Ohio State vs UConn Picks and Prediction for Friday November 13, 2026
The Ohio State Buckeyes will be on the road Friday night with a game inside People's Bank Arena in Hartford, CT, at 7:30 PM against the UConn Huskies. Coverage will be on TNT. Ohio State comes into this matchup having won two of their first three games played, including the last two following a 10-point home victory against Marshall. The UConn Huskies stay home Friday is the #4-ranked team in the nation undefeated through three games played after a 42-point blowout victory against Wagner. Stay in the action with our College Basketball Picks.
Ohio State Looks for the Upset
The Ohio State offense has been stout this season, averaging 85.3 points on 47% shooting from the floor. Defensively, Ohio State has held its own, allowing 77.7 points per game this year, but gave up 94 points in its lone loss of the season. John Mobley Jr. leads the Ohio State offense this season, averaging 19.3 points and five assists per game. Amare Bynum is second on the team this season, averaging 15 points per game. Big man Andrija Jelavic is also averaging 15 points per game this year and leads Ohio State, pulling in 7.3 rebounds per game. Justin Pippen is the third player on the team in double digits, averaging 10.3 points per game.
The Ohio State offense did the work in its last outing, pouring in 84 points on 44% shooting and 28% from beyond the arc. Defensively, Ohio State did just enough, giving up 74 points on 48% shooting. The Buckeyes pulled in 34 rebounds and forced 15 turnovers in the win. John Mobley Jr. led Ohio State with 19 points and four assists on 14 shots.
UConn Looks to Keep It Rolling
The UConn Huskies are averaging 84.7 points on 46% shooting from the floor this season. Defensively, UConn has been dominant, allowing 54.7 points per game through three games played. Braylon Mullins leads the UConn offense this season, averaging 17.7 points per game. Silas Demary Jr. is second on the roster with 14.7 points, and he leads the team, dishing out 5.3 assists. Nik Khamenia is averaging 10.7 points, and Colben Landrew is averaging 10 points per game. Big man Na’Jai Hines is averaging 9.7 points, and he leads Connecticut, pulling in 7.3 rebounds per game.
Defensively, Connecticut dominated its last outing, giving up just 46 points on 26% shooting and 30% from the outside. Offensively, UConn was phenomenal, scoring 86 points, including 43 in each half, on 52% shooting. The Huskies won the rebounding battle by 18 and forced 17 turnovers in the win. Braylon Mullins led UConn with 20 points on 12 shots.
Ohio State vs UConn Pick
Pick: UConn Huskies
UConn is the favorite in this game and will benefit from the home crowd. The Huskies have shown a stout defense early in the season and have the depth and offensive talent to effectively challenge Ohio State. The Buckeyes have been scoring the ball well this year, but their defense has had issues, which led to their loss to BYU in the season opener. Expect the Huskies to control the game's tempo and leverage their size and defensive pressure to gain an advantage as the game progresses. Take UConn to do the work Friday night at home to remain undefeated with a win and cover.
Secondary: Under
Both teams boast offensive talent; however, UConn's defense will be the difference in this matchup. The Huskies have allowed fewer than 55 points per game in their first three outings and are likely to slow down Ohio State's offense. Ohio State will have to constantly work Friday night to get quality looks and won't be able to withstand the 40-minute grind. UConn will set the tone early on both sides of the ball and get everything they want. The Huskies will score consistently against a mediocre Ohio State defense, but the UConn defense will affect Friday's total. Take the Huskies to win in a low-scoring game that goes under the number.