D’Angelo Russell and the Ohio State Buckeyes have been blowing by ranked opponents of late, with the sensational freshman leading the charge. But Russell and the Buckeyes will have their credentials as legit conference contenders examined as they head on the road to face the towering Purdue Boilermakers.
Will Russell rise to the challenge and lead the Buckeyes to another big win? Find out with our complete preview below. Check out more big-time midweek college hoops action as we preview Georgia Tech vs. Duke.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Purdue Boilermakers Betting Preview
Where: Mackey Arena, Indiana
When: Wednesday, February 4, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Ohio State Buckeyes (-2.5) at Purdue Boilermakers (+2.5) — view all NBA lines
Betting on the Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are back in the top-25 after a very impressive week last week. The Buckeyes went 2-0 with double-digit wins over No. 23 Indiana (82-70) and No. 16 Maryland (80-56) at home. Ohio State has now won three in a row overall as it moved into a five-way tie for second in the Big Ten at 6-3.
[sc:NCAAB240banner ]Freshman D’Angelo Russell emphatically won his much-hyped matchup with Melo Trimble as he posted 18 points, 14 rebounds and six assists, against Maryland, while fellow freshman Jae’Sean Tate added 16 and eight. Tate is averaging 18 points and seven rebounds on 75 percent shooting in his last two games. Sophomore Marc Loving also added a career-high 19 to provide Russell with more help off the bench.
Head coach Thad Matta has found a lot of success playing a predominantly small-ball lineup in recent games. Look for the Buckeyes to continue spreading the floor with smaller perimeter threats which should cause mismatches against a Purdue team that prefers playing with at least one seven-footer at all times.
Ohio State also put up its best defensive performance of the season as it held the Terps to just 30 percent shooting and outrebounded them by 19. The Buckeyes already have a potent offense with Russell almost single-handedly running the show, but they will be that much more formidable if they can reproduce that type of defense consistently.
However, it remains to be seen whether they can play as well on either end on the road as they do at home. The Buckeyes have gone just 2-4 in five true road games and one neutral site game this season, and have gone 1-4-1 against the spread in those games.
Betting on the Purdue Boilermakers
The Purdue Boilermakers are making people stand up and take notice. The Boilermakers, who finished dead last in the conference last season, are up to second at 6-3 with three straight wins. Purdue’s last two home games have seen them claim big wins over two ranked teams in a row – No. 25 Iowa (67-63) and No. 22 Indiana (83-67).
Purdue has, for the most part, been a very well-balanced attack this season, with its top six rotation players averaging between nine and 11 points per game. However, junior guard Rapheal Davis stepped up big in those games against Iowa and Indiana with 24 and 19 points, respectively.
The Boilermakers’ multiple offensive options could turn out to be advantageous against a Buckeyes team that can often devolve into a one-man team quickly.
Purdue’s size also stands out as one of its main assets. The Boilermakers possess two legit seven-footers in AJ Hammons and Isaac Haas to protect the paint. Those big bodies should give them the edge over Ohio State on the glass. Purdue is ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten in rebounding at 39 per game.
Hammons (2.68 blocks per game, 21st in the country) and Haas will also be crucial in contesting the lightning quick drives of Russell and Tate. Hammons had a career high eight blocked shots and altered a couple more against Indiana’s equally talented backcourt of Yogi Ferrell and James Blackmon Jr.
Writer’s Prediction
Russell and the small-ball Buckeyes (-2.5) are too much for Purdue to handle, but the Boilermakers make it competitive all the way. Take Purdue to cover at home. Create a betting account now and earn big on the best college hoops action all season long.
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