Youngstown State vs Ohio State Prediction 11/6/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

Youngstown State vs Ohio State Prediction

In this Youngstown State vs Ohio State Prediction, Ohio State is coming as -25.5 home favorites. Both teams are coming off opposite outcomes in their opening games of the season, as the Buckeyes faced BUY and lost by 11 points, while Youngstown State had an easier task against St. Bonaventure, whom they won on the road. Youngstown State was bad on the road last season and had trouble covering spreads, with a 10-19 ATS record throughout last year and they have a terrible history against Ohio State, having lost all of their four head-to-head meetings and are 1-3 against the spread. Ohio State will be playing its home opener of the season and will be looking to bounce back after losing their first game, so I trust them to win this one comfortably and cover the spread.

Ohio State Buckeyes Preview

The Ohio State Buckeyes have a 0-1 overall record and a 0-0 home record. They are coming off a 83-94 neutral loss against Brigham Young and will face Marshall and UConn next.

Offensively, they are averaging 83.0 points per game (ranking 146th in the nation), while allowing 94.0 points per game defensively (310th). They have a 118.7 offensive rating (ranking 126th) and a 134.4 defensive rating (338th). The Buckeyes are shooting 46.7% from the field (ranking 162nd in the nation) and 32.1% from beyond the arc (178th), while grabbing 33.0 rebounds per game (245th in the nation) and averaging 18.0 assists per game (93rd). They have 3.0 blocks per game (179th in the nation) and 6.0 steals per game (221st).

Amare Bynum leads Ohio State in scoring, averaging 20.0 ppg on 70.0% shooting from the field, adding 3.0 rebounds. John Mobley Jr. follows with 14.0 ppg on 44.4% shooting from the field and 3.0 rebounds per game, while Andrija Jelavic follows with 13.0 ppg on 75.0% shooting from the field and 9.0 rebounds per game, and Justin Pippen follows with 12.0 ppg on 50.0% shooting from the field and 3.0 rebounds per game.

Youngstown State Penguins Preview

The Youngstown State Penguins have a 1-0 overall record and a 1-0 away record. They are coming off a 79-71 road win against St. Bonaventure and will face Central Michigan and Marshall next.

Offensively, they are averaging 79.0 points per game (ranking 166th in the nation), while allowing 71.0 points per game defensively (175th). They have a 111.3 offensive rating (ranking 173rd) and a 100.0 defensive rating (183rd). The Penguins are shooting 38.8% from the field (ranking 269th in the nation) and 37.5% from beyond the arc (40th), while grabbing 47.0 rebounds per game (56th in the nation) and averaging 17.0 assists per game (113th). They have 1.0 blocks per game (297th in the nation) and 8.0 steals per game (154th).

Linus Holmstrom leads Youngstown State in scoring, averaging 26.0 ppg on 50.0% shooting from the field, adding 8.0 rebounds. Kelvin Amoako follows with 14.0 ppg on 71.4% shooting from the field and 10.0 rebounds per game, while Jeff Nwankwo follows with 11.0 ppg on 33.3% shooting from the field and 8.0 rebounds per game. Dom Aekins and Jaiden Haynes follow with 9.0 ppg each, with Aekins adding 5.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game, and Haynes adding 2.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

Youngstown State Penguins @ Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Trends: November 6, 2026

Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win

• Ohio State has won each of its last 10 night games at Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Youngstown State has lost four of its last five road games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Youngstown State has lost the first half in each of its last five road games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Youngstown State Penguins will win

• Ohio State has lost each of its last three games.
• Youngstown State has won 12 of its last 16 games against non-Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Youngstown State’s last eight road games against the Big Ten Conference have produced a total of 154 or fewer points.
• Seven of Ohio State’s last eight night games at Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center have produced a total of 155+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Ohio State ranks 358th among Division 1 teams for defensive rating this season (138.9).
• Ohio State ranks T15th among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (3.0).
• Youngstown State ranks T38th among Division 1 teams for three-point field goals made per game this season (12.0).
• Youngstown State ranks T49th among Division 1 teams for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (32.0).

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Ohio State -25.5