Michigan State hosts No. 4 Ohio State at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan on Thursdsay. The game tips at 9:00 p.m. ET, when the Spartans will be looking to upset the Buckeyes and extend their winning streak to three games.
Will Michigan State earn a much-needed victory in this one? Find out with our best betting picks and predictions for Ohio State vs. Michigan State on February 25.
Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan State Spartans betting preview
Injuries
Ohio State: Ibrahima Diallo (Questionable), Musa Jallow (Questionable).
Michigan State: None.
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Over is 6-0 in Ohio State’s last six road games. . Find more NCAA betting trends for Ohio State vs. Michigan State.
NCAAB sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonPointsBet USA pegged Ohio State 5.5-point chalk at the outset Wednesday afternoon, and the line dipped to -3.5 by late Wednesday night, then spent today bouncing between Buckeyes -3.5 and -4. As of 6:30 p.m. ET, Ohio State is -3.5, and despite the line drop, the Buckeys are taking a huge majority of action, at 89 percent of bets and 91 percent of cash. "Ohio State covering is the biggest liability of the night, across all sports," PointsBet's Patrick Eichner said. The total is down to 145 from a 148 opener, with the Over taking 57 percent of bets/76 percent of money.
Check out the full line movement for this game
Against the spread (ATS) pick
This season hasn’t gone the way Tom Izzo had planned, as the Spartans are now on the NCAA Tournament bubble, despite starting the season as the 13th-ranked team in the nation. Michigan State has won each of its last two games, however, with one of those being a road win against a solid Indiana group and then the other an 81-72 victory over a very good Illinois team. Aaron Henry has been fantastic for the Spartans recently, as he's averaging 23.5 points per game over the last two contests. Keep an eye on him against Ohio State, as he had just 10 points on 2-of-8 shooting the first time these teams met. Henry should be much better this time out.
The Buckeyes are probably going to be confident heading into this one. After all, they did beat the Spartans by 17 on January 31. But that game was at home, and it’s not going to be quite as simple winning in East Lansing — especially against a desperate Michigan State team. The Spartans have five games left this season and they likely need to win at least four of those to give themselves a chance to make the tournament. And while Ohio State is a very good basketball team, the Spartans match up well against them and have a lot more to play for. That’s a nice recipe for a team ready to compete.
Also, Michigan State is 25-13 against the spread when coming off a conference win over the last three seasons. Izzo’s teams simply play at their best at this time of year, and this group seems to be turning a corner right now.
PREDICTION: Michigan State +4.5 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
The last time these teams met, the two combined to score 141 points in a game where Michigan State shot 32.1 percent from the floor and 20.8 percent from deep. With this game being in East Lansing, it’s very unlikely the Spartans will struggle like that offensively. In fact, this game should be close, and the Buckeyes are third in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency (according to KenPom.com). That means the Spartans will have to execute on offense in order to hold their own, and the signs are pointing to them doing that.
PREDICTION: Over 148.5 (-110)
Ohio State vs Michigan State betting card
- Michigan State +4.5 (-110)
- Over 148.5 (-110)
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