Ohio State Buckeyes vs Maryland Terrapins Picks and Predictions for Thursday February 5 2026
The Ohio State Buckeyes travel to College Park to take on the Maryland Terrapins on Thursday night at XFINITY Center, with tipoff scheduled for 8:30 PM ET. This Big Ten matchup will be televised on FS1. At the time of this writing, the moneyline odds were not released. The total is set at 151.5 points, with the over priced at -108 and the under at -112, while Ohio State is favored by 6.5 points on the road. For more daily betting insight and full-card analysis, be sure to check out our free college basketball picks.
Buckeyes Bringing Scoring Punch on the Road
Ohio State enters this matchup with a 14-7 overall record and has been tested away from home this season. The Buckeyes have recently lost road games to Wisconsin and Michigan but picked up wins over Penn State, Minnesota in overtime, and UCLA in their last five games. That stretch highlights both Ohio State’s offensive upside and some defensive inconsistency against top-tier competition.
From a statistical standpoint, Ohio State averages 82.2 points per game while allowing 73.5. The Buckeyes shoot an efficient 49% from the field and average 35.7 rebounds per contest, often creating offense through ball movement rather than isolation. Their 15.1 assists per game reflect a balanced attack that can score at all three levels.
One area where Ohio State excels is offensive efficiency. The Buckeyes consistently convert high-percentage looks and do a solid job limiting turnovers. While they are not an overly aggressive defensive team, their ability to outscore opponents has been the foundation of their success.
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Terrapins Struggling to Find Consistency at Home
Maryland comes into Thursday night with an 8-13 overall record and has endured a difficult stretch of conference play. The Terrapins have recently lost to Purdue, Michigan State, Illinois, and USC, with their lone win in the last five coming against Penn State at home. Defensive breakdowns have been a recurring issue during this run.
Offensively, Maryland averages 72.5 points per game while allowing 79.7, one of the higher marks in the conference. The Terrapins shoot just 40% from the field and struggle to generate consistent scoring opportunities. They average 35.3 rebounds per game but often fail to capitalize on second-chance points.
Defensively, Maryland has not been able to slow opposing offenses. The Terrapins allow opponents to control tempo and have struggled to contest shots effectively, which has led to several lopsided losses. Without a major defensive improvement, keeping pace with Ohio State’s offense will be challenging.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs Maryland Terrapins Pick
Ohio State Buckeyes vs Maryland Terrapins Spread Pick
- Pick: Ohio State -6.5
Ohio State’s offensive efficiency and depth give them a clear edge in this matchup. Maryland has struggled against stronger competition, particularly defensively, and Ohio State should be able to score consistently throughout the game. Laying the points makes sense given the matchup.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs Maryland Terrapins Total Pick
- Pick: Over 151.5
I’m taking the over here due to Ohio State’s scoring pace and Maryland’s defensive issues. The Buckeyes are capable of pushing this game into the 80s on their own, and if Maryland contributes even modestly, the total should be within reach.
Final Score Prediction: Ohio State 84, Maryland 74
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