TCU Horned Frogs vs Ohio State Buckeyes Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/19/2026

Game Time: 12:15 pm ET, Thursday, March 19, 2026

Venue:  Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, SC 

Where to Watch:  CBS

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  TCU +2.5, OSU -2.5; Over/Under:  146.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  TCU +2.5, OSU -2.5; Over/Under:  146.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  TCU +2.5, OSU -2.5; Over/Under:  146.5 points

TCU Horned Frogs:  22-11 (11-7) (6th place, Big 12)

Ohio State Buckeyes:  21-12 (12-8) (8th place, Big Ten)

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TCU Horned Frogs:  4-1  last 5

Ohio State Buckeyes:  4-1  last 5

TCU is entering this game with a 22-11 record overall, an 11-7 record in conference games, and they are 3-1 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Kansas Jayhawks in their last game. David Punch led the team in points in that game with 24 while Liutauras Lelevicius was next on the team with 14. Brock Harding and Jayden Pierre each led the team in assists with 3 in that game while David Punch led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 39.1% from the field, 36% from 3-point range, and 77.8% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 78.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 72.1 PPG against them. TCU has an ATS record of 18-15 this season and their O/U record is 15-18.

Ohio State is entering this game with a 21-12 record overall, a 12-8 conference record, and they are 2-3 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Michigan Wolverines in their last game. Bruce Thornton led the team in points in that game with 22 while Devin Royal was next on the team with 13. Bruce Thornton led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Devin Royal led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 37.9% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range, and 83.3% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 79.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 72.8 PPG against them. Ohio State has an ATS record of 17-15-1 this season and their O/U record is 16-17.

The current betting odds have Ohio State listed as a 2.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Ohio State has looked good in their games this season with their 21-12 record overall and their 12-8 conference record which had them in the top half of the Big Ten. They haven't looked great in neutral site games though, going 2-3 in those. Meanwhile, TCU has looked good in their games this season with their 22-11 record overall and their 11-7 conference record which had them in the top half of the Big 12. They have looked good in their neutral site games too with their 3-1 record in those. TCU played in the toughest conference in the nation this season and they performed well, but the Big Ten is still one of the best conferences in the nation and Ohio State really started to get hot at the right time. Ohio State has been winning a lot of games over the last few weeks and really took control of their own destiny when they had the chance. They ended the Big Ten Tournament with a loss to Michigan, but they lost to the best team in the conference by 4 points and were right in that game all day. TCU has also been rolling lately, but they definitely ended the regular season beating up on some of the worst teams in the Big 12. They also struggled in the Big 12 Tournament, needing a late comeback to barely beat Oklahoma State before losing to Kansas in the next round. Ohio State has also had the slightly better offense this season and they have the best player on the court in this game with Bruce Thornton. The best way to place a bet here is on Ohio State to cover the spread in this game. 

TCU Ohio State Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Thursday, March 19, 2026 (12:15 pm ET start time) is Ohio State 81 TCU 76.

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TCU Horned Frogs: 3-8 ATS on the road when the line is +3 to -3. 5-10 ATS on the road off a loss against a conference rival. 5-8 ATS in all tournament games. 11-6 OVER in all neutral court games. 

Ohio State Buckeyes: 11-4 ATS in all neutral court games. 6-3 ATS when the line is +3 to -3. 6-2 ATS at home versus teams who are called for 17 or less fouls/game. 24-14 OVER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%). 8-4 OVER in all tournament games.

TCU Horned Frogs:  M. Diallo (C) Out - Knee.

Ohio State Buckeyes:  T. Chatman (G) Questionable - Undisclosed. M. Herro (G) Out - Redshirt. J. Ojianwuna (F) Questionable - Knee.

“This league either wears you down or it builds you up. I think it's built us up.” - Jamie Dixon on the Big 12 this season. 

“It was really exciting. This team has overcome a lot to get to this point. And not just get to this point, but to be playing our best ball late. And it's a blessing. It's a blessing. I'm so thankful for this group of men, both our team and our staff that's been assembled and for their just resiliency all season that they've showed. How hard they've worked. And this is a payoff moment, but we want to keep this momentum going. That was a big thing we talked about today before we got together was we're playing our best ball at the right time of the year. Let's keep it, let's keep it up.” - Jake Diebler on his team making the NCAA Tournament as an 8 seed. 

X. Edmonds 

B. Harding 

L. Lelevicius 

J. Pierre 

D. Punch

A. Bynum 

J. Mobley 

D. Royal 

B. Thornton 

C. Tilly

PPG: David Punch (14.3)

APG: Brock Harding (5.7)

Reb/G: David Punch (6.7)

PPG: Bruce Thornton (20.2)

APG: Bruce Thornton (3.9)

Reb/G: Devin Royal (5.7)

Coaches:

TCU Horned Frogs: Jamie Dixon (10th season)

Ohio State Buckeyes: Jake Diebler (3rd season)