Western Michigan vs. Ohio State Picks and Prediction, Thursday, November 20th, 2025
The Western Michigan Broncos (2-3) and the Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0) will play a non-conference battle in the Midwest on Thursday in this Western Michigan vs. Ohio State prediction. The Broncos just lost on the road against South Dakota, going down 83-78, and missing the cover as 3.5-point underdogs. The Buckeyes just hosted Notre Dame and won a nail-biter, taking the game 64-63, but missed the cover as 9.5-point home favorites. Tipoff is set for 8:00 EST and can be found on the Big Ten Network. Keep reading to see our Western Michigan vs. Ohio State prediction, and check out all of our winning NCAAB Betting Picks!
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Western Michigan has a New Look Roster
The Western Michigan Broncos have gone 9-9 in conference play in each of their last two seasons in the MAC, and look to improve on that record this season with a fresh roster. The Broncos welcomed six transfers and four freshmen to join their returning four players to form a team with a new look. They have dropped three of their last four, with their lone win coming over Purdue-Fort Wayne at home. In their last outing, the Broncos lost by five points in South Dakota despite getting 20 points from Jayden Brewer.
Brewer is their 6'6 senior wing who has been scoring well this season. He is getting 17.2 PPG through his first five games, and just transferred in after a strong three seasons with Florida International. Brewer scored 14.5 PPG last season and looks to continue to grow his game as he leads Western Michigan with 9.0 RPG this season. The Broncos offense has been guided by two players this season, as Jalen Griffith is adding another 16.3 PPG and 3.8 APG as a 5'10 junior guard. Griffith played last season with Jacksonville and is taking a bigger role this year with his new team.
Western Michigan is ranked 264th out of 365 Division I teams according to KenPom. They are 251st in offensive efficiency and 262nd in defensive efficiency. They play relatively fast, ranking 84th in the country in pace of play.
Buckeyes Are Fresh Off Best Win
The Ohio State Buckeyes scheduled their first six games of the season at home, as they hope to rack up some wins before heading into Big Ten play. They were listed as heavy favorites in most of their early games, but are coming off a one-point victory in their most difficult game against Notre Dame. In that game, Bruce Thornton scored 24 points and Christoph Tilly added another 18 in the win.
Thornton is their 6'2 senior point guard who has been a starter for the Buckeyes since his first day on campus three years ago. He is the third returning scorer in the Big Ten, as he averaged 17.7 PPG last season, and is on pace to go well above that number this year. Thornton is scoring a red-hot 25.2 PPG through his first four this year, with a high of 38 against Purdue-Fort Wayne. Christoph Tilly has been a welcome addition to the team this season. The 7-footer transferred in from Santa Clara and is adding 17.0 PPG and 6.0 RPG. John Mobley Jr. is a 6'1 sophomore guard getting another 15.0 PPG and 4.3 APG.
Ohio State is ranked 35th overall in KenPom. They are 29th in offensive efficiency and 65th in defensive efficiency. They play slower than Western Michigan, ranking 173rd in tempo.
Western Michigan vs. Ohio State Picks and Predictions
Spread pick for Western Michigan vs. Ohio State
- Western Michigan +27.5 (4 units)
This is far too many points to lay with Ohio State. The Buckeyes are a power conference team, but they are not ranked in the top 25, or projected to be one of the top teams in the conference. The Buckeyes are coming off a low-scoring, narrow win over Notre Dame, where they only won by one point after being favored by 9.5 in the game. The Buckeyes have only covered one of their four games so far, and have played a lot of similar competition, with ND being their only big school opponent. Western Michigan already has two Division I wins this season, and will be able to keep this game close as they have two elite scorers in Brewer and Griffith.
Take Western Michigan plus the points.
Over/Under Pick for Western Michigan vs. Ohio State
- Under 156 (4 units)
The Ohio State Buckeyes are playing their fifth straight game at home, and have two strong guards in Thornton and Mobley who can control this game without the need to push the pace. The Buckeyes are heavy favorites here and will not need to get into a track meet to win this game. Ohio State has gone under in each of their last two games, and only ranks 173rd in pace of play. Western Michigan will not be expected to put up a big scoring total here; not only are they big underdogs, but they are also only 251st in offensive efficiency. Watch for a low-scoring game here.
Take the under.
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