[gambcom-standard rankid=”4141″ ]
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-3, 0-0 Big Ten) and the Ohio State Buckeyes (5-3, 0-1) meet Saturday at Schottenstein Center in Columbus. Tip-off is set for noon ET (FS1). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Rutgers vs. Ohio State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
Rutgers is looking to bounce back after consecutive losses to 12th-ranked Alabama (Nov. 27) and No. 24 Texas A&M (Nov. 30) in Las Vegas, although the Scarlet Knights covered the spread in each loss. The Over is 6-1 in the past 7 games for the Scarlet Knights, scoring at least 74 points in 7 of their 8 games. Defensively, they’ve allowed 79 or more points in each of the past 4 outings.
Ohio State was hammered 83-59 at Maryland Wednesday in its Big Ten opener, coming on the heels of a disappointing 91-90 overtime home loss to 19th-ranked Pitt Nov. 29. The Buckeyes have failed to cover in consecutive games for the first time this season. The Under (146.5) cashed at Maryland, mainly due to Ohio State’s low score, halting a 3-0 Over run for the Buckeyes.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Rutgers 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 8:52 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rutgers +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Ohio State -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Rutgers +4.5 (-110) | Ohio State -4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 153.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”4132″ ]
Rutgers at Ohio State picks and predictions
Prediction
Ohio State 81, Rutgers 77
Moneyline
There is no way you can back Ohio State (-200) straight up, risking 2 times the potential return. That’s too much risk for not enough reward.
PASS, although if you were to include the Buckeyes in a multi-leg parlay, which would mitigate the risk somewhat and be quite OK.
Against the spread
BACK RUTGERS +4.5 (-105). Prior to Ohio State’s loss at Maryland, we probably would have gone the other way and backed the Buckeyes here. However, they showed in College Park that they simply cannot be trusted.
While the Scarlet Knights lost to ranked teams in Alabama and Texas A&M, they were at least competitive in both games. It’s not hard to see Rutgers beating Ohio State, winning its conference opener outright.
Over/Under
OVER 153.5 (-115) is a solid play in this Big Ten matinee battle.
The Over is on a roll for Rutgers, going 3-0 in the past 3 games, while hitting 6 of the past 7 outings. While this Rutgers team is decent offensively, going for 81.5 PPG, it isn’t a very good shooting team. But, it is even worse defensively, allowing 75.0 PPG, with teams hitting 33.7% from behind the 3-point line.
The Buckeyes hit 42.4% from downtown, among the best marks in the nation, so that will be the area to watch since Rutgers struggles so much in that department. Ohio State is normally very good defensively, so don’t get carried away betting the Over. It has scored 90 or more points in 3 of the past 4 games, though.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
[gambcom-standard rankid=”6305″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Duke / Florida / Florida State / Georgia / Iowa / Kentucky / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / UCLA / USC / Washington / Wisconsin / Recruiting / Transfer portal / College Football Playoffs / College Sports Wire / High School
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]
