Ohio State Buckeyes vs Washington Huskies Pick & Prediction for Sunday, January 11, 2026
The Ohio State Buckeyes conclude their West Coast road trip against the Washington Huskies on Sunday, January 11, 2026. This 6:00 PM EST clash, streaming on Peacock, features a Buckeyes squad looking for a perfect 4-0 Big Ten road start against a Washington team retiring the jersey of all-time leading scorer Christian Welp during halftime. For expert analysis and daily wagering insights on the full slate of Big Ten action, be sure to check out the latest free college basketball picks over at Winners and Whiners.
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Ohio State Buckeyes: Finding Balance Without Noel
The Buckeyes (11-4, 3-2 Big Ten) are riding high after a 72-62 win at Oregon on Thursday. Ohio State’s identity centers on elite efficiency, ranking 4th nationally in team field goal percentage (50.3%) and 7th in free-throw shooting (78.4%). Bruce Thornton remains the engine, averaging 20.0 PPG, but the story of late has been the emergence of junior Devin Royal, who has scored double digits in 11 straight games.
The rotation has been shortened due to the loss of forward Brandon Noel, who is OUT indefinitely with a foot injury suffered against Nebraska. In his absence, sophomore Gabe Cupps provided a vital spark with a career-high nine points off the bench against Oregon. The Buckeyes will need continued production from their frontcourt duo of Amare Bynum and Christoph Tilly to counter Washington's massive advantage on the glass.
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Washington Huskies: A Roster in Flux
The Huskies (9-6, 1-3 Big Ten) return to Seattle after a grueling road trip where they outscored Indiana and Purdue in the second half but couldn't overcome early deficits. Washington is led by freshman sensation Hannes Steinbach, who leads the Big Ten in both rebounding (11.2 RPG) and double-doubles (9).
Washington’s lineup faces significant uncertainty for Sunday. Desmond Claude (14.5 PPG) is unlikely to play due to a personal matter. On a more positive note, second-leading scorer Wesley Yates III (wrist) and Jacob Ognacevic were participants in practice on January 10; both are Game-Time Decisions and will likely be limited if they play. Additionally, center Lathan Sommerville (knee) has missed the last four games and remains a question mark.
Ohio State vs. Washington Prediction
Washington’s historic dominance over Ohio State in Seattle (6-0 all-time) and the emotional boost of the Welp jersey retirement make this a "trap game" for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State vs. Washington ATS Pick
- Pick: Washington -2.5 (-108)
While Ohio State is the more polished team, Washington’s length and rebounding (led by Steinbach) present a difficult matchup for an OSU frontcourt missing Brandon Noel. The Huskies have been a different team at home (6-1 overall), and even with Claude potentially out, the possible return of Wesley Yates provides the scoring punch needed to keep pace. Expect the Huskies to ride the home crowd to a narrow victory, continuing their undefeated streak against OSU in Seattle.
Ohio State vs. Washington Total Pick
- Pick: Under 153.5 (-105)
Ohio State’s defensive performance against Oregon (holding the Ducks to 32.8% shooting) suggests they are locked in on that end of the floor during this road trip. Washington has struggled with perimeter consistency lately, failing to shoot above 30% from three in five of their last seven games. With key scorers on both sides (Noel and Claude) likely missing, this game projects as a physical Big Ten battle that settles in the 140s.
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