The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-2, 1-0 Big Ten) and the No. 23 Ohio State Buckeyes (6-2, 0-0) meet Thursday at Value City Arena in Columbus. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Rutgers vs. Ohio State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
The Scarlet Knights pulled off a 63-48 upset of visiting Indiana last time out on Saturday in Piscataway, cashing for the 3rd time in the past 4 games. The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 games and Rutgers has allowed 49 or fewer points in 3 of the past 4, too.
The Buckeyes stomped St. Francis (PA) last time out by a 96-59 count, covering a 29-point number. It took out a little frustration and worked out some kinks before the conference slate after an 81-72 loss to Duke in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
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Rutgers at Ohio State odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:03 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rutgers +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Ohio State -260 (bet $260 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rutgers +5.5 (-105) | Ohio State -5.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 136.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Rutgers at Ohio State picks and predictions
Prediction
Ohio State 69, Rutgers 64
Moneyline
The odds on Ohio State (-260) are too steep. Betting more than 2 times your potential return isn’t a good bet. PASS.
Against the spread
RUTGERS +5.5 (-105) will be playing in its first true road game of the season. It has left campus just once, and that resulted in a 72-66 loss to Temple Nov. 18 on a neutral court at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
While it’s unknown how Rutgers will perform in an actual road game, what is known is that this is one of the better defensive teams in the country. The Scarlet Knights are No. 1 against the 3-pointer, holding the opposition to just 20.5% on triples while limiting teams to 35.4% overall from the floor (7th) and 54.1 PPG (5th).
Over/Under
UNDER 136.5 (-110) is the lean, and it’s the defense of Rutgers driving that train.
Rutgers has held teams to 49 or fewer points in 3 of the past 4 outings. Ohio State likes to get out and run, and it has hit the Over in 3 in a row. So go lightly here, as it’s up-tempo vs. defense, and it will be a tug of war all night in C-Bus.
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