Ohio State Buckeyes vs Maryland Terrapins Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Thursday February 5 2026
Use Code WWWC Ohio State vs Maryland picks are on the menu tonight in College Park, and this Big Ten matchup is one of those games where the standings make it look simple, but the betting angle still takes real work. Ohio State has the better record, the better scoring profile, and the healthier offensive identity, but Maryland is at home and desperate for a spark. I broke down the line movement, current odds, and matchup details below, plus my best bets. For more daily coverage, check out the latest college basketball predictions.
Quick Picks and Prediction
- Spread Pick: Ohio State -7.5
- Total Pick: Over 151.5
- Projected Final Score: Ohio State 82, Maryland 71
Odds and Line Movement
Opening Odds
| Team | Spread |
|---|---|
| Ohio State | -7.5 (-110) |
| Maryland | +7.5 (-110) |
| Total | Over | Under |
|---|---|---|
| 150 | -115 | -105 |
Current Odds
| Team | Spread |
|---|---|
| Ohio State | -7.5 (-120) |
| Maryland | +7.5 (-102) |
| Total | Over | Under |
|---|---|---|
| 150.5 | -110 | -110 |
Line Movement - Spread
| Date | Time | Ohio State | Maryland | Public ($, #) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/05 | 01:26 AM | -7.5 (-102) | +7.5 (-120) | MD 87%, MD 75% |
| 02/04 | 10:54 PM | -6.5 (-110) | +6.5 (-110) | MD 100%, MD 100% |
| 02/04 | 05:56 PM | -7.5 (-102) | +7.5 (-120) | |
| 02/04 | 05:23 PM | -7.5 (-110) | +7.5 (-110) | |
| 02/04 | 05:22 PM | -7.5 (-110) | +7.5 (-110) | |
| 02/04 | 05:17 PM | -7.5 (-110) | +7.5 (-110) | |
| 02/04 | 03:22 PM | -7.5 (-102) | +7.5 (-120) |
Line Movement - Total
| Date | Time | Over | Under | Public ($, #) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/05 | 09:23 AM | 150.5 (-110) | 150.5 (-110) | UN 68%, OV 50% |
| 02/05 | 09:04 AM | 149.5 (-110) | 149.5 (-110) | UN 68%, OV 50% |
| 02/05 | 08:57 AM | 150 (-110) | 150 (-110) | UN 68%, OV 50% |
| 02/04 | 03:35 PM | 151.5 (-110) | 151.5 (-110) | |
| 02/04 | 03:22 PM | 150 (-115) | 150.5 (-105) |
Ohio State vs Maryland Key Matchups and Handicap
Ohio State comes into this game with a clean statistical edge in the areas that usually decide mid-tier Big Ten games: scoring efficiency, shot creation, and overall scoring margin. The Buckeyes are putting up 82.2 points per game while allowing 73.5, which gives them a reliable path to separation if they play a steady 40 minutes.
Maryland is on the other side of the profile. The Terrapins are scoring 72.5 points per game but allowing 79.7, and that is a brutal combination against a team that can score from multiple spots. Maryland has been forced into a lot of games where it is trying to win on effort and energy rather than execution, and that is hard to sustain.
The key matchup is Ohio State’s backcourt against Maryland’s defensive structure. Bruce Thornton (19.5 PPG) has been the steady engine, while John Mobley Jr. (15.8 PPG) adds spacing and secondary creation. That pairing is exactly what you want when you are laying points, because it gives Ohio State answers even if the pace slows down.
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For Maryland to stay inside this number, it needs efficient scoring, not just volume. That is where the injury situation becomes a major handicap point. Pharrel Payne (17.5 PPG) is listed questionable and has missed the last 10 games. If he cannot go again, Maryland is missing its best interior scorer and one of its most important rebounding pieces, which makes it much harder to survive against a team that can score consistently.
Even though the total is in the low 150s, I am still leaning over. Ohio State is built to score, and Maryland’s defense has not shown the ability to keep teams uncomfortable for long stretches. If Ohio State gets out in transition even a few times, this game can land in the low 150s without Maryland needing a big offensive night.
OSU vs MD Betting Trends
- Ohio State is 14-7 overall and 6-5 in Big Ten play.
- Maryland is 8-13 overall and 1-9 in Big Ten play.
- Ohio State is scoring 82.2 points per game and allowing 73.5.
- Maryland is scoring 72.5 points per game and allowing 79.7.
- Bruce Thornton leads Ohio State at 19.5 points per game.
- John Mobley Jr. is scoring 15.8 points per game for Ohio State.
- Pharrel Payne is Maryland’s leading scorer at 17.5 points per game but has missed the last 10 games.
OSU vs MD Key Injuries and Notes
- MD: Pharrel Payne is questionable with a leg injury and has missed the last 10 games.
- MD: Lukas Sotell is questionable.
- MD: Rakease Passmore is out for the season with an Achilles injury.
- OSU: Brandon Noel is questionable with a foot injury.
- OSU: Josh Ojianwuna is questionable with a knee injury.
- OSU: Myles Herro is redshirting.
ATS and Total Picks
- Against the Spread: Ohio State -7.5
- Total: Over 151.5
Final Score Prediction
Ohio State 82, Maryland 71
How to Bet
This is the type of matchup where I trust the better offensive team, especially when the opponent is dealing with key injuries. Ohio State’s scoring profile is stable, and Maryland has not shown enough defensive consistency to make me want the underdog.
If you are betting this game, I recommend shopping the number at the best sportsbooks and checking for value through available sportsbook promo codes. A half-point matters a lot when you are laying spreads in the 6 to 8 range.
If you prefer a different style of betting experience, social sportsbooks are another option. You can also look for extra bankroll value with the bet365 bonus code or the fliff promo code.
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