The Ohio State Buckeyes (13-18) battle the Michigan State Spartans (19-11) Friday in the 3rd round of the Big Ten Tournament. Tip from the United Center in Chicago is set for 2:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Ohio State vs. Michigan State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
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The Buckeyes took down the 12th-seeded Wisconsin Badgers 65-57 Tuesday, covering as a 1.5-point favorite. They then took down the 5th-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes 73-69, covering as a 4-point underdog Wednesday.
Ohio State has covered its last 5 games yet is just 11-20 against the spread (ATS) on the season. It lost to Michigan State 62-41 at home on Feb. 12 and 84-78 on the road March 4, going 1-1 ATS and 1-1 O/U against the Spartans.
The 4th-seeded Spartans are just 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games and are just 2-3 ATS in their last 5 games. However, they have won 5 of their last 7 straight up. Michigan State is 15-15 ATS on the season and 16-14 O/U.
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Ohio State vs. Michigan State odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:16 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Off the board
- Against the spread (ATS): Ohio State +3.5 (-105) | Michigan State -3.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 139.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Ohio State vs. Michigan State picks and predictions
Prediction
Michigan State 70, Ohio State 67
Moneyline
Not available. March is about getting hot, and Ohio State is just that. Betting it as an underdog could work, but on its 3rd game in 3 days, I would take the spread here to be safe.
Against the spread
LEAN OHIO STATE +3.5 (-105).
The Spartans haven’t consistently covered as of late. They are just 4-7 ATS on the road and 10-9 ATS in conference play.
The latter might be better than Ohio State, but the Buckeyes have been rolling as of late and should be able to keep that heat alive. Ohio State is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games and 4-1 straight up despite being an underdog in 3 of them.
Ohio State had a 9-game losing streak in conference play, but did beat Cincinnati and Texas Tech early in the season and lost to Duke by 9. The talent is there, and it is starting to shine.
Back the hot team. Take OHIO STATE +3.5 (-105).
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Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 139.5 (-115).
The Buckeyes have been able to keep things close because of their defense, holding Iowa to 69 and Wisconsin to 57. They have gone Under in both tournament games.
They are 4-6-2 O/U in their last 12 games. They are also 9-13 O/U in conference play. Michigan State, on the other hand, is 10-9 O/U in conference play.
Given how dominant Ohio State has looked recently and its style of play, back the UNDER 139.5 (-115).
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