Two Big Ten programs off to disappointing starts after major offseason moves meet on Friday when Ohio State hosts Indiana in Columbus.
While both teams have struggled to find consistency on the hardwood this season, my Indiana vs. Ohio State predictions believe the Buckeyes have a clear advantage with the Hoosiers down arguably their best player.
Find out more in my college basketball picks for Friday, January 17.
Indiana vs Ohio State prediction
My best bet
Ohio State -7.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
After two straight NCAA Tournament appearances to start his tenure at his alma mater, Mike Woodson’s butt is on the hot seat in Bloomington.
The Indiana Hoosiers are just 32-19 since last season, and Indiana collectively dropped major bags for Arizona transfer Oumar Ballo in the offseason to try to elevate the team this year.
It hasn’t worked, with Indiana just 4-3 in Big Ten play and coming off two straight blowout losses to Iowa and Illinois. Things went from bad to worse this season, too, when star forward Malik Reneau suffered a knee injury on Jan. 2 against Rutgers. He’s now missed four straight games.
The junior leads Indiana in scoring (14.1), is second in rebounds (5.9), and third in assists (2.3). Without him, this struggling offense is in serious trouble.
With Indiana sitting just 79th in adjusted offensive efficiency, it’s going to struggle against a quietly stout Ohio State Buckeyes defense. Ohio State is 29th in adjusted defensive efficiency and holding opponents to 71.1 ppg.
Jake Diebler’s squad has proven capable of defending all over the court — allowing just a 39.4% field goal percentage (26th best in the country) and a 29.1% 3-point percentage (25th). That’s going to make it difficult for this one-dimensional Indiana offense to make a major dent without Reneau.
The Hoosiers are one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the nation, sitting 331st in threes per game (6.1) and 299th in 3-point percentage (31.4%).
With that inability to pull from behind the arc, Indiana is going to struggle to keep up with an Ohio State offense putting up 80.4 ppg and ranks 43rd in field goal percentage (48.2%) and 41st in 3-point percentage (37.4%).
Indiana vs Ohio State same-game parlay (SGP)
Ohio State -7.5
Bruce Thorton Over 17.5 points
Oumar Ballo Over 10.5 rebounds
Bruce Thornton has been one of the best offensive players in the Big Ten this season. He’s eighth in OBPR and has taken his game up a notch as of late with five performances of 18+ points in his last six games.
Over that six-game stretch, he’s averaging 22 points per game and has twice hit 30+ points. It doesn’t look like his usage will be going down anytime soon, either; he’s played 36+ minutes in six straight games and has taken double-digit shots in six of his last seven.
Oumar Ballo is averaging a double-double this season and will go for 11+ rebounds against an Ohio State team just 219th in rebounds per game (35.3).
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Indiana vs Ohio State odds
Indiana vs Ohio State live odds
Indiana vs Ohio State opening odds
- Spread: Indiana +7 | Ohio State -7
- Moneyline: Indiana +250 | Ohio State -310
- Over/Under: Over 148.5 | Under 148.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Indiana vs Ohio State betting trend to know
Ohio State has covered the spread in 22 of its last 36 games (+6.55 Units / 17% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Indiana vs. Ohio State.
How to watch Indiana vs Ohio State
| Location: | Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH |
| Date: | Friday, 1-17-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FOX |
Indiana vs Ohio State key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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