconsin Badgers went home victorious with a score of 67-63 when they played Minnesota. The Badgers recorded 23 defensive rebounds and 4 offensive boards totaling 27 in this game. They turned it over 12 times, while earning 4 steals for the game. Minnesota committed 19 fouls for this contest which got the Badgers to the free throw line for a total of 22 attempts. They were able to bury 16 of the free throw attempts for a percentage of 72.7%. When discussing 3-pointers, Wisconsin buried 13 out of 31 tries (41.9%). When the final whistle was blown, the Badgers went 19 out of 48 from the floor which gave them a percentage of 39.6%. The Badgers permitted Minnesota to make 23 of their 50 tries from the floor which gave them a percentage of 46.0% in this game. They went 40.7% from three-point range by going 11 of 27 and finished the game at 6 of 11 from the charity stripe (54.5%). When talking about rebounding, Wisconsin permitted Minnesota to snag 28 in total (5 offensive).

John Blackwell was important for the Badgers in the game. He converted 4 of 13 in the game giving him a field goal percentage of 30.8%, and totaled 7 rebounds. He earned 23 points in his 37 mins on the hardwood and earned 1 assist for the contest.

Wisconsin has a win-loss mark of 15-6 so far this season. The Badgers are committing 17.8 fouls per contest while shooting 77.2% from the charity stripe. They are earning an assist 15.9 times per game (87th in college hoops) and they lose possession via turnover 10.0 times per contest. Wisconsin has scored 1,739 points on the season (82.8 per game) and they collect 36.9 rebounds per game. As an offense, the Badgers are connecting on 45.0% from the field, which is 203rd in D-1.

The Badgers defensively are ranked 213th in college hoops in PPG given up with 74.7. They have forced 10.5 turnovers per game and allow teams to shoot 43.9% from the floor (188th in the country). The Wisconsin defense allows 32.6% on shots from behind the 3-point line (163 of 500) and their opponents are converting on 71.9% of their free throw attempts. They give up 13.2 assists and 33.7 boards per game, which ranks them 174th and 140th in college hoops.

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Wisconsin

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