Ohio State vs. TCU: Odds for 2026 NCAA Tournament First Round

TCU head coach Jamie Dixon looks on during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Houston and TCU Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas.
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
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Ohio State and TCU will tip off the 2026 NCAA Tournament’s Round of 64 on Thursday afternoon. 

The 12 hours of basketball that follow it will be one of the best days of this year’s sports calendar.

Ohio State vs. TCU Odds

  • Point Spread: Ohio State -2.5
  • Moneyline: Ohio State -145  |  TCU +120
  • Total: 146.5

Ohio State vs. TCU: NCAA Tournament First Round

Most metrics like KenPom suggest Ohio State is the better team, which is supported by this college basketball spreads market. The Buckeyes are a short favorite.

But there’s one key aspect of this game worth remembering: coaching. TCU head coach Jamie Dixon is headed to his 16th NCAA Tournament and knows exactly how to prepare for a game like this. 

Ohio State’s Jake Diebler, on the other hand, is 39 years old and appearing in his first tournament game as a head coach. 

Neither of these teams can beat a healthy Duke. But if you’re strictly focused on the outcome for this game, Dixon’s experience could come into play.

The BetMGM online sportsbook is the premier destination for basketball odds throughout the year, including college basketball odds.

With futures like national championship odds and Wooden Award odds to daily betting on spreads, moneylines, and over/under totals, there’s non-stop entertainment.

Log in to your account today to start betting! If you don’t have an account yet, check out the sportsbook welcome offer, one of many sports betting promos available at BetMGM.

 

 

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About the Author Read More @chaseakiddy

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.