Minnesota vs Ohio State Odds, Picks and Predictions: The Buck Doesn't Stop Here

The Minnesota Golden Gophers hit the road to battle the Ohio State Buckeyes on Thursday.

The Gophers are coming off an 81-79 loss in overtime as 2.5-point underdogs in the Twin Cities, it’s second consecutive loss while covering. The Over against Nebraska halted a 4-0 Under run for Minnesota.

The Buckeyes are on a two-game skid, falling against Purdue at home, while losing to Maryland last time out in College Park by an 80-73 score. Like Minnesota, it’s been about the Over lately, cashing in five of the past six games overall.

Can the Gophers dig and scratch their way past the Buckeyes, or will Ohio State go nuts at home, getting back on track? We’ll discuss in our college basketball picks and predictions for Minnesota vs. Ohio State on January 12.

Minnesota vs Ohio State best odds

Minnesota vs Ohio State picks and predictions

The Gophers fired out of the box with a 4-1 SU record in the early going, but this team has managed wins against just Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Chicago State in the past nine games dating back to November 23, with the Gophers just 2-4-1 ATS in the past seven games overall.

The Buckeyes have had a roller-coaster season. Ohio State has some solid wins against the likes of Cincinnati, Northwestern, and Texas Tech, but it also has disappointing setbacks to Duke, North Carolina, and San Diego State, as well as a current two-game skid against Purdue and Maryland.

While Ohio State has covered the past three games when favored by double digits, a bet on the Buckeyes comes with tremendous risk with how they’ve been playing lately.

Minnesota is two games under .500 overall, but the Gophers are 2-0-1 ATS in three games this season when serving as a double-digit underdog. If there is a lean on the line, play the Gophers catching the points.

Speaking of points, that’s the best way to go. Play the Over in this Big Ten clash in C-Bus. We saw Minnesota cash the Over last time out, albeit in an OT game. In the past four games off campus, the Gophers have split the Over-Under at a 2-2 clip.

For the Buckeyes, the Over is a healthy 5-1 in the past six games, allowing 71 or more points in three out of the past six games, including an average of 75.5 PPG in the past two contests.

The only reason to be a little cautious betting an Over for Ohio State is the health of Zed Key, who is questionable with a shoulder injury. Should Key not be able to play, change the best bet from an Over play to Minnesota catching the double-digit points.

My best bet: Over 137.5 (-110 at FanDuel)

Minnesota vs Ohio State spread analysis

Minnesota has really struggled against the number lately, going just 5-12-1 ATS in the past 18 games overall, while going 2-7-1 ATS in the past 10 games on the road.

While that’s pretty poor, the Gophers are a healthy 4-2 ATS in the past six meetings with the Buckeyes, including a straight-up win on January 3, 2021 in the Twin Cities, its most recent straight-up victory in the series. Minnesota has split the past six meetings straight up with Ohio State since December 15, 2019.

The Buckeyes have cashed in four of the past five games following a straight-up loss, although that lone non-cover was last time out at Maryland, following up a loss and non-cover against Purdue.

Again, Key’s health status is, well, key. If he cannot play, it completely flips the script from a potential Ohio State win and cover, to a Minnesota cover.

Minnesota vs Ohio State Over/Under analysis

The Gophers have cashed the Under in four of the past five games overall, but the Over is 5-1 in the past six games following a cover in the most recent outing.

The Over has cashed in two of the past three installments in this series, too, while holding a 5-4-1 edge in the previous 10 in the series.

Minnesota really struggles with just 64.3 PPG, and if it does anything well, it’s from behind the 3-point line. On free throws, the Gophers are one of the worst teams in the nation, hitting just 59.4% to leave a lot of points on the floor.

While those offensive numbers make the Over look like a suspect play, Minnesota’s defense, or lack thereof, will give Over bettors the warm and fuzzies. The Gophers are allowing 67.5 PPG, and rank just No. 225 with a 33.9% defensive 3-pointer percentage.

Ohio State is going to want to run, as it averages 79.7 PPG to rank No. 37 overall in the country, while hitting at 48.9% from the field, which ranks in the Top 20. It is also 38.4% from behind the 3-point line. Defensively, Ohio State is so-so, but it really locks it down against the triple. Still, Minnesota has the opportunity to exceed its season averages.

Minnesota vs Ohio State betting trend to know

Minnesota has cashed the Over in five of the past six games following a cover, while Ohio State has cashed the Over in five of the past six games overall, and four straight outings at home. Find more College basketball betting trends for Minnesota vs. Minnesota State.

Minnesota vs Ohio State game info

Minnesota vs Ohio State key injuries

Pages related to this topic