Ohio State vs Nebraska Odds, Picks and Predictions: Tominaga Leads Offensive Barrage

Both Ohio State and Nebraska are coming off wins after dropping a few Big Ten tilts over the last month. They should match up well in a game that the college basketball odds have the Cornhuskers as 3.5-point favorites.

These are two of the most efficient offenses in the Big Ten and bring multiple scorers to Pinnacle Bank Arena’s court who have the capability of popping off. With all the offensive talent being deployed, bettors should expect a high-scoring evening in Lincoln.

Find out where my best bets lie in our college basketball picks and predictions for Ohio State vs. Nebraska on Tuesday, January 23.

Ohio State vs Nebraska best odds

Ohio State vs Nebraska picks and predictions

Despite Nebraska’s 14-5 record, this Cornhusker program is dangerous and has fallen victim to a loaded Big Ten this season. Fred Hoiberg’s squad has turned a corner this year and is in position to put enough points up against the Buckeyes for the Over 149 to be in play.

Even Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann knows Nebraska is better than its record indicates and mentioned it after the Buckeyes 79-67 win over Penn State Saturday.

“We've got a quick turnaround to play a really good team in Nebraska,” Holtmann said. “We have to get ready to play a different style defensively. They are so good there. When you look at their metrics, they shape out as one of the top three or four teams in the Big Ten right now.”

Nebraska is 28th in adjusted offensive efficiency this season and putting up 78.3 points per game while shooting the 33rd-most 3s per game in the country (26.6). The Cornhuskers offense has leaned on 3s and its paid off with how deep its rotation goes this season.

Hoiberg’s offense has five players hitting at least one 3-pointer per game and five players hitting at least 36.8% of their 3s. Led by Keisei Tominaga, Nebraska is hitting 9.3 3s per game and shooting 35% from deep as a team.

There’s been a noticeable difference when the Cornhuskers are at home too. The program is 12-1 at Pinnacle Bank Arena this season and 4-0 in Big Ten games. In those four Big Ten home games, including a win over No. 1 Purdue, Nebraska is averaging 81.5 points per game. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes haven’t won a road game since Jan. 1, 2023 (12 straight defeats). 

While Tominaga leads the team in scoring with 14.5 points per game while shooting 38.1% from deep on 6.2 attempts per game, it’s clear Hoiberg can lean on any number of shooters. Brice Williams, Rienk Mast, and Juwan Gary each average in the double-digits and each hit at least one 3-pointer per game on at least three attempts per game. 

All three of them are at least 6-foot-6 and Mast in particular, who’s 6-foot-9, could cause problems for an undersized Buckeyes team. But beyond this trio, even guard CJ Wilcher can be a threat off the bench with his 43.5% shooting from downtown.

While the Buckeyes’ defense has been solid this season, holding teams to just 66.6 points per game and ranking 63rd in adjusted defensive efficiency, it’s also played just the 98th-toughest offensive schedule. This defense is allowing teams to shoot 33.5% from long range, which provides Nebraska with a terrific mismatch. 

The Buckeyes have struggled in Big Ten play, going 3-4 and allowing 73 points per game. Holtmann’s best chance at finally winning a road game will be taking advantage of this Nebraska defense that’s been iffy.

The Cornhuskers are 102nd in adjusted defensive efficiency and are allowing 70.1 points per game this season. That number jumps to 78.2 against Big Ten opponents. With Bruce Thornton, Jamison Battle, and Roddy Gayle Jr., the Buckeyes have the talent to take advantage of Hoiberg’s defense, or lack thereof.

Ohio State is scoring 76.4 points per game and ranks 40th in adjusted offensive efficiency. Thornton leads the way with 16 points per game while Battle, a 6-foot-7 forward, causes mismatches with his 3-point shooting — he leads the team with 2.9 3s per game and shoots 44.5% from deep. Gayle Jr. pairs well with Thornton and brings 14.2 points per game to the table.

All three of them have taken over games at times this season — Thornton has five 20-plus scoring games, and Battle and Gayle Jr. each have three. They can attack this Nebraska defense by driving to the rim with Thornton and Gayle Jr., or stepping out and shooting from behind the arc with Battle.

My best bet: Over 149 (-110 at bet365)

Ohio State vs Nebraska same-game parlay

Over 148.5

Keisei Tominaga Over 14.5 points

Bruce Thornton Over 15.5 points

+325 at bet365

The Cornhuskers offense goes through Tominaga and his 3-point shooting. The fifth-year senior has been the perfect guard to lead Hoiberg’s 3-point shooting attack. 

He’s scored at least 15 points in nine of 17 games this season, including in four of his last six. Tominaga has been key to Nebraska’s home dominance against the Big Ten, as he’s averaging 19 points in those four conference wins.

Similarly, Ohio State goes as far as Thornton can take them on offense. He’s caused issues for opposing defenses with his attacking mentality and has scored at least 16 points in eight of 18 games this season. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Ohio State vs Nebraska spread and Over/Under analysis

The Cornhuskers opened between 1.5 and 2.5 favorites, but are now -3.5 pretty much everywhere. The Buckeyes are 7-10-1 ATS this season and 1-6 in Big Ten games. Nebraska is a respectable 11-8 ATS and 4-4 in the Big Ten.

The game total opened high at 149.5 given the offensive prowess of both these programs and has come down only slightly to between 148.5 and 149. Ohio State is 9-9 to the Over this season and 3-4 in Big Ten games. Nebraska is 12-6-1 to the Over and 6-1-1 in Big Ten games.

Ohio State vs Nebraska betting trend to know

Nebraska has hit the Game Total Over in 22 of their last 31 games (+13.20 Units / 39% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Ohio State vs. Nebraska.

Ohio State vs Nebraska game info

Ohio State vs Nebraska key injuries

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