Hoosiers head to Columbus with odds stacked against them in vital matchup with Ohio State

The Indiana Hoosiers are set for a massive showdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday night in Columbus. The regular season finale carries plenty of NCAA Tournament implications for Darian DeVries' team, as IU is firmly on the bubble in most bracket projections. Looking to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023, Indiana desperately needs a win to boost its tournament resume.

Oddsmakers send clear message about Indiana’s NCAA Tournament chances

A win over the Buckeyes would move the Hoosiers to 10-10 in Big Ten play, and give them another road Q1 win for the committee to consider when determing the 68-team field. ESPN's Joe Lunardi has Indiana featured in the "Last Four In" category in his latest bracket projection, which leaves Indiana's tournament hopes fully in question. With little to no room for error, Saturday's contest at the Schottenstein Center is essentially a must-win for the Hoosiers.

As tip-off draws nearer, professional oddsmakers have released Indiana vs. Ohio State betting odds, and they aren't giving the Hoosiers the edge.

Hoosiers head to Columbus as underdogs against Ohio State

Oddsmakers are expecting a close game, but they are giving the edge to the home team. Ohio State is currently favored by 4.5 points over the Hoosiers, giving IU an underdog mentality heading into the biggest game of the season.

When it comes to the moneyline, Ohio State has odds of -192, while Indiana has odds of +160 to pull off the mild upset. The total, or over/under, is listed at 148.5.

It will be interesting to see if Ohio State senior forward Brandon Noel will suit up for the Buckeyes, as his presence gives OSU more depth and could alter the spread just a bit. He hasn't played since January 5 against Nebraska, but is currently listed as day-to-day with a foot injury.

Ohio State enters this pivotal matchup with an overall record of 19-11 and an 11-8 mark in Big Ten play. Lunardi has Ohio State safely in the tournament in his latest projection, but like Indiana, the Buckeyes can't afford much room for error either. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. ET in what could be a win-and-in scenario for Indiana.