The Northwestern Wildcats (8-4, 1-2 Big Ten) and No. 12 Ohio State Buckeyes (9-3, 3-1) clash Sunday for a Big Ten showdown in Columbus, Ohio. Tip-off from Value City Arena is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Northwestern vs. Ohio State odds and lines and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Northwestern is coming off back-to-back home losses and is visiting Columbus to mark its first road game since Dec. 5. The Wildcats have logged January losses to Michigan State and Penn State, both of which were decided by two or fewer possessions. Northwestern is 1-4 in games that have been decided by that close of a margin this season.
The Buckeyes faltered in a 67-51 loss at Indiana Thursday. Ohio State shot just 30.8% from the floor in having a five-game win streak snapped. OSU is 6-0 at home this season. Among those half-dozen wins is a 71-66 conquest of current No. 2 Duke Nov. 30.
Northwestern at Ohio State odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Northwestern +270 (bet $100 to win $270) | Ohio State -360 (bet $360 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Northwestern +7.5 (-108) | Ohio State -7.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 139.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Northwestern at Ohio State odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Ohio State 75, Northwestern 67
Money line
PASS.
Against the spread
The favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings between OSU and NU and the Buckeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following an ATS loss.
Ohio State is back at home where it has registered impressive wins over Duke and Wisconsin. The Buckeyes are on a solid trend line overall, and they have an edge in athleticism in this one.
This game is a tough ask for a Wildcat team playing its first road game in over a month. NU takes care of the basketball, but look for OSU’s 3-point shooting to be enough of a difference-maker…just barely. BACK THE BUCKEYES -7.5 (-112).
Over/Under
OSU plays a slow-down style, but the Over is 8-4 across the Buckeyes’ 12 games and it’s 6-1 in the Ohio State’s last seven games as a favorite.
Buckeye three-pointers and trips to the foul line will add up to a cushion here, and this is likely the top play in this contest: TAKE THE OVER 139.5 (-115).
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