The Ball State Cardinals (4-13, 0-5 MAC) are 5.5-point underdogs as they try to turn around a four-game losing streak when they host the Ohio Bobcats (10-8, 4-2 MAC) on Friday, January 16, 2026 at John E. Worthen Arena. The game airs at 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. The matchup’s over/under is 147.5.
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Ohio Cover -5.5 vs Ball State -108
Ohio vs. Ball State betting lines
- Ohio moneyline odds to win: -235
- Ball State moneyline odds to win: +193
- Spread: Ohio (-5.5)
- Total: 147.5
Ohio statistics, trends and more
As the away team
- Ohio sports a better record against the spread when playing at home (4-4-0) than it does in road games (2-3-0).
- Looking at over/unders, the Bobcats hit the over less consistently in home games, as they’ve exceeded the total four times in eight opportunities this season (50%). In road games, they have hit the over three times in five opportunities (60%).
- As a moneyline favorite, Ohio has won a lower percentage of its games at home (.714) compared to away games (1.000).
Recent trends
- The Bobcats’ offense has been improved over their last 10 games, putting up 83.5 points per contest compared to the 78.4 they’ve averaged this year.
- Ohio has been slightly better on the defensive end of the floor of late, allowing 74.2 points per game over its last 10 outings compared to the 77.2 it has surrendered per game this season.
- The Bobcats’ last 10 contests have seen them make 7.8 three-pointers per game while shooting 34.1% from beyond the arc. Both numbers are up from their 2025-26 averages of 6.9 makes and 31.0%.
Ohio betting records this season
- ATS Record: 7-9-0 (Home: 4-4-0; Away: 2-3-0)
- ATS Record When Favored by 5.5+: 2-1-0 (As Favorite: 5-4-0; As Underdog: 2-5-0)
- O-U-P: 9-7-0 (Home: 4-4-0; Away: 3-2-0)
- Record When Moneyline Favorite: 7-2 (Home: 5-2; Away: 2-0)
- Record When Moneyline Underdog: 1-6 (Home: 0-1; Away: 0-3)
| Field Goal % | Opp. Field Goal % | Rebounds | Opp. Rebounds | Assists | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47.7 (69th in nation) | 45.3 (267th) | 30.4 (285th) | 32.4 (254th) | 13.9 (207th) | 11.4 (180th) |
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Ball State statistics, trends and more
As the home team
- Ball State’s winning percentage against the spread at home is .400 (2-3-0). On the road, it is .375 (3-5-0).
- Looking at the over/under, Cardinals games have gone over one of five times at home (20%), and three of eight away (37.5%).
- The Cardinals, as moneyline underdogs, have won the same percentage of games at home (0-2) as away (0-7) this year.
Recent trends
- The Cardinals are putting up 71.8 points per contest over their previous 10 games, which is 3.8 more than their average for the season (68.0).
- Over its previous 10 games, Ball State is surrendering 72.7 points per game, 1.9 more points than its season average (70.8).
- The Cardinals are making 7.4 three-pointers per game with a 32.9% three-point percentage in their previous 10 games, compared to their season averages of 7.1 and 31.1%.
Ball State betting records this season
- ATS Record: 6-9-0 (Home: 2-3-0; Away: 3-5-0)
- ATS Record When Underdog by 5.5+: 4-5-0 (As Favorite: 1-3-0; As Underdog: 5-6-0)
- O-U-P: 6-9-0 (Home: 1-4-0; Away: 3-5-0)
- Record When Moneyline Favorite: 1-3 (Home: 1-2; Away: 0-1)
- Record When Moneyline Underdog: 1-10 (Home: 0-2; Away: 0-7)
| Field Goal % | Opp. Field Goal % | Rebounds | Opp. Rebounds | Assists | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42.2 (321st in nation) | 45.5 (276th) | 27.4 (351st) | 32.5 (259th) | 12.9 (271st) | 10.0 (63rd) |
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