Sign In $
College Basketball

Ohio State vs. Purdue Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
6 minute read
Mar. 12, 2021
David Schwab
NCAA BK Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Big Ten Tournament matchup of the day features the No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes against the No. 4 Purdue Boilermakers. Tip-off at Lucas Oil Stadium is set for 2 p.m. (ET). The game will be available on the Big Ten Network.

BETTING RESOURCES

Ohio State-Purdue Betting Odds

  • Spread: Ohio State -1.5
  • Total: 142

Odds Subject to Change

Ohio State gets the slight nod in this one as a 1.5-point favorite. The betting line for the total opened at 142 points.

The Buckeyes got by Minnesota 79-75 in their first tournament game as 11-point favorites. This snapped a straight-up four-game losing streak. They have now failed to cover against the spread in their last five games. The total has gone OVER or ended as a PUSH in six of their last nine contests.

Ohio State lost both regular season games to Purdue SU with the total staying UNDER in each game. It is now 1-4 SU in the last five games between the two. Yet, the Buckeyes are 15-5 SU in their last 20 games closing as favorites.

Purdue opens tournament play with a five-game winning streak (SU and ATS). The total has stayed UNDER in four of its last six games. Going back to a victory against Michigan State on Jan. 8, it is 11-3 SU (11-2-1 ATS) in its last 14 outings.

The total has stayed UNDER in eight of the Boilermakers’ last 12 games against Ohio State. Yet, it has gone OVER in six of their last seven games played in March.

Betting Analysis – Ohio State Buckeyes

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

  • SU: 18-8
  • ATS: 14-11-1
  • O/U: 14-11-1

Guard Duane Washington Jr. and forward Justice Sueing helped pace Thursday’s win with 16 points apiece. Sophomore forward E.J. Liddell has been the team’s scoring leader all season long with 16 points per game. He added 14 points to the winning cause.

Liddell had eclipsed his season scoring average in three of his previous four starts. He is shooting 49.1% from the field and 36.1% from three-point range. He also leads Ohio State in rebounds with 6.5 a game.

The Buckeyes are scoring an average of 76.9 points with 36 rebounds a game. They are hitting 46.2% of their shots from the field and 36.1% from three-point range. After giving up more than 70 points in each of its last six games, Ohio State’s points-allowed average this season has climbed to 70.1.


The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and now face Purdue in the Big Ten quarterfinals. (AP)

Betting Analysis – Purdue Boilermakers

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

  • SU: 18-8
  • ATS: 14-10-2
  • O/U: 13-13

Purdue won all the conference games it was supposed to this season and it closed as an underdog in all six losses.

Led by forward Trevion Williams 15.2 PPG, the Boilermakers have five different players scoring at least eight points a game. Williams also leads the team in rebounds (8.8). Guard Sasha Stefanovic is the team’s top shooter from three-point range (41.5%). He is averaging 9.7 PPG and shooting 42.8% from the field.

Purdue has taken a team approach to averaging 70.8 points and 37.7 rebounds a game. It is shooting 45.2% from the field and 33.5% from outside the three-point line.

Defensively, the Boilermakers have not allowed more than 69 points during their current five-game winning streak. They have held opposing teams to 65.5 PPG this season.


Inside the Stats – Ohio State Buckeyes

  • PS/G: 76.9 (52nd)
  • PA/G: 70.1 (176th)
  • Off Rtg: 113.2 (13th)
  • Def Rtg: 103.2 (253rd)

Inside the Stats – Purdue Boilermakers

  • PS/G: 70.8 (192nd)
  • PA/G: 65.5 (54th)
  • Off Rtg: 105.9 (100th)
  • Def Rtg: 97.9 (112th)

Key Players to Watch

  • OHST - Duane Washington Jr. (15.3 PPG)
  • OHST - E.J. Liddell (16 PPG, 6.5 RPG)
  • PUR - Trevion Williams (15.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG)
  • PUR - Jaden Ivey (10 PPG)

Ohio State-Purdue Predictions

At one time this season, I would have jumped all over Ohio State in this matchup. However, Purdue is the better team right now as far as overall playing form. Even in Thursday’s victory, the Buckeyes are struggling to play to expectations. I have the Boilermakers taking full advantage of the current situation with another SU win over their rivals.

Series trends point to a lower total score than expected against the 142-point total line. I'm going the other way in Friday’s matchup with a play on the OVER.

  • Score Prediction: Purdue 75 Ohio State 73
  • Best Bets: Purdue +1.5
  • Best Bets: OVER

WHERE TO BET OHIO STATE-PURDUE

Most Popular March Madness Tools

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
•