The Ohio State Buckeyes and the No. 25 BYU Cougars open their 2026-27 basketball seasons Monday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET (FS1). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NCAA basketball odds around the Ohio State vs. BYU odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
Ohio State finished the 2025-26 season 21-13 overall and 12-8 in Big Ten play under coach Jake Diebler. G Bruce Thornton led the Buckeyes with 19.9 points per game (PPG), while G John Mobley Jr. added 15.7 points and F Devin Royal contributed 13.7. Ohio State reached the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals and earned a No. 8 NCAA Tournament seed, falling to the TCU Horn Frogs 66-64 in the opening round. The offseason
brought significant changes, with Thornton graduating and Royal transferring to Villanova. However, Mobley and F Amare Bynum (9.7 PPG) return, joined by transfers G Justin Pippen, F Andrija Jelavic, G Jimmie Williams and G Curtis Givens III, along with highly touted freshman Anthony Thompson.
BYU finished the 2025-26 season 23-12 overall and 9-9 in Big 12 play under coach Kevin Young. Freshman sensation AJ Dybantsa led the Cougars with 25.5 PPG and was the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. BYU reached the Big 12 Tournament semifinals and earned a No. 6 NCAA Tournament seed, falling to the Texas Longhorns 79-71 in the opening round. G Robert Wright III (18.1 PPG, 4.6 assists) returns alongside newcomers F Jaxson Kohler, G Collin Chandler, F Tyler Betsey and highly touted freshman Bruce Branch III.
This is the first meeting between the schools since 1997. OSU leads 4-3.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
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Ohio State vs. BYU odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:46 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Ohio State +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | BYU -170 (bet $170 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Ohio State +3.5 (-110) | BYU -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 160.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Ohio State vs. BYU picks and predictions
Prediction
BYU 83, Ohio State 81
Moneyline
PASS.
I like the Cougars (-170) to get the victory, but not at this price. I think the Buckeyes keep it tight and I'll take the points.
Against the spread
BET OHIO STATE +3.5 (-110).
Ohio State has the backcourt talent and depth to challenge BYU. Mobley is back for the Buckeyes and his 41% from beyond the arc last season, while transfer Pippen and freshman Thompson provide additional offensive firepower. The Buckeyes also hold an analytical edge, ranking No. 18 in KenPom compared to BYU at No. 33, with the projections favoring Ohio State 82-81. Although playing in Utah presents challenges, the neutral-site matchup at the Delta Center eliminates BYU's traditional home-court advantage at the Marriott Center.
With strong perimeter shooting, versatile defenders and enough offensive weapons to answer BYU's scoring runs, Ohio State is well-positioned to keep this matchup competitive throughout.
Over/Under
BET OVER 160.5 (-115).
BYU and Ohio State have the offensive firepower to make Monday's season opener a high-scoring affair. The Cougars feature an up-tempo attack led by Wright and several dangerous perimeter shooters. Ohio State counters with Mobley and Pippen, providing plenty of scoring options. With both teams pushing the pace and adjusting to new rotations, expect quick possessions, open looks and frequent trips to the free-throw line.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. BYU Cougars odds, picks and predictions
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