Penn State vs. Ohio State Pick
Is No. 13 Ohio State going to be able to pick up a win at home by double digits when the Buckeyes host Penn State tonight at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Ohio State is the favorite in this game, as the Buckeyes are getting odds of -9.5 points against Penn State. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 139 points. Tonight’s game is set to take place from Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio and will air live on the Big Ten Network.
Ohio State has been the big surprise in the Big Ten this season, starting conference play 9-0. Ohio State comes into tonight having won eight straight as well and is 18-4 on the season with an 11-9 record against the spread. The Buckeyes are averaging 77.7 points per game on the year while allowing 65.9 per contest. Keita Bates-Diop is leading Ohio State with 19.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game while C.J. Jackson is adding 13.1 points and 4.4 assists per contest.
Penn State has lost two straight coming into tonight. The Nittany Lions are 13-8 overall, 3-5 in the Big Ten and 7-9-1 against the spread. Penn State is averaging 76.9 points per game on offense this year while allowing 67.3 per contest. Tony Carr is leading the Lions with 18.9 points and 4.8 assists per game while Lamar Stevens is adding 15.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest.
Bet on Penn State vs. Ohio State
Ohio State has won five straight meetings with Penn State, covering the spread in four of the five wins. Penn State has failed to cover in its last three games, suffering losses at Northwestern, Indiana and Maryland. Even in Penn State’s wins, the games have been somewhat competitive against lesser teams. Ohio State isn’t an offense that will necessarily put up a big number, but its defense at home can lead the way tonight. OSU is allowing just 64 points per game at home and only 57.6 per game over its last five contests overall. The public betting is backing Ohio State tonight and I think the Buckeyes will do enough to cover.
CBB DAILY PREDICTION: OHIO STATE -9.5