The Ohio State Buckeyes head to Ann Arbor on Friday night to take on the Michigan Wolverines in a key Big Ten rivalry game.
Ohio State enters the matchup with a 13–5 overall record and winners of back-to-back games. The Buckeyes’ most recent victory came in overtime at home against Minnesota. Michigan sits at 17–1 on the season and has won three straight games, continuing to assert itself as one of the top teams in the country.
Ohio State is currently tied for seventh place in the Big Ten standings. Nebraska remains the only unbeaten team in conference play, while four teams sit at 7–1 and Wisconsin stands at 5–2. The Buckeyes’ January losses include a three-point home defeat to Nebraska and a seven-point road loss at Washington.
The Buckeyes opened 2026 with a road win at Rutgers and followed that up with a victory at Oregon. Before beating Minnesota in overtime, Ohio State also picked up a home win over UCLA. In nonconference play, their best wins came against Notre Dame and West Virginia.
For Michigan, only a January 10 home loss to Wisconsin separates the Wolverines from a perfect season. Since that loss, Michigan has won on the road at Washington and Oregon before returning home to defeat Indiana.
Michigan’s resume includes several notable victories. In December, the Wolverines beat Villanova. Earlier in the season, they knocked off TCU, San Diego State, Auburn, and Gonzaga. At one point, Michigan was ranked No. 1 in the country and currently sits at No. 3 under head coach Dusty May.
Ohio State vs. Michigan: Where, When, TV, Streaming
Date: Friday, January 23, 2026
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Crisler Center; Ann Arbor, Michigan
TV: FOX
Streaming: FuboTV
Ohio State vs. Michigan: Betting Odds
Odds subject to change
- Spread: Michigan Wolverines -16.5, Ohio State Buckeyes +16.5
- Moneyline: Michigan Wolverines -2500, Ohio State Buckeyes +1100
- Total: 161.5
Ohio State vs. Michigan: Series History
- All-time series: Ohio State leads 33–18
- Last meeting: Michigan won 86–83 on February 16, 2025
Projected Starting Lineups
Ohio State Buckeyes
- #2 Bruce Thornton — 20.7 PPG
- #00 John Mobley Jr. — 15.3 PPG
- #21 Devin Royal — 14.5 PPG
- #13 Christoph Tilly — 12.0 PPG
- #1 Amare Bynum — 9.0 PPG
* Key note: Brandon Noel is out indefinitely with a foot injury after starting 10 games this season.
Michigan Wolverines
- #23 Yaxel Lendeborg — 14.2 PPG
- #21 Morez Johnson Jr. — 13.8 PPG
- #15 Aday Mara — 10.9 PPG
- #3 Elliott Cadeau — 10.5 PPG
- #4 Nimari Burnett — 8.9 PPG
* Key note: Trey McKenney comes off the bench and averages 9.8 points per game.
Game Outlook
When Ohio State and Michigan meet, unpredictability is always part of the equation. Michigan has been one of the most complete teams in college basketball this season, pairing an efficient offense with disciplined, fundamental defense and the ability to adapt to any style of play.
Ohio State continues to search for consistency and an identity capable of elevating it into the league’s top tier. The Buckeyes are coming off an overtime win and should bring strong energy and effort into this rivalry game. However, against a Michigan team playing at an elite level, Ohio State may ultimately find itself overmatched in Ann Arbor.