The Ohio State Buckeyes (12-5) travel to University Park, Pa., for a Saturday noon contest against the Penn State Nittany Lions (12-5) at the Bryce Jordan Center.
We analyze the Ohio State-Penn State odds and betting lines, with college basketball betting advice and tips around this matchup.
Ohio State at Penn State: Three things you need to know
1. Some of Ohio State’s shakiest games of the season are up close in the rear-view mirror. Games against Southeast Missouri State (a Dec. 17 win), Wisconsin (Jan. 3 loss), Maryland (Jan. 7 loss) and Indiana (Jan. 11) figure as four of OSU’s worst five games of the season. That run of mediocrity comes on the heels of seven tremendous games beginning on Nov. 13 against Villanova and ending on Dec. 7 against? … Penn State. Since drilling the Nittany Lions, 106-74, that day, the Buckeyes have flattened out on defense and scuffled on offense.
2. Penn State is also down. The Lions head into Saturday’s contest on a three-game losing streak. Over the three losses, PSU shot 37% from the floor while posting a minus-9 in average rebounding margin.
3. Ohio State is expected to get a couple guards back after serving team suspensions. Duane Washington and Luther Muhammad missed OSU’s game versus Nebraska on Tuesday. They also were held to limited minutes the prior game — so perhaps don’t expect full minutes in their Saturday return. But the pair combined for 32 points the last time the Buckeyes played the Nittany Lions.
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Ohio State at Penn State: Odds, betting lines and picks
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Ohio State 71, Penn State 66
Moneyline (ML)
Not listed.
Against the Spread (ATS)
The Buckeyes are 0-5 against the spread over their last five games. They are 1-3 ATS on the road. Over its last three road contests, OSU has been boat-raced with the Bucks trailing throughout and failing to mount a significant run.
All that has served to knock down the price to a nice spot. OHIO STATE -1.5 is worth a play, perhaps after waiting until closer to tip-off. You may be getting a point by then.
Over/Under (O/U)
The under is: 4-1 over OSU’s last five games … 3-1 over the Buckeyes’ road tilts … . The UNDER 138.5 -121. The lean here is the under but not at -121.
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