Michigan St. vs. Ohio St. Prediction
Who has the edge when two of the Big Ten’s best meet today at Noon ET, with No. 14 Ohio State playing host to No. 8 Michigan State.
605 Michigan State vs. 606 Ohio State
Saturday, January 5, 2019
Noon ET – Value City Arena
TV: FOX
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Michigan State is favored on the road, as the Spartans are getting odds of -2 points against Ohio State. The over/under total for the game is listed at 146.5 points. The public betting currently has 62 percent going on the Spartans on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Spartans on a tear
Michigan State is rolling right now. The Spartans are coming off an 81-55 win over Northwestern on Wednesday for their seventh straight win. MSU is 6-1 against the spread in this win streak and the last four wins have been by at least 21 points. The Spartans are 12-2 on the season, 3-0 in the Big Ten, 10-4 against the spread and 7-6-1 with the over.
MSU comes into this game with a top-10 offense. The Spartans average 87.1 points per game while shooting 50.7 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from the arc. They also are fourth in the nation in rebounding at 44.2 per game. Defensively, the Spartans are giving up 67.4 points per game while holding opponents to just 36.9 percent shooting. Joshua Langford could be out again today with an ankle injury. He missed the win over Northwestern. He averages 15 points per game this year. Cassius Winston is leading the team with 17.1 points and 7.8 assists per game.
Ohio State on win streak
The Buckeyes come into today’s game on a six-game win streak following an 82-64 win over High Point on Dec. 29. Ohio State is just 3-3 against the spread in this 6-game win streak. Ohio State is now 12-1 on the season, 2-0 in the Big Ten, 7-6 against the spread and 7-5-1 with the over.
Ohio State is solid on defense, allowing just 61.9 points per game while opponents are shooting just 38.2 percent from the field and 29.3 percent from the arc. Offensively, OSU is putting up 78.0 points per game while shooting 48 percent from the floor. Kaleb Wesson is leading the team this season with 16.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while C.J. Jackson is adding 13.6 points per contest.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Michigan State
Michigan State is just 2-6-1 against the spread in their last 9 Saturday games, but 6-0 ATS in their last six games following a win of more than 20 points.
Ohio State
Ohio State is just 9-20 ATS in their last 29 Saturday games and 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games against a winning team.
Prediction:
The Buckeyes have been off for over a week and I think that will be a problem against Michigan State, which got to shake off the holiday rust a few days ago. The Spartans have been able to play games at a fast tempo that teams haven’t had an answer for. I think the Buckeyes will struggle with this as well today. Ohio State isn’t quite as tested as Michigan State and the Spartans have learned to be able to play the game at their pace.
College Basketball Prediction: Michigan State -2