Michigan Wolverine at Ohio State Buckeyes

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Ohio State( -16)
Game Total Line: (130)
(wagering lines available at 5Dimes)

The Michigan Wolverines will try and extend their winning streak to three in the Big Ten this Thursday night when they tangle with the undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena in Columbus. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

Michigan’s 61-57 victory over in-state rival Michigan State last Thursday night as an 11-point road underdog snapped a six-game losing streak dating back to Jan.5 The Wolverines followed this up with an 87-73 win over Iowa as a 7 ½-point home favorite this past Saturday. They are now 13-9 straight-up (10-7 against the spread) for the year and 3-6 SU in conference play.

Sophomore guard Darius Morris leads the team with 15.4 points and 7.2 assist per game, while freshman guard Tim Hardaway Jr. is averaging 11.8 points a game. Junior guard-forward Zack Novak is the team’s leading rebounder with six per game and third in scoring with 9.9 points a game.

The Wolverines are ranked near the bottom of Division I schools in both scoring, with an average of just 67 points a game and rebounds with an average of 33.They are shooting 44.2 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from three-point range. Michigan is converting on 70.9 percent of its attempts from the free-throw line.

There is little doubt that Ohio State is currently the best team in the country especially after its 87-64 romp over No.10 Purdue on Jan.25 as a 7 ½-point home favorite. The Buckeyes suffered a bit of a scare in their 58-57 victory over Northwestern as a 10 ½-point road favorite this past Saturday, but they remained perfect on the year at 22-0 SU and 9-0 SU in the Big Ten. They have had some trouble covering as a favorite this season as they are just 10-9 against the spread

Freshman forward Jared Sullinger continues to capture the public’s attention as one of the best young players in the country, but all the accolades are justified. He is the team’s leading scorer with an average of 18 points a game and is shooting 57.7 percent from the floor. He is also the Buckeye’s top rebounder with an average of 9.9 boards a game.

The talent on this team does not end with Sullinger. Junior guard William Buford, who is averaging 13.5 points and shooting 43.4 percent from three-point range and senior guard-forward David Lighty, who is averaging 12.4 points and 3.5 assists a game have also had a huge hand in the Buckeyes’ success this season.

Ohio State is averaging 78 points a game. It is shooting an incredible 50 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from three-point range. The only area of concern has been under the boards as this team is actually ranked 175th in the nation in rebounds with an average of 35 a game.

Michigan is 1-3 ATS in its last four road games and is 2-3 ATS in its last five games overall. The total has gone ‘over’ in five of its last six games.

Ohio State is 3-2 ATS in its last five games at home and is 3-1 ATS in its last four games overall. The total has gone ‘over’ in four of its last six games.

Head-to-head, the Buckeyes have won five of the last six games SU, but the Wolverines are 4-2 ATS. The total has gone ‘over’ in three of the last four meetings. Earlier this season Ohio State beat Michigan 68-64 as an 11-point road favorite and the total went ‘over’ the 126.5 point line.

Against the Spread Game Pick

This time around the Buckeyes should open as a high double-digit favorite. The value in this game remains with Michigan to cover the spread given Ohio State’s performance ATS and the fact that the average margin of victory in the last four games between these two teams has been less than six points.
Take the Michigan +16 at 5Dimes and get reduced juice on game day!