The Ohio State Buckeyes (18-11) are looking to boost their NCAA Tournament resume as March rolls on. Meanwhile, the Penn State Nittany Lions (12-17) aim to finish the regular season on a strong note before the Big Ten tournament begins next week.
Wednesday’s battle between Big Ten teams tips off at 7:30 ET on Peacock.
Below, we’ll break down our Ohio State vs. Penn State prediction and picks for Wednesday's game. Make your college basketball picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money if you’re right, including on game winners, spreads, and totals!
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Ohio State vs. Penn State Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
Ohio State has been one of the more inconsistent teams in the Big Ten throughout the season. However, they did record a much-needed 82-74 win against #8 Purdue on Sunday behind a 21-point performance from sophomore G John Mobley.
Penn State is going in a very different direction, owning a losing record under third-year head coach Mike Rhoades. The Nittany Lions have lost five of their last seven games but did come away with a 71-69 win against Iowa on Saturday.
Ohio State has a 45-21 lead in the all-time series and has won seven of the last 10 matchups dating back to 2021.
Ohio State vs. Penn State Spread, Over/Under
Ohio State enters Wednesday’s game as 7.5-point road favorites, returning a 1.31x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
Penn State is a home underdog with a 3.57x payout if they win outright, via PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can earn money with your picks in 34 states.
- Spread: Ohio State Buckeyes -7.5
- Over/Under: 152.5
- Game Winner Payout: Buckeyes 1.31x | Nittany Lions 3.57x
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Ohio State vs. Penn State Prediction on Spread
Here are the key stats to know before locking in your Ohio State vs. Penn State prediction on the spread for Wednesday, March 4 on PrizePicks.
- Penn State has a 6-2 against-the-spread record as a home underdog in Big Ten games. Ohio State is 1-2 ATS as a road favorites in conference matchups.
- Ohio State and Penn State are very evenly matched offensively. The Buckeyes shoot 48.7% on a nightly basis (fourth in the Big Ten), while the Nittany Lions knock down 47.1% of their shots (fifth).
- The Nittany Lions allow the most points per game (79.1) among all Big Ten teams.
- The Buckeyes hold their opponents to a 31.0% shooting percentage from 3-point range, third-lowest in the Big Ten.
- According to Bart Torvik, Ohio State has recorded an adjusted offensive efficiency of 123.9, 22nd in the country.
Ohio State vs. Penn State Picks for PrizePicks Today: 3/4/26
Here are the three top Ohio State vs. Penn State picks to target for Wednesday, March 4 on PrizePicks. Player stat projections via PrizePicks are headlined by Ohio State G Bruce Thornton, Ohio State F Devin Royal, and Buckeyes G John Mobley.
Ohio State G Bruce Thornton vs. Penn State Projection: 30 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- The senior guard has averaged 31.8 points, rebounds, and assists in his previous five games.
- Thornton has scored at least 27 points in three of his last five contests, including a 32-point performance vs. Michigan State on February 22.
- The former four-star recruit is shooting 38.5% from deep this season.
- Per Bart Torvik, Thornton has an adjusted points over replacement per game of 6.9, second in the country behind only Duke F Cameron Boozer (7.7).
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Ohio State F Devin Royal vs. Penn State Projection: 21.5 Pts + Rebs
- The junior forward has averaged 20.8 points and rebounds in his last five contests.
- Royal has netted at least 12 points in four of his last five games, including a 25-point showing vs. Wisconsin on February 17.
- The Buckeyes wing has secured at least 5 rebounds in four of his last five contests.
- Royal scored 14 points on 4-of-8 shooting and grabbed 3 rebounds in an 84-78 win vs. Penn State in the first meeting on January 26.
Ohio State G John Mobley vs. Penn State Projection: 3.5 3-PT Made
- The sophomore guard is shooting a career-high 41.1% from beyond the arc, a slight uptick from a 38.5% clip in 2024-25. He leads the conference in 3-point efficiency.
- Mobley has knocked down at least four shots from deep in six of his last 10 games.
- Penn State allows its opponents to shoot 38.3% from 3-point land, ranking dead last in the Big Ten.
Make Ohio State vs. Penn State Picks on PrizePicks
Ohio State continues to try to bolster its NCAA Tournament resume in the final days of the regular season. Meanwhile, Penn State attempts to play the role of spoiler. You can get in on Wednesday’s college basketball action and make picks with PrizePicks.
You can make your picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 34 states.
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