BYU Defeats Ohio State in High-Scoring Affair
Monday, November 2, 2026, 9:00 PM ET · Delta Center
BYU Cougars 94, Ohio State Buckeyes 83, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Ohio State Buckeyes vs BYU Cougars?
BYU Cougars beat Ohio State Buckeyes 94-83 at Delta Center on November 2, 2026.
Who was favored in Ohio State Buckeyes vs BYU Cougars?
BYU Cougars were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -166 (about 62% implied). The favorite won.
In an exciting matchup at the Delta Center, the BYU Cougars secured a 94-83 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes, marking a strong start for the home team in the NCAAB season. This game was particularly noteworthy as it showcased BYU's offensive capabilities, with the Cougars averaging 78.1 points in their last ten games leading up to this contest. Despite their recent form, which included a streak of one loss, BYU was able to capitalize on their home advantage, improving their record to 2-0.
The Cougars entered the game with a home record of 1-0 and a recent form of 5-5 over their last ten games, while the Buckeyes came in with an away record of 0-1 and a mixed performance of 6-4 in their last ten outings. Ohio State's scoring average of 76.4 points per game in that stretch indicated their potential, but they struggled to keep pace with BYU's offense.
The game featured a competitive first half, but BYU pulled ahead in the second half, demonstrating their ability to score under pressure. Key moments included Bruce Branch III's impressive alley-oop dunk and Robert Wright III's crucial three-pointer, which helped maintain BYU's lead. The Cougars' ability to convert free throws, particularly from Jimmie Williams, also contributed to their success in the closing moments of the game.
In terms of previous meetings, this matchup was significant as it provided a chance for both teams to gauge their early-season form against a formidable opponent. The Buckeyes, despite their loss, showed flashes of brilliance, including a late surge that brought them within striking distance, but ultimately fell short.
Injury reports indicated that both teams were at full strength, allowing for a competitive game without significant absences affecting the outcome. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, favored BYU with a spread of -3.5, reflecting confidence in their home performance. The total points line was set at 160.5, which was surpassed in the high-scoring affair.
With the victory, BYU not only improved their standings but also set a tone for the season, showcasing their offensive depth and resilience. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how both teams adjust in their upcoming fixtures, especially Ohio State as they seek to bounce back from this loss.
What we said beforehand
The upcoming matchup between the BYU Cougars and Ohio State Buckeyes is set to take place at the Delta Center on November 3, 2026, at 02:00 UTC. Both teams enter this game with a clean slate, as they have not yet played any games this season, making this fixture particularly intriguing as they look to establish their identities early on in the NCAAB season.
In their last five games from the previous season, the BYU Cougars recorded three wins and two losses. Their victories came against Texas Tech Red Raiders (82-76), Kansas State Wildcats (105-91), and West Virginia Mountaineers (68-48), while they faced defeats against Houston Cougars (66-73) and Texas Longhorns (71-79). Over their last ten games, BYU has a record of 5-5, with an average of 78.1 points scored per game and 78.4 points allowed. Notably, they have a home record of 4-1, indicating a strong performance in familiar surroundings, although they are currently on a one-game losing streak.
On the other hand, the Ohio State Buckeyes also come into this game with a recent form that includes three wins and two losses in their last five outings. They achieved victories against Penn State Nittany Lions (94-62), Indiana Hoosiers (91-78), and Iowa Hawkeyes (72-69), while suffering losses to Michigan Wolverines (67-71) and TCU Horned Frogs (64-66). Ohio State's overall record over the last ten games stands at 6-4, with an average of 76.4 points scored and 71.5 points allowed. Their away record is 1-3, which may play a role in how they perform against BYU in this away game.
The betting market has set the odds for this matchup with BYU favored by 3.5 points according to DraftKings. The total points line is set at 160.5, with the over priced at -112.0 and the under at -108.0. The moneyline odds indicate that BYU is -166.0 while Ohio State is at 140.0, reflecting the expectation that BYU may have the upper hand in this contest.
As both teams prepare for their season opener, the performance of key players will be crucial. However, the block does not provide specific details on injuries or player availability, which could influence the outcome of the game. Fans will be keen to see how the teams adjust to the new season dynamics and how their strategies unfold on the court.
Overall, this matchup promises to be an exciting start to the NCAAB season, with both teams looking to assert themselves. The Cougars will aim to leverage their home advantage, while the Buckeyes will seek to overcome their away challenges. Viewers should watch for how each team utilizes its scoring capabilities and defensive strategies as they kick off their campaigns.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | BYU -3.5 | 160.5 o -112 / u -108 | Ohio State Buckeyes +140 · BYU Cougars -166 |
Leaders
- PointsRobert Wright III33BYU Cougars
- AssistsRobert Wright III5BYU Cougars
- ReboundsTyler Betsey7BYU Cougars
- PointsAmare Bynum20Ohio State Buckeyes
- AssistsJohn Mobley Jr.7Ohio State Buckeyes
- ReboundsAndrija Jelavic9Ohio State Buckeyes
Recent form
BYU Cougars
Last 10: 5-5Streak L178.1 scored · 78.4 allowed per game4-1 at home
- L66-73at Houston CougarsMar 12
- W68-48at West Virginia MountaineersMar 11
- W105-91vs Kansas State WildcatsMar 10
- W82-76vs Texas Tech Red RaidersMar 8
- L68-90at Cincinnati BearcatsMar 4
- L71-79at West Virginia MountaineersFeb 28
- L84-97vs UCF KnightsFeb 25
- W79-69vs Iowa State CyclonesFeb 22
- L68-75at Arizona WildcatsFeb 19
- W90-86vs Colorado BuffaloesFeb 14
Ohio State Buckeyes
Last 10: 6-4Streak L176.4 scored · 71.5 allowed per game1-3 away
- L67-71at Michigan WolverinesMar 13
- W72-69vs Iowa HawkeyesMar 12
- W91-78vs Indiana HoosiersMar 7
- W94-62at Penn State Nittany LionsMar 5
- W82-74vs Purdue BoilermakersMar 1
- L57-74at Iowa HawkeyesFeb 26
- L60-66at Michigan State SpartansFeb 22
- W86-69vs Wisconsin BadgersFeb 18
- L66-70vs Virginia CavaliersFeb 15
- W89-82vs USC TrojansFeb 11
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Indiana | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Maryland | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Michigan | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Michigan State | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Minnesota | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Nebraska | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Northwestern | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Penn State | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Wisconsin | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Iowa | 0-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Oregon | 0-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Rutgers | 0-0 | - | 0-0 |
| UCLA | 0-0 | - | 0-0 |
| USC | 0-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Washington | 0-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Ohio State | 0-1 | - | 0-0 |
| Purdue | 0-1 | - | 0-0 |
| BYU | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Baylor | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Cincinnati | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Colorado | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Houston | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Kansas | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Oklahoma State | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| TCU | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Texas Tech | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| UCF | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Utah | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| West Virginia | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Arizona | 0-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Arizona State | 0-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Kansas State | 0-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Iowa State | 0-1 | - | 0-0 |
Box score
| Stat | Ohio State Buckeyes | BYU Cougars |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-57 | 31-57 |
| Field goal % | 49 | 54 |
| Three-pointers | 9-28 | 11-24 |
| Three-point % | 32 | 46 |
| Free throws | 18-19 | 21-27 |
| Free throw % | 95 | 78 |
| Rebounds | 31 | 30 |
| Offensive rebounds | 10 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 21 | 20 |
| Assists | 18 | 12 |
| Steals | 6 | 3 |
| Blocks | 3 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 8 | 11 |
| Fast-break points | 8 | 14 |
| Points in the paint | 38 | 36 |
| Fouls | 23 | 19 |
| Largest lead | 11 | 13 |
| Lead changes | 3 | 3 |
| Time in front | 47 | 42 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half57-59Collin Chandler makes driving layup
- 2nd Half58-59Amare Bynum makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-59Amare Bynum makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-62Tyler Betsey makes 26-foot three point jumper (Collin Chandler assists)
- 2nd Half59-63Jaxon Kohler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-64Jaxon Kohler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-66Jaxon Kohler makes driving layup
- 2nd Half60-66John Mobley Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-66John Mobley Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-68Brooks Bahr makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-71Robert Wright III makes 27-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half61-72Bruce Branch III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-73Bruce Branch III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-73Andrija Jelavic makes layup (Amare Bynum assists)
- 2nd Half64-73Justin Pippen makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-73Justin Pippen makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-73Andrija Jelavic makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half67-74Collin Chandler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-75Collin Chandler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-75Anthony Thompson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-75Anthony Thompson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-77Bruce Branch III makes 16-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half70-77Jimmie Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-77Jimmie Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-80Tyler Betsey makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half74-80Andrija Jelavic makes 27-foot three point jumper (Amare Bynum assists)
- 2nd Half74-81Robert Wright III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-82Robert Wright III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-82Amare Bynum makes driving layup (Justin Pippen assists)
- 2nd Half76-84Collin Chandler makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half76-85Robert Wright III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-86Robert Wright III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-88Bruce Branch III makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (Robert Wright III assists)
- 2nd Half77-88Jimmie Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-88Jimmie Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half78-91Robert Wright III makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half81-91LJ Smith makes 25-foot three point jumper (Curtis Givens III assists)
- 2nd Half81-92Tyler Betsey makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half81-94Khadim Mboup makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (Robert Wright III assists)
- 2nd Half83-94Andrija Jelavic makes 0-foot tip in layup
Win probability
Above the line favours BYU Cougars, below favours Ohio State Buckeyes.
Venue
- Delta CenterSalt Lake City, UT
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