The No. 16 Ohio State Buckeyes (14-6, 7-4 Big Ten) visit the Crisler Center Saturday to take on the Michigan Wolverines (13-9, 7-5). Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Ohio State vs. Michigan odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Buckeyes are coming off a 2-point road loss (66-64) to Rutgers, failing to cover as 3.5-point favorites.
They had covered 4 straight up to that point and are 10-10 against the spread (ATS) on the season. The Buckeyes are led by F E.J. Liddell, who averages 19.7 points per game (PPG). Ohio State is 3-5 on the road.
The Wolverines are 8-2 at home, yet just 9-13 ATS this season. The Wolverines are led by 7-foot-1 C Hunter Dickinson, who is averaging 18.3 points per game.
They’re coming off a huge home win over No. 3 Purdue, shocking the Boilermakers 82-58 as 3-point underdogs Thursday. However, the Wolverines have covered just 2 of their last 6.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Ohio State at Michigan 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 11:03 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Ohio State +122 (bet $100 to win $122) | Michigan -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Ohio State +2.5 (-112) | Michigan -2.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 141.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Ohio State at Michigan odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Michigan 75, Ohio State 71
Money line
LEAN to MICHIGAN (-150).
The Wolverines looked great against the Boilermakers.
The Buckeyes usually have F Zed Key down in the paint, but he stands just 6-foot-8 and may not be able to contain the size of Dickinson. This game should be about the Buckeyes’ struggles on the road.
They’re the No. 16 team in the country, yet they’re 3-5 on the road. They lost to Rutgers by 2 and Purdue by 3 in their last two road games. They also lost to Indiana and Wisconsin by double figures on the road in their last 10 games.
That’s a tough resume to back. I’d pay the extra price to get the WOLVERINES (-150) outright here.
Against the spread
PASS.
The Buckeyes have lost two straight one-score games, and this should be a close, hard-fought battle. The expensive Michigan money line is the better play on a team-specific wager.
Over/Under
BET OVER 141.5 (-107).
If there’s one team both sides are good at, it’s going Over the projected total.
The Buckeyes are 13-7 O/U this season, while the Wolverines are 13-9. Those trends continue in conference play as the Wolverines are a Big Ten-best 9-3 O/U.
The Buckeyes, 7-4 O/U in Big Ten action, have gone Over in 3 of their last 4, while Michigan has gone Over in 6 of its last 8.
With both teams having capable threats inside where teams typically get high-percentage shots, the Over is the best play in this rivalry game.
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