Ohio State Buckeyes vs Pittsburgh Panthers Prediction and Picks - November 28, 2025
It's the Big 10 vs the ACC in college hoops action on Friday evening, and we have an Ohio State vs Pittsburgh prediction ready to roll for you. The Buckeys enter this contest a perfect 6-0 on the year, and they are off a 113-60 blowout win over Mount St Mary's. The Panthers come in off an 83-75 loss at home to Quinnipiac to fall to 4-3 on the year. These teams met last year, and Pittsburgh won that game on the road 91-90 in OT. Can Ohio State get a measure of revenge? Continue reading to see our Ohio State vs Pittsburgh prediction.
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Buckets Rout Mount St Mary's
Ohio State comes into this matchup riding high after a 113-60 win over Mount St. Mary’s on November 25. John Mobley Jr. poured in a season-high 26 points, while Devin Royal added 17 and Bruce Thornton chipped in five assists. The Buckeyes shot 64% from the field and buried 14 threes, showing off the offensive efficiency that has carried them to a perfect 6-0 start.
The Buckeyes’ offense has been one of the most efficient in the country, averaging 92.5 points per game while shooting 53.8% from the floor (4th nationally). Thornton has been the leader, scoring 21 points per game with a steady hand at the line, while Mobley and Christoph Tilly provide consistent secondary scoring. Their three-point shooting at 38.8% gives them balance, and they’ve been reliable at the stripe with a 79.1% free-throw percentage. This combination of perimeter shooting and inside presence makes them difficult to defend, especially when they’re pushing tempo.
Defensively, Ohio State has been just as impressive, holding opponents to 67.3 points per game and limiting them to 26.2% from three (23rd nationally). Their rebounding numbers are strong as well, ranking 3rd in defensive rebounds per game, which allows them to control possessions and limit second-chance opportunities. With Thornton’s leadership and Tilly’s size inside, the Buckeyes have the tools to frustrate Pittsburgh’s offense and keep their unbeaten streak alive.
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Panthers Stunned By Quinnipiac At Home
Pittsburgh enters this game after an 83-75 loss to Quinnipiac on November 23, a setback that dropped them to 4-3 on the season. Roman Siulepa led the Panthers with 20 points and eight rebounds, while Cameron Corhen added 17 points and 11 boards. Despite shooting 44% from the field, turnovers and defensive lapses allowed Quinnipiac to pull away late.
The Panthers’ offense has been inconsistent, averaging 72.1 points per game (288th nationally). Corhen has been their most reliable option, posting 14.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, while Brandin Cummings adds scoring punch at 12.4 points per game. Damarco Minor has chipped in with double-digit scoring and nearly five rebounds per contest, but overall, Pittsburgh has struggled to find balance. Their three-point shooting sits below average, and they’ll need multiple players to step up if they want to keep pace with Ohio State’s high-powered attack.
Defensively, Pittsburgh has been steadier, allowing 66.6 points per game (63rd nationally). They’ve shown the ability to rebound well, averaging 37.8 boards per game, with Corhen anchoring the paint. However, their perimeter defense has been shaky, and against a Buckeyes team shooting nearly 39% from deep, that could be a major concern. The Panthers will need to lean on their home-court advantage and Corhen’s presence inside to slow the game down and avoid getting caught in Ohio State’s uptempo style.
Ohio State vs Pittsburgh Pick
Ohio State vs Pittsburgh Spread Pick
- Ohio State -5.5 (5 Units)
Ohio State -5.5 looks like a strong angle because the Buckeyes’ offense has been firing on all cylinders. They’re averaging over 92 points per game while shooting an elite 53.8% from the field, and Bruce Thornton has been the steady leader at 21 points per game. With John Mobley Jr. and Christoph Tilly providing consistent scoring support, Ohio State has multiple weapons that can stretch defenses. Pittsburgh, by contrast, averages just 72 points per game, and their perimeter shooting has been shaky. That gap in offensive efficiency makes it tough to see the Panthers keeping pace for a full 40 minutes.
Defensively, Ohio State has been just as reliable, holding opponents to 67 points per game and limiting them to 26% from three-point range, one of the best marks nationally. Their ability to rebound — ranking 3rd in defensive boards per game — ensures they control possessions and limit second-chance opportunities. Pittsburgh’s strength lies in Cameron Corhen’s presence inside, but the Buckeyes’ size and depth in the frontcourt should neutralize that advantage. With Ohio State’s balance on both ends of the floor, laying the -5.5 feels justified, as they have the tools to dictate tempo and pull away late.
Ohio State vs Pittsburgh Over/Under Pick
- Under 146 (4 Units)
The Under 146 makes sense because Ohio State’s defense has been one of the best in the country, holding opponents to just 67 points per game and limiting them to 26% from three, while Pittsburgh’s offense has been inconsistent at only 72 points per game. The Panthers rely heavily on Cameron Corhen inside, but they don’t have the perimeter firepower to push pace against the Buckeyes’ disciplined defense. With Ohio State controlling tempo and Pittsburgh leaning on half-court sets, this matchup projects more as a grind than a shootout, keeping the total below the number.
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