Two Big Ten schools desperate for a W kick off college basketball’s Monday slate, as the Ohio State Buckeyes visit the Michigan Wolverines this afternoon.
Michigan is reeling, staring at a potential sixth-straight loss, already amid the longest skid in the Juwan Howard era. They’re flailing against conference teams at 1-4, and have the fewest wins of any team in the Big Ten at 6-10.
The Buckeyes are slight 1-point favorites in the college basketball odds, coming off a loss to the 15th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers, which dropped them to 2-3 in conference play.
Who comes out on top? Check below for my free Ohio State vs Michigan preview, complete with college basketball picks and a best bet for Monday, January 15.
Ohio State vs Michigan best odds
Ohio State vs Michigan picks and predictions
Thursday’s 64-57 loss to Maryland was probably the low point of the Michigan Wolverines season so far. They blew a 12-point halftime lead and were outscored 43-24 in the second half to drop their fifth straight. Since starting the year 3-0, Michigan has dropped 10 of its last 13 games.
The defense is the issue as the Wolverines are allowing 77.8 points per game, a distant 323rd in the nation. Teams are shooting 44.7% against them from the field, which ranks 276th, and they’re 310th in 3-point shooting defense, with opposing schools hitting at a 35.5% clip.
Their inability to get a stop is offsetting an offense that ranks 56th in scoring at 80.1 points per game. But Michigan will get a shot in the arm in that category at the Crisler Center, as leading scorer Dug McDaniel will be back in action after missing the Maryland game, his first of a six-game road suspension for academic reasons.
The Buckeyes offense dried up when needed the most, getting outscored 19-4 in the final six minutes, watching a four-point lead evaporate in a 71-60 loss to Wisconsin. That came after a 71-65 loss to the Indiana Hoosiers — marking their two lowest-scoring outputs on the year.
Ohio State is averaging 77 points per game overall, which ranks 119th in the nation. Their defense, however, is fourth in the Big Ten, holding teams to 66.1 points per game (68th).
If anything, Michigan presents the Buckeyes a proper get-right game. The Wolverines’ porous defense should allow their offense to get back on track. That and their defense gets a chance to keep doing its things against a team that’s shaky on confidence at the moment.
Michigan is also the only team in the conference with a losing record at home.
My best bet: Ohio State moneyline (-122 at DraftKings)
Ohio State vs Michigan same-game parlay
Ohio State moneyline
Under 146.5
After topping the points total in 11 of its first 13 games, Michigan has seen the Under hit in three straight, averaging 67 points over that stretch. Ohio State has seen the Under hit in back-to-back games and has slipped Under the total in four of its last six.
Not only have the last two head-to-heads gone Under, but it’s hard to shake the fact that 15 of the last 16 matchups have produced a total of 146 or fewer points. Assuming the line available is at that number or higher, it offers a lot of value to round out this brief SGP.
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Ohio State vs Michigan spread and Over/Under analysis
The largest spread that’s been available was 2.5 points, but no books are offering up that action anymore, though every half-point down to one is available, depending on what site you use.
Both teams have losing records against the spread with Ohio State going 7-9-0 ATS and the Wolverines covering in just five of 16 contests on the year.
The lowest point total that’s been offered is 146.5 and it has climbed to as high as 148.5. Ohio State’s Over record is 9-7-0 while the Wolverines have seen the Over cash in 11 of 16.
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Ohio State vs Michigan betting trend to know
The last 10 head-to-head meetings have produced a 5-5 record on the moneyline, spread, and Over/Under. Find more college basketball betting trends for Ohio State vs. Michigan.
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Ohio State vs Michigan game info
| Location: | Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, MI |
| Date: | Monday, January 15, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 12:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FOX |
Ohio State vs Michigan key injuries
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