Youngstown State vs. Ohio State Prediction
Ohio State has locked down on defense this season en route to a 9-1 start. Can the 15th-ranked Buckeyes continue their stellar work on the defensive end to keep today’s score under the number at home versus the Youngstown State Penguins?
Game Snapshot
605 Youngstown Penguins at 606 Ohio State Buckeyes
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Value City Arena at 7PM ET
TV: BTN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Buckeyes are a 27.5-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is set at 144.5 points. As of Tuesday morning, 67 percent of public bets are coming in on host Ohio State. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Penguins snap four-game skid
Youngstown State improved to 4-8 on the season and ended a four-game losing skid Saturday with a 58-48 win at Binghamton. Darius Quisenberry led the Penguins with 14 points on 4-of-8 shooting plus 4-of-4 at the free throw line. Garrett Covington added 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. Youngstown State led 26-18 at halftime and held on after the break. The Penguins shot only 21-of-57 from the floor, but held the hosts to an even worse 16-of-49.
Buckeyes hold off Bucknell
Ohio State withstood a comeback attempt by visiting Bucknell Saturday as it won 73-71 to improve to 9-1 on the season. Kaleb Wesson paced the Buckeyes with 22 points on 6-of-11 shooting and 9-of-10 at the free throw line. He also had 10 rebounds and four assists. Keyshawn Woods contributed 13 points off the bench plus two rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes. C.J. Jackson added 10 points, eight boards and six dimes. Ohio State shot 27-of-56 from the floor including 6-of-15 on 3-point attempts and 13-of-18 at the charity stripe.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Youngstown State
The Penguins are 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 Tuesday games. The over is 4-1 in the last five YSU games versus a team with a winning percentage over .600.
Ohio State
The under is 5-1 in the last six Buckeyes games on Tuesdays. The over is 5-2-1 in the last eight OSU home games.
Prediction:
Ohio State is ranked 22nd nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency and the Penguins most recently struggled to score at Binghamton. I can’t imagine it will be much easier here. While Youngstown State struggles defensively, I think its offensive struggles will keep this total under and the Buckeyes will likely take the foot off the pedal in the second half.
NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: YOUNGSTOWN STATE/OHIO STATE UNDER 144.5