Ohio State vs Iowa Prediction 2/25/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Iowa Hawkeyes will meet on Wednesday night in a Big Ten Conference matchup at Carver‑Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview

The Ohio State Buckeyes enter Sunday’s contest with a 17–10 win‑loss record, including a 9–7 mark in conference play and a 4-5 record on the road. The Buckeyes have compiled wins over IU Indianapolis, Purdue Fort Wayne, Appalachian State, Notre Dame, Western Michigan, Mount St. Mary’s, and Northwestern, while dropping one game to the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Earlier this season, in the Ohio State Buckeyes 86–82 victory over the Northwestern Wildcats, Ohio State forward Brandon Noel tallied 29 points on 13 of 15 shooting from the field. Noel also grabbed 7 rebounds in the game.

The Ohio State Buckeyes average 80.4 points on 48.8 percent shooting from the field (24th in country) and 34.3 percent shooting from three‑point range per game. The Buckeyes are allowing opponents 73.1 points per contest.

Senior guard Bruce Thornton leads the Ohio State Buckeyes backcourt averaging 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Senior forward Brandon Noel adds 7.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1 assist per game, while freshman guard John Mobley Jr. contributes 15.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest.

Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview

The Iowa Hawkeyes enter Tuesday’s contest with an 19–8 record, including a 9-7 mark in conference play and a robust 14-2 record at home. The Hawkeyes have amassed wins over Western Illinois, Southeast Missouri State, Mississippi, Grand Canyon, and Maryland, while losing to Michigan State, Maryland, Purdue and the UCLA Bruins.

In the Iowa Hawkeyes 83–64 win over the Maryland Terrapins earlier this season, Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz tallied 25 points on 10 of 17 from the field and 4 of 8 shooting from three-point range.

The Iowa Hawkeyes average 76 points on 49.4 percent shooting from the field (18th in country) and 35.9 percent shooting from three‑point range per game. Defensively, the Hawkeyes are allowing opponents 65.1 points per game which ranks ninth in the nation.

Senior guard Bennett Stirtz leads the Iowa Hawkeyes averaging 20.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Freshman forward Cooper Koch adds 6.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per contest, while senior guard Tavion Banks averages 10.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1 steal per game.

Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win

• Offensive edge. The Ohio State Buckeyes average 80.4 points on 48.8 percent shooting from the field (24th in country) per game. Conversely, the Iowa Hawkeyes are averaging 76 points per contest.

• Balanced roster. Thornton, Noel, and Mobley Jr. provide scoring, rebounding, and playmaking ability.

• Quality guard play. Bruce Thornton and John Mobley Jr. combine for over 35 points per game.

Why the Iowa Hawkeyes will win

• Quality guard play. Senior guard Bennett Stirtz leads the Iowa Hawkeyes backcourt averaging 20.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game

• Defensive advantage. The Iowa Hawkeyes are allowing opponents 65.1 points per game which ranks ninth in the nation. The Buckeyes are allowing 73.1 points per contest.

Ohio State vs. Iowa Prediction

This matchup features Ohio State’s efficient shooting and Bruce Thornton’s elite scoring ability against an Iowa team that has been dominant at home and owns the best defensive profile in the Big Ten. Ohio State’s elite offense gives them a path a victory, but the Iowa Hawkeyes home court advantage, defensive consistency and superior scoring balance make the Hawkeyes the more reliable team to win this contest. With that said, I think the Ohio State offense is strong enough to keep the Buckeyes within the number here (6.5). In summary, I am backing the Ohio State Buckeyes plus the 6.5 points in this game.

Hans Geevers's Pick: Ohio State +6.5