Indiana vs. Ohio State Pick
Which struggling Big Ten team will grab a win today when Ohio State plays host to Indiana at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Ohio State is the slight favorite in the game, as the Buckeyes are getting odds of -2.5 points against the Hoosiers. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 147 points. These two haven’t met this season, but the home team has won and covered the spread in the last four meetings.
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After losing eight of its last 10, Indiana is now 16-14 on the season and 6-11 in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers most recent loss was an 86-75 defeat at Purdue during the week. Indiana is 12-14-2 against the spread on the season and just 3-7-2 ATS away from home. IU is putting up 79.9 points per game on offense while allowing 72.7 on defense. However, on the road IU averages only 70.2 on offense and gives up 77.9 on defense. James Blackmon Jr. is leading the team with 16.8 points per game while Robert Johnson and Thomas Bryant each chip in with 12.8 per game.
Ohio State has beaten Wisconsin and Penn State in back-to-back games to improve to 17-13 on the season and 7-10 in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes are now 11-17 against the spread on the season after covering in both games as well. OSU puts up 72.7 points per game on offense this season while allowing just 69 on defense. When at home, the Buckeyes really clamp down, giving up just 64.7 points per game. Jae’Sean Tate is leading the team with 14 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while Marc Loving is adding 12.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
On paper, I like Ohio State. The Buckeyes are at home and playing better basketball right now. However, I am somewhat concerned that they are favored. Ohio State has failed to cover in their last three as a favorite. Still, the spread is so small that this game basically comes down to winning and losing. The Buckeyes have the defense to neutralize this IU offense, which struggles on the road.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL DAILY PREDICTION: OHIO STATE -2.5