Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Picks, Prediction, Odds and Line Movement for Friday, January 2, 2026
It’s a Big Ten contest on the hardwood as the Ohio State Buckeyes travel to the Garden State to battle the Rutgers Scarlet Knights Friday night and we have you covered with our Ohio State vs. Rutgers prediction. Ohio State cruised to an 89-63 win over Grambling at home December 23 in their previous contest, failing to cover the line as a 28.5-point underdog. Rutgers downed Delaware State 65-50 at home Monday in their previous game, failing to cover the line as a 21-point favorite. In the all-time series between the teams, the Buckeyes own a 14-4 advantage and have won the last three meetings, including an 80-66 home win in the most recent meeting December 7, 2024. Read more about this Ohio State vs. Rutgers prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
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Buckeyes Looking to Start 2026 on Positive Note
Ohio State has alternated wins and losses in their last six games as they dropped the hammer on Grambling at home in their previous contest. The Buckeyes improved to 9-3 overall and stand 1-1 in Big Ten play on the year. Against Grambling, Ohio State trailed 5-4 early before reeling off 10 straight points to take the lead for good. The Buckeyes were up 39-24 at the half and by as many as 28 en route to the win. Ohio State shot a blistering 62% from the floor, including six of 18 from beyond the arc, and won the rebounding battle 31-23 in the game. John Mobley Jr. led the Buckeyes with 20 points in the win.
On the season, Ohio State stands 53rd in the nation in scoring offense as they put up an average of 86.3 points per game. The Buckeyes are 175th in the country in rebounding with an average of 36.9 boards per game and 61st as they hand out an average of 17.3 assists per game on the year. Ohio State is 153rd in the nation in scoring defense as they allow 71.9 points per contest. Bruce Thornton is one of four players on the Buckeyes with 21 points plus 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per contest this season. John Mobley Jr. (14.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists) and Christoph Tilly (13.3 points, 5.9 boards) are solid secondary scoring options. Devin Royal (14 points, 5.7 rebounds), Brandon Noel, Amare Bynum, Gabe Cupps, Taison Chatman, Ivan Njegovan, Matthew Grujucic and Colin White are good contributors in the rotation. Ohio State shoots 50.9% from the field as a team on the year, which is 23rd in Division I. The Buckeyes knock down an average of eight three-pointers a game while sinking 33.7% of their attempts from beyond the arc, which is 194th in the country. Ohio State is above average at the free throw line, sinking 78.8% of their attempts, which is 7th in the nation.
Key Injury Report for Ohio State:
- No Key Injuries
Rutgers Seeking to Earn Conference Victory
Rutgers picked up a second straight win as they downed Delaware State at home Monday night in their previous contest. The Scarlet Knights ran their record to 7-6 overall on the year and stand 0-2 in Big Ten action on the year. Against Delaware State, Rutgers trailed by as many as two early in the game before taking a seven-point margin at intermission. The Scarlet Knights didn’t let the Hornets closer than that while leading by as many as 20 en route to the win. Rutgers shot just 29.8% from the field, including seven of 27 from three-point range, hit 24 of 29 free throw attempts and won the rebounding battle 52-28 in the game. Tariq Francis led the Scarlet Knights with 19 points off the bench in the win.
The Scarlet Knights are below average on the offensive end of the floor as they are 329th in the nation with 68.7 points per game. Rutgers is 202nd in the country in rebounding (36.4) and 358th in assists with 10.5 dimes a night. The Scarlet Knights are above average on defense as they come in 127th in the nation by allowing 71 points per game. Dylan Grant leads the team with 14.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season. Tariq Francis (13.6 points, 2.5 rebounds) and Jamichael Davis (7.6 points) also are reliable secondary options this season. Darren Buchanan Jr., Emmanuel Ogboie, Denis Badalau, Harun Zrno, Bryce Dortch, Chris Nwuli, Kaden Powers, Lino Mark, Baye Fall and Gevonte Ware are looked at to contribute on a nightly basis for the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers shoots 40.3% from the floor as a team on the year, putting them 350th in the nation. The Scarlet Knights connect on 6.4 threes a night but shoot 32.3% from long range. Rutgers is below average at the charity stripe as they hit 70.8% at the line as a team this season, putting them 213th in the nation.
Key Injury Report for Rutgers:
- No Key Injuries
Ohio State vs. Rutgers Pick
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Tony Karpinski | +2,494.00 |
| 2 |  Joe Duffy | +1,859.00 |
| 3 |  The Insiders Room | +1,788.00 |
| 4 |  Mark Ruelle | +1,428.00 |
| 5 |  Jackie Mack | +1,400.00 |
Ohio State vs. Rutgers Spread Pick
- Ohio State (4 units)
Ohio State has been up and down in their last six games but this seems a prime opportunity to string together wins. The Buckeyes get to square off with a Rutgers squad that struggles mightily on the offensive end of the floor this season. Rutgers is dismal putting points on the board and are in the bottom 20 in the nation in field goal percentage on the year. Ohio State is a dangerous offensive team and they have plenty of depth to lean on offensively as well. Rutgers is 6-2 at home this season but the highest-rated team they’ve beaten at home is Penn, who stands 214th in the KenPom rankings. The Scarlet Knights are 0-5 against teams in the KenPom top 50, with only one of those decided by less than 16 points. Ohio State is 36th in those rankings so this doesn’t bode well for the hosts. Take the Buckeyes in this contest.
Ohio State vs. Rutgers Over/Under Pick
- Under (4 units)
Ohio State has gone over the mark in six of their 12 games. The Buckeyes are 23rd in field goal percentage, ninth in two-point shooting (62.8%), 194th in three-point shooting, 19th in effective field goal percentage (57.8%), 68th in free throw rate (.412 FT attempts per FG attempt) and 36th in free throws made per game (18.9) this season. Ohio State is 140th in tempo with 70 possessions per contest. Rutgers enters this game having seen the under post a 7-6 mark in their 13 games on the year. The Scarlet Knights are 329th in scoring offense, 350th in field goal percentage, 355th in two-point shooting (44.6%) and 322nd in effective field goal percentage (45.9%) on the year. Rutgers grinds the tempo as well, ranking 283rd in adjusted tempo according to KenPom with 67.1 possessions a night. Look for this game to end up a few points short of the total as Rutgers struggles to score.
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