In a matchup fit for the College Football Playoff, the Georgia Bulldogs and the Ohio State Buckeyes battle on the hardwood Tuesday night at the 2024 National Invitation Tournament, with a berth in the NIT Final Four on the line.
It’s been tight sledding for both schools, as neither the Bulldogs nor Buckeyes have won by double digits in their first two games of the tourney.
Ohio State is an 8.5-point favorite in the March Madness odds when these teams tip off at Value City Arena. Read below for my free March Madness picks for Georgia vs. Ohio State and best bet for Tuesday, March 26.
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Georgia vs Ohio State best odds
Georgia vs Ohio State picks and predictions
The Georgia Bulldogs found their way into the quarterfinals after topping the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 72-66. That came a day after a close 78-76 win over Xavier in Round 1 play.
Georgia — which ranked 236th in the 3-point shooting during the regular season — was lethal from distance, connecting on 14 of 27 attempts from downtown, a 51.9% clip.
Defensively, Wake was shut down, shooting 39.1% from the field. That included a brutal 3-for-22 mark from beyond the arc.
While it ranked 55th in KenPom’s defensive efficiency metric, Georgia was 265th in defensive scoring at 74.4 points per game, outside the Top 170 in both field goal (43.4%) and 3-point shooting (32.9%) defense.
They draw a Ohio State Buckeyes side that ranks just behind them in KenPom’s defensive efficiency, though its defensive presence reflects in some other statistics.
Ohio State ranked inside the Top 100 in scoring defense during the regular season, allowing 70 points per game while limiting teams to 42.6% shooting from the field, just outside the Top 100.
OSU was all business in dismantling Virginia Tech, 81-73, holding the Hokies to 40.6% shooting from the field (23.8% from downtown).
An offense that shot only 39.3% itself, which included a grim 4-for-17 mark from distance, Ohio State survived by making hay at the stripe, sinking 29 of 32 free throws.
Prior to the NIT, Ohio State had won four of its last five against Big 10 competition, with those wins all coming by at least nine points.
Both teams’ gameplay at the NIT tells me we should expect more of the same: decent scoring, with a close finish. That has me leaning to Georgia and all those points. Georgia is comfy in close contests, as five of its last six games have been decided by six points or fewer.
My best bet: Georgia +8.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
Georgia vs Ohio State same-game parlay
Georgia +8.5
Jamison Battle Over 5.5 rebounds
Jamison Battle Over 17.5 points
For this SGP, let’s focus on the do-everything work of Buckeyes forward Jamison Battle.
He’s coming off a 21-point, 10-rebound, 3-assist gem over the Hokies while leading Ohio State in all three categories in the 88-83 opener vs. Cornell with 17 points, eight boards and five dimes.
Battle has a very reachable 5.5 rebound total considering he’s cleared it with boards to spare in both NIT games, and three times in his last four overall. Georgia ranks just 276th in rebounding, so Battle should have ample opportunities to clean the glass.
His scoring is also worth wagering on, as he’s scored 20 or more in three of four. Battle has also topped the 17.5-point total six times in his last nine games while missing a seventh in the opener against Cornell by a free throw.
Battle tied for the team lead on shot attempts with 14 vs. Cornell while taking a team-best 18 trips to the line vs. Virginia Tech. He should be prominent on Tuesday night.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Georgia vs Ohio State spread and Over/Under analysis
- Ohio State is 8-2-0 against the spread in its last 10 games.
- Georgia has covered the spread in six straight contests.
- The Buckeyes have a 20-14-1 Over/Under record this season.
- The Bulldogs have hit the Under in four of their last six games.
Georgia vs Ohio State betting trend to know
Ohio State has won 11 straight vs. non-conference foes. Find more college basketball betting trends for Georgia vs. Ohio State.
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Georgia vs Ohio State game info
| Location: | Value City Arena, Columbus, OH |
| Date: | Tuesday, March 26, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
