The college basketball season is back and Ohio State's Jake Diebler begins his tenure as full-time head coach against a top Texas team at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Both teams relied on explosive guards to power their offenses last season, and I expect much of the same in my Ohio State vs. Texas predictions and college basketball picks for Monday, November 4th.

My best choice
Over 146 (-110 at bet365)

My analysis

Even though both teams are bringing a new look to the floor this season, with the Ohio State Buckeyes having Jake Diebler as their full-time coach and the Texas Longhorns moving in via the transfer portal, neither team is likely to be fundamentally different.

Last season, both programs were among the top over bets in the power conferences, with the Buckeyes scoring in 22 of 36 games (61.1%) and Texas scoring in 20 of 34 games (58.8%). And both programs finished the year even better – the Buckeyes reached the over in 13 of their last 18 and the Longhorns in 15 of their last 21.

Diebler was the Buckeyes' interim coach for the final 11 of those games, and during that time, Ohio State averaged 77.9 points per game – an increase from its season average of 75.5. He also managed to bring back the Buckeyes' leading scorer from last season, Bruce Thornton.

Thornton scored 15.7 points per game last year and stopped playing isoball when Diebler took over, which is a big reason the offense began to flourish. Diebler also managed to bring in some key portal pieces, including Meechie Johnson Jr.

Johnson, who began his career at Ohio State, averaged double-digit points in his final two seasons at South Carolina. He and Thornton give the Buckeyes a talented backfield, which is a big reason Ohio State's offense is ranked No. 24 in KenPom's preseason rankings.

However, defense remains a question – ranked 39th by KenPom – and the Longhorns should be able to take advantage of it with their new additions.

Although last year's top scorers Max Abmas and Dylan Disu were no longer there, Rodney Terry brought in the perfect replacement. Guard Tramon Mark (Arkansas) and forward Arthur Kaluma (Kansas State) should fill their roles well.

And those weren't the only talented additions: Oregon State's Jordan Pope and Indiana State's Jayson Kent and Julian Larry give Terry multiple scorers he can rely on. These five all averaged double figures at their previous schools last season.

That depth should pose problems for an Ohio State rotation that rarely went deeper than seven last season.

With this neutral opener featuring several experienced scorers, there should be enough points for the over.

Same game between Texas and Ohio State

Over 145.5

Meechie Johnson Jr. Over 9.5 points

Tramon Mark over 12.5 points

It's rare for a rotating player to transfer from one program only to return a few seasons later after establishing himself as a star scorer at another program. But that's exactly what Johnson is doing, which shows how much he respects Diebler, the coach who originally brought him to Columbus.

Johnson scored 14.1 points per game for the Gamecocks last season and there is no reason to believe his role will be diminished in Columbus. The senior scored more than 10 points (66.7%) in 22 of 33 games last season.

Another transfer who will shine on the other side of the pitch is Tramon Mark. The former Houston and Arkansas guard scored 16.2 points with the Razorbacks last season and scored at least 13 points (61.2%) in 19 of 31 games.

With Abmas gone, there is a big scoring role in Terry's backcourt, and Mark is the perfect player to fill it.

Learn how to place a bet in the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.

Texas vs Ohio State odds

Texas vs Ohio State live odds

Texas vs. Ohio State opening odds

• Spread: Texas -3 | Ohio State +3
• Money line: Texas -155 | Ohio State +130
• Over/Under: Over 146 | Under 146

Odds courtesy of bet365

Things to know about the Texas vs. Ohio State betting trend

Texas has reached the over total in 15 of its last 21 games (+8.40 units / 36% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Texas vs. Ohio State.

Here's how to watch Texas vs. Ohio State

Key injuries between Texas and Ohio State

Pages on this topic