Minnesota has wins over Iowa, Ohio State and Michigan this season, so this is clearly a team that isn’t lacking in talent.
However, the Golden Gophers are going to need to win the Big Ten Tournament in order to make it to the Big Dance, and that means going through Ohio State once again.
Keep reading our Minnesota vs. Ohio State college basketball betting picks and predictions in order to figure out how this might play out. These teams will meet at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana at 2:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 11.
Minnesota vs Ohio State odds
Sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonOhio State dipped from -11.5 to -10.5 earlier this morning at PointsBet USA, crept back to -11.5 midmorning and sits at -11 as of noon ET. “Ohio State grabbing 65 percent of tickets and 70 percent of handle,” PointsBet’s Patrick Eichner said. The total opened at 145.5 this morning and initially rose to 146.5, then dropped to 142, and it’s now 143. “Approximately 75 percent of bets and money backing the Under,” Eichner said.
Check out the full line movement for this game
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Ohio State Buckeyes betting preview
Injuries
Minnesota: Liam Robbins C (Out), Gabe Kalscheur G (Out).
Ohio State: Justice Sueing F (Questionable).
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Minnesota is 1-7 ATS in its last eight games. Find more NCAA betting trends for Minnesota vs. Ohio State.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
When Minnesota beat Ohio State on January 3, center Liam Robbins had 27 points and 14 rebounds for the Golden Gophers. However, Robbins had just one 20-point performance in 11 games after that—and he, along with guard Gabe Kalscheur, has been sidelined since late February and is not expected to play in this game.
The Golden Gophers do have some good players, with Marcus Carr being one of the Big Ten’s best guards, and he’s flanked by a number of guys that are capable of getting it going on any given night. But Minnesota’s 51-46 win over Northwestern yesterday was ugly, and as the Gophers had lost seven in a row before earning that win, even that performance isn’t one that should be inspiring.
Ohio State isn’t in the best shape right now, but the team should be out for revenge against Minnesota here. Also, the Buckeyes were just 7 for 27 from deep the last time these teams met, and they were also a lousy 19 for 61 from the floor. Ohio State has the fourth-ranked adjusted offensive efficiency in basketball (all efficiency stats according to KenPom.com), so it’s unlikely the Buckeyes will struggle like that again, especially with the Golden Gophers being a mediocre defensive team.
PREDICTION: Ohio State -10.5 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
While the Buckeyes are an excellent team, they are certainly susceptible on the defensive end. Whereas Ohio State is fourth in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency, the team is 82nd in adjusted defensive efficiency.
And that is part of the reason why the Buckeyes have cooled down a bit lately. Does that mean Ohio State can’t cover this 10.5-point spread? Of course not. But it might mean that Minnesota will put up a decent number, making the Over the safer play.
PREDICTION: Over 147 (-110)
Minnesota vs Ohio State betting card
- Ohio State -10.5 (-110)
- Over 147 (-110)
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