Nebraska vs Ohio State

Nebraska’s 14-0 surge and 18-game overall win streak now collide with an Ohio State group riding a quieter two-game run and a strong 7-1 home mark, making this a classic buy-the-hot-road-dog spot despite a difficult recent history for the Huskers in Columbus and a double-OT loss to the Buckeyes last March. With sharpshooter Connor Essegian out for the season and rotation forwards Ugnius Jarusevicius and Henry Burt banged up, Nebraska’s depth is thinner, but Rienk Mast’s inside-out efficiency plus Pryce Sandfort’s perimeter scoring still stack up well against Bruce Thornton’s 21-a-night engine and an Ohio State roster that’s also missing guard Myles Herro and could again be without big man Josh Ojianwuna. Given Nebraska’s elite defensive metrics, current form, and plus money against a favorite that has feasted mostly as front-runner but is just 5-8 against the number, I lean to the Huskers on the moneyline at +115 and grade it a B for solid value but real volatility in a hostile Big Ten road environment. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 05/01/2026 09:37.([huskers.com](https://huskers.com/news/2026/01/4/no-13-huskers-travel-to-ohio-state-monday-night?utm_source=openai))

Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton is torching defenses with hyper-efficient 20+ point nights, yet the matchup profile is tilted by Nebraska’s recent run of unders, with the Huskers cashing low totals in the vast majority of their games behind a top-10 field-goal defense and deliberate half-court execution. While last season’s 116-114 double-OT shootout between these teams screams offense, Nebraska’s current identity leans far more on physical defense and secure rebounding around Mast, and Ohio State’s perimeter D has quietly held opponents to roughly 30% from deep, a key counter to Nebraska’s heavy three-point volume. Layer in that Nebraska has trended under overall while Ohio State’s totals have been more balanced, and the market pushing this number into the mid-150s creates just enough cushion that I like Under 155.5 at -118, grading it a B+ on the combination of matchup-based edge and modest juice. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 05/01/2026 09:37.([landgrantholyland.com](https://www.landgrantholyland.com/ohio-state-mens-basketball/110403/good-hoops-morning-can-ohio-state-hand-undefeated-14-0-nebraska-its-first-loss?utm_source=openai))

Rienk Mast and Nebraska have paired that perfect 14-0 start with a respectable 7-6-1 ATS mark, and getting +2.5 points against an Ohio State side that is only 5-8 ATS despite a 10-3 record looks especially appealing given the Huskers’ extended win streak versus the Buckeyes’ shorter two-game run. Significant injuries hit both benches — Nebraska is down Essegian and may again be without Jarusevicius and Burt, while Ohio State is missing Myles Herro and still monitoring Ojianwuna — but the primary usage cores on each side are intact, and Nebraska’s recent 6-1 ATS run against Ohio State contrasts with their poor straight-up record in Columbus, making the cushion of a short possession-based spread particularly valuable. With the Huskers’ improved defensive efficiency, balanced scoring around Mast and Braden Frager, and Ohio State’s reliance on Thornton’s heavy shot creation in what projects as a tight, late-game possession battle, I’m taking Nebraska +2.5 at -118 and grading it an A- for a strong blend of statistical support and plus-possession insurance in a close matchup. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 05/01/2026 09:37.([oddsshark.com](https://www.oddsshark.com/ncaab/nebraska-ohio-state-odds-january-5-2026-2488609?utm_source=openai))