Minnesota vs Ohio State Odds, Picks and Predictions: Track Meet Expected in Big Ten Opener

Still riding high after upsetting Alabama at the Emerald Coast Classic, the Ohio State Buckeyes enter their first Big Ten game of the season as major favorites over the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

The college basketball odds have the Buckeyes -13 at home thanks in part to their explosive offense.

While the Golden Gophers have had an up-and-down start to the year — they’re 5-2 with a loss to San Francisco and all their wins coming against mid-majors — they’ve had more than a few high-scoring outings. 

Find out where my best bets lie in our free college basketball picks for Minnesota vs. Ohio State on Sunday, December 3.

Minnesota vs Ohio State best odds

Minnesota vs Ohio State picks and predictions

Chris Holtmann’s program is 6-1 with its only loss coming to No. 14 Texas A&M and the Ohio State Buckeyes look poised to make some noise after a disappointing season last year. Through seven games this year, they’re hanging 80 points per night — up from 72.5 last year — and have scored at least 73 in six of seven games.

With this Buckeyes offense finding its groove on the back of its backcourt, the 141.5-point total is very much in reach, especially with the Minnesota Golden Gophers offense being surprisingly feisty.

What makes the Over so enticing though is the play of Buckeyes sophomore guard Bruce Thornton. The former Top-100 recruit has taken his game up a notch in Year 2 with the program and has become one of the best lead guards in the Big Ten.

A 6-foot-2, 215-pound wrecking ball, Thornton’s ability to take it to the rim or pull from deep has separated him as one of the best players in the conference this year. He’s eighth in points per game with 18.3 and even in the loss to the Aggies, he dropped 24 points, which was key to the Over cashing in that game.

Thornton has led the charge for the Buckeyes offensive attack and his 3-point shooting has been the biggest game changer for this team. He’s taking 5.6 per game and hitting 2.3 (41%) and has been perfectly complemented by fellow sophomore guard Roddy Gayle Jr.

Like Thornton, Gayle Jr., another former Top-100 recruit, has blossomed in his second season in Columbus. He’s averaging 14.4 points per game and 4.1 assists while not shying away from the three — he’s shooting 38.1% from behind the arc on three attempts per game. In the upset of the Crimson Tide, he had the best game of his career with 23 points.

While this Gophers squad is off to a nice start at 5-2 and holding opponents to just 66.6 points per game, they’re coming off a horrific 9-22 season and haven’t played any teams as prolific as this Buckeyes group. With just one game against a Power Five team — Missouri — Minnesota has still managed to give up at least 70 points in three games this season.

Between Thornton and Gayle Jr., their hands will be full, but Ohio State is so dangerous on offense because of what they have supporting those two. Forward Jamison Battle, a Minnesota transfer, can give his former team some grief. He’s averaging 12.4 points per game and leads the Buckeyes in 3-pointers with 2.4 per game on 6.3 attempts (38.6%).

Off the bench, the Buckeyes also have senior Zed Key, who’s built like a tight end, to put up points in the paint, Baylor transfer Dale Bonner, who hits 47.4% of his threes, and talented freshman Scotty Middleton.

With that said, Minnesota has the offensive guns to keep pace. They’re putting up 79.7 points per game and coming off a 97-point outing against New Orleans.

The Gophers are led by big man Dawson Garcia and his 18.3 points per game, seventh most in the conference. While they don’t have the same high-end scorers as the Buckeyes, Minnesota should be able to score enough thanks to their depth.

Ben Johnson’s squad has eight players averaging at least six points per game and their bench play has been impressive. Off the bench, Mike Mitchell is scoring 9.3 points per game and hitting two threes per game with Cam Christie doing even more in fewer minutes with 11 points and 2.3 threes — he’s hitting 53.8% of them.

The Gophers run a fast-paced offense, which should lend well to the Over, even if they fall behind by a handful of points against a better Buckeyes squad. Johnson said that style shouldn’t change even when they’re struggling and he was happy to see his players keep it up in the win over the Privateers.

“They need to be able to fall back on that when these games get tougher,” Johnson said. “There was energy with the ball, but I think it trickled down with everybody.”

My best bet: Over 141.5 (-110 at bet365)

Minnesota vs Ohio State same-game parlay

Over 141.5 

Bruce Thornton Over 16.5 points

Dawson Garcia Over 16.5 points

+375 at bet365

For the Over to hit, both Thornton and Garcia are going to need to bring their best stuff to the court in their opening Big Ten game.

Thornton has been a machine this season, taking 11.6 shots per game with nearly half of them being threes while getting to the free throw line 6.3 times per game. That’s resulted in him scoring at least 17 points in four of seven games. In his last three outings, he’s averaging 22.3 per game, including 29 against Alabama.

As for Garcia, who began his career at Marquette before transferring to UNC and then Minnesota, his size should be a mismatch creator. At 6-foot-11, he can win in the paint, but isn’t afraid to step back — he’s taking 3.1 threes per game at 31.8%. He’s scored at least 17 in four of seven games this season.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Minnesota vs Ohio State spread and Over/Under analysis

The Buckeyes opened as massive 12.5 to 13.5-point favorites at most books and remain there at the time of writing. 

Ohio State has gone 3-3-1 ATS this season, having covered in their last three games. Minnesota has gone an impressive 6-1 ATS, failing only to cover in their loss to the Dons. Their 2.5-point cover against Missouri is the only other time they’ve been an underdog this season.

The total has been steadily dropping after opening as high as 143.5. Most books have come down to around 141.5, though some are still offering 142.5 for Under bettors.

The Buckeyes are 4-3 O/U this season and have cashed the Over in both their games against Power Five teams. The Gophers are 3-4 to the Over, but 2-1 O/U in their last three games. This is Minnesota’s third-lowest total of the season.

Minnesota vs Ohio State betting trend to know

Ohio State has gone Over the total 10 of its last 19 games at home (+1.20 units / 6% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Minnesota vs. Ohio State.

Minnesota vs Ohio State game info

Minnesota vs Ohio State key injuries

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