Iowa vs Ohio State Prediction 3/12/25 College Basketball Picks

The Iowa Hawkeyes and the Ohio State Buckeyes meet Wednesday in Big Ten Tournament college basketball action from Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Here’s an Iowa vs Ohio State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Iowa vs Ohio State pick. We will examine: 

The Iowa Hawkeyes’ recent form and player performance

The Ohio State Buckeyes’ recent form and player performance 

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Iowa Hawkeyes

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Ohio State Buckeyes

Recent betting trends in games played between Iowa and Ohio State

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Iowa vs Ohio State game

Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview

Iowa was looking pretty good in mid-January, however, things have been choppy since then amid a tough conference schedule. The Hawkeyes opened on a 12-4 run but then lost to USC, UCLA, and Minnesota in the next trio. Wins over Penn State and Rutgers bookended three more losses to Ohio State, Purdue, and Wisconsin. Since then it’s been a 2-5 run with wins over Washington and Nebraska alongside losses to Maryland, Oregon, Illinois, Northwestern, and Michigan State in that time. In total that gives Iowa just above a .500 record at 16-15 overall through 31 games so far during the 2024-25 campaign. 

In the Nebraska game on Sunday, the Hawkeyes were up 40-35 going into the first half. Iowa hit a 43-33 run the rest of the way during a nice road win 83-68. Tops in scoring was Payton Sandfort with 22 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Josh Dix added 14 points with four rebounds and four assists, while Pryce Sandfort doubled up with 16 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. 

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview

Over on the Buckeyes’ side, they’ve had a pretty bumpy run overall but they’ve managed to keep their heads above the .500 mark so far. Ohio State went 9-4 in their first 13 outings, then lost to Michigan State, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Indiana in the next five games. A 5-2 run came next with wins over Purdue, Iowa, Penn State, Maryland, and Washington among losses to Illinois and Nebraska. Since then it’s been a 2-4 run with wins over USC and Nebraska alongside losses to Michigan, Northwestern, UCLA, and Indiana. This year overall the Buckeyes have carved out a 17-14 record in their 31 outings. 

Matched up against Indiana on Saturday, the Buckeyes were up by four points at the break 29-25. Ohio State was outpaced in the second half 41-31 however, leading to a 66-60 loss in the end. Micah Parrish led the team with 19 points, four rebounds, three steals, two blocks, and one assist in 38 minutes. The only other player on the team to reach double-figures was Devin Royal with 13 points, six rebounds and one assist over 37 minutes in the start. Bruce Thornton chipped in nine points and seven rebounds, though. 

Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win

• Ohio State has won nine of its last 10 games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
• Iowa has lost each of its last four night games against the Big Ten Conference.
• Iowa has lost the first half in each of its last five night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Iowa Hawkeyes will win

• Iowa has won each of its last four games against the Big Ten Conference at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
• Ohio State has lost three of its last four games against the Big Ten Conference at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
• Iowa has won the first half in three of its last four games against Conference opponents at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Ohio State’s last eight Conference Tournament games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse have produced a total of 154 or fewer points.
• Four of Iowa’s last five games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse have produced a total of 157+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Ohio State ranks 14th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (30.1%).
• Ohio State ranks T39th among Division 1 teams for three-point percentage this season (37.1%).
• Iowa ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for field goals made per game this season (30.4).
• Iowa ranks 356th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (29.5).

Iowa vs Ohio State Prediction 

I’ll lean toward Ohio State. The Buckeyes do need a shot in the arm here after a pretty limp road loss to Indiana over the weekend, though. Ohio State shot just 38.2 percent in that one with a 40-31 rebounding deficit and 10 turnovers for 12 Hoosiers points. That makes three games in the last five with fewer than 62 points for the Buckeyes—a 2-3 run. 

These teams last met back on January 27 in a home game for Ohio State. The Buckeyes won that one handily 82-65, thanks to 48.4 percent shooting, a 43-31 rebounding edge, and just 39.3 percent shooting allowed on the other side. Ohio State closed strong in that matchup with 52 points in the second half. I’d like to see a similar overall effort on the neutral court this time.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes -5.5