Ohio State vs. TCU Dunkel Predictions & Vegas Odds - First Round

The ninth-seeded TCU Horned Frogs (22-11) will try to pull off a first-round NCAA Tournament upset against the No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes (21-12) on Thursday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The contest tips off at 12:15 p.m. ET on CBS. TCU is a 2.5-point underdog in the game. Here's what you need to know before filling out your brackets for this 8-9 matchup in the East Region. The matchup's over/under is set at 146.5.

Ohio State enters this game after a 71-67 loss to Michigan on Friday. Bruce Thornton's team-high 22 points paced Ohio State in the losing effort. TCU heads into this matchup following a 78-73 loss to Kansas on Thursday. David Punch scored 24 points in TCU's loss, leading the team.

Ohio State vs. TCU Odds and Game Time

• When: Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 12:15 p.m. ET
• Where: Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina
• Spread favorite: Ohio State -2.5
• Moneyline favorite: Ohio State -144
• Moneyline underdog: TCU +117
• Over/Under: 146.5 points

How to watch Ohio State vs. TCU

• TV Channel: CBS
• Check out the rest of our Dunkel Index NCAA Basketball Picks!

Betting the Over/Under: Ohio State vs. TCU

• Ohio State and its opponents have combined to outscore Thursday's over/under (146.5 points) 19 times this season.
• This season, 17 games TCU has played finished with a combined score higher than 146.5 points.
• The over/under for the game of 146.5 is 11.6 points fewer than the combined points per game averages for the Buckeyes (79.8 points per game) and the Horned Frogs (78.3 points per game).
• These two teams give up a combined 144.9 points per game, 1.6 points less than this contest's over/under.
• This season, the average over/under for Ohio State's games is 152.6 points, 6.1 more than the total of 146.5 points set for this contest.
• The over/under for this contest is 3.9 points lower than the average over/under in TCU's games this season of 150.4.

Betting the Spread: Ohio State vs. TCU

• Ohio State is 18-15-0 against the spread this year.
• So far this season, the Buckeyes have been installed as favorites by a 2.5-point margin or more 18 times and are 8-10 ATS in those contests.
• TCU is 19-14-0 against the spread this year.
• The Horned Frogs have been underdogs by 2.5 points or more 11 times this season and are 8-3 ATS in those games.
• Ohio State is 14-3 overall, and 8-9 against the spread, at home.
• As a 2.5-point favorite or greater at home, Ohio State is 6-7 ATS.
• On the road, TCU is 4-5 overall and 6-3 against the spread.
• TCU has one win ATS (1-1) as 2.5-point underdogs or more away from home.

Betting the Moneyline: Ohio State vs. TCU

• Ohio State has been the moneyline favorite in 20 games this season and won 18 (90%) of those contests.
• The Buckeyes have entered 18 games this season favored by -144 or more and are 16-2 in those contests.
• Ohio State has a 59% chance to win this game based on the implied probability of the moneyline.
• TCU has won in six, or 50%, of the 12 contests it has been named as the moneyline underdog this year.
• The Horned Frogs have a win-loss record of 5-6 with odds of +117 or worse this year.
• The moneyline set for this matchup implies TCU has a 46.1% chance of walking away with the win.