Ball State vs Ohio Prediction 2/17/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Ball State Cardinals and the Ohio Bobcats meet Tuesday in college basketball action from the Ohio Convocation Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Ball State Cardinals vs. Ohio Bobcats prediction.

Ball State Cardinals Recap

The Ball State Cardinals come into this game looking to bounce back from their 75-68 loss at the hands of Kent State last time out to sit at 8-17 this season. After this game, Ball State will head home for a game against Akron.

Cardinals Drop 4 Of Last 5

Davion Hill leads the Cardinals in scoring with 12.6 PPG with 4.1 RPG and 2.2 APG while Armoni Zeigler has 12.4 PPG with team-highs of 5 RPG and 2.8 APG as the only other double-digit scorer for Ball State so far this season. Devon Barnes also has 8.8 PPG and Elmore James IV has 7.9 PPG as well on the year. As a team, Ball State is averaging 66.4 PPG on 41.3% shooting from the field, 30.5% from three and 69.8% from the foul line this season.

Ohio Bobcats Recap

The Ohio Bobcats come into this game looking to bounce back from their 90-74 loss at the hands of Miami Ohio last time out to sit at 13-13 this season. After this game, Ohio will head on the road for a game against Northern Illinois.

Bobcats Lose Back-To-Back Games

Jackson Paveletzke leads the Bobcats in scoring and assists with 16.8 PPG and 5.2 APG along with 3 RPG while Javan Simmons has 14 PPG with 5.3 RPG and Aidan Hadaway has 13.9 PPG with a team-high 7.2 RPG to lead Ohio in rebounding and to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Ohio so far this season. JJ Kelly also has 9.3 PPG with 3.9 RPG as well for Ohio so far this season. As a team, Ohio is averaging 77.6 PPG on 46.7% shooting from the field, 30.5% from three and 69.7% from the foul line this season.

Ball State Cardinals @ Ohio Bobcats Betting Trends: February 17, 2026

Why the Ohio Bobcats will win

• Ball State has lost nine of its last 10 road games against Conference opponents.
• Ohio has won eight of its last nine games against Ball State.
• Ball State has lost the first half in seven of its last eight road games against Conference opponents.

Why the Ball State Cardinals will win

• Ohio has lost four of its last five night games.
• The road team has won each of Ball State’s last three games.
• Ohio has lost the first half in four of its last five night games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the last nine games between Ball State and Ohio have produced a total of 144+ points.
• Each of Ball State’s last seven games have produced a total of 143 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Ball State ranks 25th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (54.0).

Ball State Cardinals vs. Ohio Bobcats Prediction

I’m on Ohio here. It’s a big number to lay with the Bobcats at home, but I just have zero desire to back Ball State in their current form, as this Cardinals team has simply been drilled by teams that are even slightly above their caliber this season. I think Ohio is better than their record, but by how much? I’m not sure. I still think Ohio has enough to win this one by double digits, so give me Ohio.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Ohio -9.5