In a loaded year for Big Ten basketball, Ohio State and Indiana are two of eight programs in the conference to already reach double-digit wins.
The Buckeyes have been on a hot streak offensively but are coming off two tight wins in which they didn’t cover the spread, while the Hoosiers just got blown out by a surging Nebraska team. The college basketball odds see this contest being a close one, with Ohio State currently penned as a one-point favorite.
Find out where my best bets lie in our college basketball picks and predictions for Ohio State vs. Indiana on Saturday, January 6.
Ohio State vs Indiana best odds
Ohio State vs Indiana picks and predictions
With the way Ohio State has been playing on both ends of the court as of late, this game is poised to hit the Over on the 148-game total. While Chris Holtmann’s Buckeyes have been holding opponents to just 65.4 points per game this season, that number has been deflated by some of the mid-majors the program has played.
Against Power Five opponents, Ohio State is allowing 74 ppg, and in its three Big Ten games this season, the team has given up 76.3 ppg. Per Ken Pomeroy ratings, Ohio State is 56th in adjusted defensive efficiency and has played the 217th toughest schedule in terms of opponent's offensive ratings. That should set this Indiana offense up well enough to score points against the Buckeyes and help inflate the total.
This season, Indiana is putting up a respectable 75.9 ppg, 166th in the country, and ranks 91st in adjusted offensive efficiency rating. The Hoosiers have scored at least 70 points in five of seven games against Power Five programs and are one of the best teams in the nation at getting to the free-throw line.
Indiana is averaging 24.8 free throw attempts this season, the 20th most in the country. Led by power forward Malik Reneau, Indiana has been solid from three as well, connecting on 33.5% of them.
Supporting Reneau is fellow big Kel’el Ware, who brings even more size to the table. The 7-foot center is an Oregon transfer averaging 15.3 points per game and nine rebounds. Ohio State doesn’t have a player over 6-foot-7 playing more than 21 minutes per game, so that could force Holtmann to play 6-foot-11 sophomore Felix Okpara even more.
In the backcourt, senior Trey Galloway is Mike Woodson’s go-to option. He’s averaging 10.9 ppg and 3.4 assists and will have his hands full trying to defend the Buckeyes explosive backcourt.
Indiana’s defense has really struggled this season, allowing 74.3 points per game while ranking 107th in adjusted defensive efficiency and allowing opponents to connect on 34.9% of threes. It’s the perfect team for the Buckeyes to push around.
Ohio State ranks 22nd in adjusted offensive efficiency rating and boasts three scorers — Bruce Thornton, Roby Gaye Jr., and Jamison Battle —all of whom have shown the ability to take over a game.
The mismatch Ohio State’s backcourt has and the sheer size and scoring advantage of Indiana’s frontcourt sets this one up well for points aplenty.
My best bet: Over 148 (-110 at bet365)
Ohio State vs Indiana same-game parlay
Over 147.5
Bruce Thornton Over 15.5 points
Malik Reneau Over 15.5 points
Thornton has been one of the best players in the Big Ten this season and helped this Ohio State program look like it could be a real threat in March.
Not only does he face a great matchup against this Indiana defense, but Thornton has brought his best for the Buckeyes in bigger games this season. In seven contests against Power Five teams, Thornton has averaged 20.5 ppg.
On the other side of the court, Reneau brings a mismatch problem for Ohio State with his size and ability to pull from deep. He’s been especially hot from downtown over the latest stretch, connecting on nine of 14 threes (64.2%) in his last five games.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Ohio State vs Indiana spread and Over/Under analysis
The Buckeyes opened between one and two-point favorites at most books, and while the line did shift momentarily to a pick’em, Ohio State is listed at -1 to -1.5 pretty much everywhere else. Ohio State is 6-7-1 against the spread this season and 3-1 in its last four, while Indiana is 6-8 and 2-2 in its last four.
The total has only moved half a point at some books, with most opening at 148.5 and staying put. The Buckeyes are 9-5 when betting the Over this season, including 6-1 against Power Five programs, and Indiana is 8-6, including 3-0 in its last three.
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Ohio State vs Indiana betting trend to know
Indiana has hit the game total Over in 14 of its last 24 games at home (+3.00 Units / 11% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Ohio State vs. Indiana.
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Ohio State vs Indiana game info
| Location: | Assembly Hall, Bloomington, IL |
| Date: | Saturday, January 6, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FOX |
Ohio State vs Indiana key injuries
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