Ohio State vs Wisconsin Prediction 1/31/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers meet Saturday in college basketball action from the Kohl Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Wisconsin Badgers prediction.

Ohio State Buckeyes Recap

The Ohio State Buckeyes come into this game looking to build on their 84-78 win over Penn State last time out to sit at 14-6 this season. After this game, Ohio State will head on the road for a game against Maryland.

Buckeyes Win 3 Of Last 4

Bruce Thornton leads the Buckeyes in scoring and assists with 21 PPG along with 4.8 RPG and 4.2 APG while Christoph Tilly has 13.3 PPG with 5.9 RPG and 2.8 APG to lead the Buckeyes in rebounding. John Mobley Jr. has 14.3 PPG with 2.3 RPG and 2.8 APG and Devin Royal has 14 PPG with 5.7 RPG to round out the group of double-digit scorers for Ohio State so far this season. Amare Bynum has 8.9 PPG with 4.9 RPG as well so far this season. As a team, Ohio State is averaging 86.3 PPG on 50.9% shooting from the field, 33.7% from three and 78.8% from the foul line this season.

Wisconsin Badgers Recap

The Wisconsin Badgers come into this game looking to add on to their 67-63 win over Minnesota last time out to sit at 15-6 this season. After this game, Wisconsin will head on the road for a game against Indiana.

Badgers Win 8 Of Last 10

Nick Boyd leads the Badgers in scoring and assists with 19.5 PPG and 3.1 APG along with 3.4 RPG while John Blackwell has 17.5 PPG with 4.8 RPG. Nolan Winter has 14.4 PPG with a team-high 9.3 RPG to lead the Badgers in rebounding and to round out the group of double-digit scorers for Wisconsin up to this point in the year. Austin Rapp has 9.4 PPG with 3.8 RPG as well so far this season. As a team, Wisconsin is averaging on 82.7 PPG on 45% shooting from the field, 32.6% from three and 76.5% from the foul line so far this season.

Ohio State Buckeyes @ Wisconsin Badgers Betting Trends: January 31, 2026

Why the Wisconsin Badgers will win

• Wisconsin has won 11 of its last 12 games at Kohl Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Ohio State has lost five of its last six road day games against Conference opponents.
• Wisconsin has won the first half in each of its last 12 day games at Kohl Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win

• Ohio State has won eight of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Wisconsin has lost three of its last four day games against Conference opponents at Kohl Center.
• Ohio State has won the first half in each of its last five games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Thirty-eight of Wisconsin’s last 42 day games against Conference opponents at Kohl Center have produced a total of 155 or fewer points.
• Each of Ohio State’s last four road games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 155 or fewer points.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Wisconsin Badgers Prediction

I’m on Wisconsin here. I get the case to be made for the Buckeyes, but I just think Wisconsin is the better team and are at home where they have been at their best and if this becomes a free throw contest late, I trust the Badgers to get the job done so give me the Badgers in this one.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Wisconsin -4.5