The Big Ten tournament has been delivering the thrills, big time, and it’s just getting started. Michigan survived a serious scare with a final-seconds win over Illinois, while Ohio State rallied from a 18-point second half deficit to beat an excellent Nebraska team.
Now the two will meet in an Big Ten semifinal that will be huge for both teams’ March Madness seeding. Read on for everything you need to know to bet this big NCAA basketball match up.
[sc:MarchMadness ]Michigan Wolverines vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
When: Saturday, March 15, 1:40 PM ET
Betting on the Ohio State Buckeyes
Aaron Craft didn’t have a massive score line (2-8, 6 points), but he was a force to be reckoned with in Ohio State’s dramatic win over Nebraska on Friday. Craft forced turnover after turnover and hit a huge shot late to help put away a Nebraska team that ran out of gas late.
The Buckeyes as a team did not shoot well against Nebraska, particularly from behind the arc, where they were 4 of 18 for an abysmal 22%. Still, Craft and company played tighter and tighter team defense down the stretch, even forcing the Cornhuskers to take an inbounding violation late in the game. The win broke a two game losing streak for Ohio State.
The Buckeyes have played in the Big Ten championship game for five straight years, but will in tough against Michigan in the semifinal. Ohio State lost 70-60 at home to the Wolverines in their only meeting this season, in a game in which they shot 15% from downtown on 3 of 20 from behind the arc.
Betting on the Michigan Wolverines
After the Villanova Wildcats were upset by Seton Hall on Thursday, the door may be open for Michigan to claim an all-important No. 1 seed in March Madness. To earn that spot, the Wolverines will need to get by the Buckeyes and then win the Big Ten championship.
Nik Stauskas and the Wolverines will need to play better than they did against Illinois if they hope to top Ohio State. Stauskas put up 19 against the Illini, but hit just 4 of 12 field goals, and 2 of 10 for three. The Wolverines other stars Glenn Robinson III and Caris LeVert combined for 28, but it was Jordan Morgan–the man who missed a tip in to win the championship last season–who put home the winning bucket against Illinois.
This game could come down to three-point shooting, as the Wolverines are 8-0 when dropping at least ten threes in a game.
Prediction
The Buckeyes will make it tough for the Wolverines, but Stauskas, LeVert and Robinson III will simply outshoot Ohio State to end their run of Big Ten championship appearances.
The college basketball action is just getting started. Bet on March Madness all month long at Top Bet, America’s best online sportsbook.
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