At this point of the college basketball season, there are only a handful of undefeated teams. Arizona, Michigan State, and Iowa State have all yet to be beaten, and are at the top of the AP Poll. Miami-Ohio is 15-0, staying hot after an incredible 2024-2025 season. Vanderbilt, with former JMU coach Mark Byington, are ranked 11th and are still undefeated. The only other remaining unbeaten team is the Nebraska Cornhuskers, one of the best stories in college basketball. Coming off a massive win against Michigan State, will the Huskers stay perfect on Monday night against Ohio State?

The betting line for Monday night's Big Ten clash in Columbus raises some eyebrows. 10-3 Ohio State is laying 2.5 points against 14-0 Nebraska, a ranked squad riding the nation's longest winning streak. This spread looks fishy—oddsmakers making an unranked home team the betting favorite versus an undefeated visitor screams the sharpest line of the day on the entire CBB slate. Public money will chase Nebraska's fairy-tale run (first unbeaten non-con start since 1928-29), but the line's stubborn refusal to move signals sharp action pounding Ohio State early. 

History backs the Buckeyes owning this matchup. Ohio State has won six of the last 10 head-to-heads overall and taken two of the past three meetings, including a dominant home win in recent seasons. Value City Arena turns hostile in conference play—OSU boasts a stout home record under Jake Diebler, forcing turnovers and controlling tempo against physical Big Ten foes.

Then there's the proven betting angle: unranked favorites against ranked opponents represent one of college basketball's most bankable systems. Home unranked teams in these spots have covered at elite clips (often north of 55-60% ATS long-term), as the market overinflates ranked road teams while undervaluing motivated home sides. Here, Nebraska's perfect mark draws casual tickets, but Ohio State's battle-tested resume gets disrespected.

Additional edges pile up. Nebraska's dream run includes several close calls and a softish road slate thus far (limited true away tests). Facing Ohio State's athletic guards and rim protection in a raucous environment could finally snap the streak. The Buckeyes rank top-60 in defensive efficiency, excelling at contesting threes—prime to slow Nebraska's hot shooting. Meanwhile, OSU's offense flows at home (85+ PPG), exploiting transition against a Cornhuskers D that's bent but not broken lesser teams.

Bruce Thornton is one of the best players in the country, and he deserves more respect. Averaging over 20 PPG, expect him to carry the Buckeyes to victory on Monday night. Fade the undefeated hype on the Huskers—this feels like a classic letdown spot for Nebraska on a quick turnaround. Hammer Ohio State -2.5 confidently; the Buckeyes pull away late for a big-time cover.