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The No. 25 Pitt Panthers (6-1) face the Ohio State Buckeyes (5-1) Friday at the Schottenstein Center. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m. ET (Peacock). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Pitt vs. Ohio State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
Pitt squandered a 14-point lead and dropped its first game of the season Sunday, losing 81-75 to No. 17 Wisconsin as a 2.5-point road favorite as the Over 148.5 cashed. Senior G Ishmael Leggett had 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists for Pitt, but his efforts couldn’t prevent the team’s late-game collapse.
Ohio State earned its third consecutive win on Monday, cruising past the Green Bay Phooenix 102-69 while covering as a 25-point home favorite. The Over 154 cashed as the Buckeyes shot a sharp 55.9% (38-for-68) and forced 18 turnovers. G Bruce Thornton delivered an outstanding performance, racking up 25 points and 9 assists to fuel the lopsided victory.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll
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Pitt at Ohio State odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds. Lines last updated at 12:19 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pitt +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Ohio State -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Pitt +3.5 (-110) | Ohio State -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 147.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Pitt at Ohio State picks and predictions
Prediction
Ohio State 76, Pitt 70
Moneyline
PASS.
The Buckeyes (-160) will win at home on Friday afternoon but I’d rather take the better odds on the spread.
Against the spread
BET OHIO STATE -3.5 (-110).
I’m backing Ohio State to handle business in Columbus on Friday afternoon. While Pitt has looked solid, their lone real test resulted in a loss to Wisconsin, and this will be their first road game of the season. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, boast a signature win over the No. 19 Texas Longhorns and have dominated mid-major opponents, winning their last 3 games by an average of 42 points. At 5-1 ATS, Ohio State has covered in every victory, while Pitt is just 3-2 ATS in its last 5. OSU freshman John Mobley Jr.’s growing role (15 points per game) could be the difference in this matchup.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 147.5 (-115).
Pitt is 3-1-1 against the Under in its last 5 games, while Ohio State is 3-2 in that span. The Panthers have been solid defensively, allowing over 70 points only once and giving up an average of just 63 points per game. Ohio State has also limited scoring against quality opponents. Pitt’s top scorers, Leggett and Jaland Lowe, have been inefficient this season, particularly Lowe, who is shooting under 40%. With both teams boasting strong defenses, expect a lower-scoring game and the under to hit.
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