TCU vs. Ohio State odds, prediction: 2026 NCAA Tournament picks from proven model

The ninth-seeded TCU Horned Frogs battle the eighth-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes in the first round of the NCAA Tournament East regional on Thursday. TCU is coming off a 78-73 loss to the Kansas Jayhawks in the Big 12 Conference Tournament on Thursday, while Ohio State dropped a 71-67 decision to Michigan in the Big Ten Conference Tournament on Friday. The Horned Frogs (22-11), who placed sixth in the Big 12 at 11-7, have won six of their last seven games. The Buckeyes (21-12), who were eighth in the Big Ten at 12-8, have won four of their last five.

Tip-off from Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., is set for 12:15 p.m. ET. Ohio State leads the all-time series 4-0, but the teams have not played since 1969. Ohio State is a 2.5-point favorite in the latest TCU vs. Ohio State odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 146.5. 

Before making any TCU vs. Ohio State picks, check out the college basketball predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every college basketball game 10,000 times. It entered the 2026 NCAA Tournament on a sizzling 11-1 run on top-ranked over/under picks dating back to last year, and is on a 28-22 run on top-rated CBB side picks. Anyone following could have seen HUGE returns!

The model has simulated TCU vs. Ohio State 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is going Over on the total, and it also says one side of the spread hits well over 60% of the time!

So who wins TCU vs. Ohio State, and which side of the spread hits well over 60% of the time? Join SportsLine right now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the computer model that has simulated this matchup 10,000 times!