The No. 14 Ohio State Buckeyes will begin conference play at home and against a national powerhouse No. 8 Michigan State Wolverines. Rankings and conference aside, a showdown between these two schools no matter the sport is always going to be interesting. Read on for a preview of the next chapter in the history of this great basketball rivalry.
The Buckeyes are +10,000 to win the national title, while the Spartans are priced +2,400 to take home the crown.
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Betting Preview for the Michigan State Spartans vs Ohio State Buckeyes College Basketball Game on January 25, 2019
Where: Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center, Columbus
When: Saturday, January 5, 2019, 12:00 PM ET
Line: Michigan State Spartans (odds) vs Ohio State Buckeyes (odds) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Michigan State Spartans (11-2 Overall / 2-0 Conference)
As of this writing, the Spartans have a game ahead against the Northwestern Wildcats at home on Wednesday before taking on the Buckeyes. But regardless of what transpires in that contest (save for an injury), junior guard Cassius Winston is going to attract attention in Columbus. Winston has been fantastic for the Spartans so far this season. He is averaging 17.5 points and 7.5 assists while also shooting 45.0 percent from deep. His ability to stretch the floor and look for open teammates have been critical to the success of Michigan State, which is No. 1 in the nation with 21.4 assists per game. The Spartans are also shooting a deadly 50.2 percent from the floor and 40.7 from behind the arc, 11th and eighth in the nation, respectively. Ohio State’s defense presents a tough challenge for Michigan State, but the Spartans have the superior rebounding and a selfless style to aid them in this game.
The Spartans are 7-3 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 meetings with Ohio State.
Betting on the Ohio State Buckeyes (12-1 Overall / 2-0 Conference)
The Buckeyes are going streaking. They have extended their winning streak to six games last Monday by taking down the High Point Panthers at home, 82-64. Guard C. J. Jackson paced Ohio State with 20 points on a cool 7-for-11 shooting from the field with three 3-pointers, three assists, and two steals. The Buckeyes’ leading scorer. Kaleb Wesson, meanwhile, had 17 points on an efficient 7-for-12 shooting. Wesson averages 16.5 points per game, while Jackson is right behind him with 13.6. However, the Buckeyes are more than just a two-man team because of their depth. They have seven guys on the roster who put up at least seven points per contest. Also. On defense, Ohio State are among the best in challenging its opponents’ shots. Opposing teams are shooting just 38.2 percent against the Buckeyes this season.
The over is 3-1 in Ohio State’s last four home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Ohio State wins, 79-73.
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