Sign In $
College Basketball

Michigan vs. Ohio State Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
6 minute read

Feb. 21, 2021
David Schwab
NCAA BK Expert
VegasInsider.com

One of the biggest showdowns in the Big Ten this season is set for Sunday afternoon with the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines going on the road to face the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes. Game time on CBS from Value City Arena is set for 1 p.m. (ET).

BETTING RESOURCES

Follow your Action on ESPN+ today!

ESPN+ is the leader in video streaming content and is a must-have if you're betting college basketball on a daily basis.

The ESPN+ college basketball schedule offers numerous games to follow in High Quality HD Streaming.

VegasInsider users can take advantage of this opportunity today!

Michigan-Ohio State Betting Odds

Line Movements

  • Spread: Ohio State -1.5
  • Money-Line: Ohio State -113 Michigan -106
  • Total: 148.5

Odds Subject to Change

Ohio State gets the slight nod in Sunday’s matchup as a 1.5-point home favorite. The betting line for the total opened at 148.5 points.

The Wolverines moved to 10-1 straight-up in conference play with Thursday’s seven-point win at home against Rutgers. Despite failing to cover as 9.5-point favorites, they are still 8-3 against the spread. The total has stayed UNDER in six of their last seven games.

Michigan is just 2-5 both SU and ATS in its last seven games against the Buckeyes with three of those losses coming on the road. The total has stayed UNDER in two of the last three meetings.

Ohio State extended its current SU winning streak to seven games with a 10-point road win against Penn State on Thursday night. It is 6-1 ATS during this same span after covering as a five-point favorite. The total has gone OVER in five of the seven wins.

The Buckeyes have a SU 10-1 record at home this season while going 7-4 ATS. The total has gone OVER in three of their last five home games.


Michigan enters Sunday's matchup as the underdog, despite winning 15 of 16 games this season while also covering in 12 of those games. (AP)

Betting Analysis – Michigan Wolverines

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 14-1
  • ATS: 12-4
  • SU - Home: 11-0
  • SU - Away: 4-1
  • O/U: 7-9

Michigan has quickly returned to form over its last two games coming off an extended three-week layoff due to health protocols.

It was able to erase a 14-point deficit to get past Wisconsin on the road before holding off Rutgers at home after leading by nine points at the half. Center Hunter Dickinson has led the way all season long with 14.6 points and 7.8 rebounds a game.

Forward Isaiah Livers is a close second with 14.5 points and 6.1 rebounds. Guard Franz Wagner has the hot hand shooting the ball with a 51% field-goal percentage.

Overall, the Wolverines are averaging 78.4 points with 39.4 rebounds a game. They are shooting 49.9% from the field and 38.0% from the three-point line. Defensively, Michigan is holding opposing teams to 64.9 PPG.

Betting Analysis – Ohio State Buckeyes

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 18-4
  • ATS: 14-7-1
  • SU - Home: 11-1
  • SU - Away: 7-3
  • O/U: 13-8-1

The Buckeyes moved to 12-4 SU in Big Ten play with Thursday’s victory. EJ Liddell ended that game with 23 points by scoring 17 in the second half.

The sophomore forward has now exceeded his team-high 15.5-point scoring average in four of his last five starts. Liddell also leads the team in rebounds (6.6) and blocked shots (1.3). Guard Duane Washington Jr. is another key part of the Buckeyes’ offense with 14.9 PPG.

Ohio State is scoring an average of 78.1 PPG and shooting 46.1% from the field. This drops to 36.2% from three-point range. It is pulling down 37 total rebounds a game.

While the defense gave up more than 80 points twice in the last four games, the Buckeyes’ points-allowed average on the year is 68.6.


Inside the Stats – Michigan Wolverines

  • PS/G: 78.4 (47th)
  • PA/G: 64.9 (51st)
  • Off Rtg: 113 (21st)
  • Def Rtg: 93.5 (47th)

Inside the Stats – Ohio State Buckeyes

  • PS/G: 78.1 (51st)
  • PA/G: 68.6 (129th)
  • Off Rtg: 115.4 (6th)
  • Def Rtg: 101.3 (213th)

Key Players to Watch

  • MICH - Hunter Dickinson (14.6 PPG, 7.8 RPG)
  • MICH - Isaiah Livers (14.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG)
  • OHST - Duane Washington (14.9 PPG)
  • OHST - E.J. Liddell (15.5 PPG, 6.6 RPG)

Michigan-Ohio State Predictions

These two Big Ten powers matchup extremely well on paper in what should be a highly entertaining game from start to finish. My lean is towards Michigan SU in a game that could be decided by the final possession of the game.

A stronger play is the OVER on the total line. As a featured matchup, I expect both of these offenses to play at a high level. This, in turn, should make the final score a bit higher than the oddsmakers expected when setting total line.

  • Score Prediction: Michigan 87 Ohio State 86
  • Best Bets: Michigan +1.5
  • Best Bets: OVER

WHERE TO BET MICHIGAN-OHIO STATE

Why Bet at WynnBet?

Why Not is the appropriate answer! For starters, WynnBet is an "Independent Sportsbook" and it differentiates itself from the competition.

WynnBET sports betting covers all the most popular options, from football to cricket. It offers betting markets for college and professional sports, focusing on US leagues such as the NFL, the NBA, and the NHL.

For mobile users, the numerous selections on the Betting App at your disposal is more impressive. Most notably, you'll get to enjoy in-play wagering, which is unavailable in the land-based establishment.


Daily Newsletter - Sign Up Today!
Sign up to get daily betting columns and advice delivered directly to your inbox.
by submitting your data, you agree to VegasInsider.com Privacy Policy

College Basketball News

VegasInsider Staff

VegasInsider Staff

More from VegasInsider Staff
•