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College Basketball

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Predictions, Picks, Odds

Daniel Dobish
Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read

The Ohio State Buckeyes (14-5, 7-3 Big Ten) travel to meet the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (13-9, 7-5) for a Big Ten conference matchup at Jersey Mike's Arena in Piscataway, N.J. on Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on Big Ten Network.

SCORE PREDICTION

Ohio State 71, Rutgers 68

BEST BETS

Ohio State -135 ML at DraftKings

Over 136.5 (-110) at William Hill

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES VS. RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS PREDICTIONS

The Buckeyes rebounded from an 81-78 loss at Purdue on Jan. 30 with an 82-67 victory over Maryland in Columbus last time out. The ranked Buckeyes have won four of the past five games while covering each of the past four outings. The 82 points scored were the most in nearly a calendar month since dropping 95 on Northwestern on Jan. 9. Ohio State hit 51% (30-of-59) from the field, including 42% (11-of-26) from downtown, while turning the ball over just six times. Ohio State also outrebounded Maryland by a 35-to-29 margin. E.J. Liddell led the way with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while shooting an efficient 9-of-14 from the field.

While the Scarlet Knights have managed a record of just four games over .500, they're a pain every night out for opponents. Just ask Michigan State, as the ranked Spartans left New Jersey with an 84-63 loss last time out against Rutgers. Before that win over Sparty, Rutgers had each of the previous five outings separated by single digits. Rutgers has covered the past two games, and they're looking to equal a season best with three straight covers, tying a 3-0 ATS run from Jan. 1-8. Rutgers was ridiculous with 62% (32-of-52) field goals made, including 45% (9-of-20) from behind the 3-point line.

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES VS. RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS BETTING ODDS

  • Ohio State -135
  • Rutgers +120
  • Ohio State -2 (-110)
  • Rutgers +3 (-110)
  • Over 136.5 (-110)
  • Under 136.5 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES VS. RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS BETTING RESOURCES

  • Matchup: Big 10
  • Date: Wednesday, February 9, 2022
  • Venue: Jersey Mike's Arena
  • Location: Piscataway, New Jersey
  • TV-Time: BTN - 7:00 p.m. ET

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES BETTING ANALYSIS

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

  • SU: 14-5
  • ATS: 10-9
  • O/U: 13-6

The Buckeyes have covered a season-high four consecutive games from Jan. 18-Feb. 6, and they haven't cashed in five or more in a row since a a 5-0 ATS run from Jan. 31-Feb. 18, 2021.

Ohio State has won four straight in this series, too, while going 4-0 ATS, while cashing the OVER in each outing. Ohio State is also 6-1 SU/ATS across the past seven outings, while Rutgers has won just once in the past four home games against Ohio State.

The Buckeyes have cashed in 13 of the past 19 road games, while also going 13-6 ATS in the past 19 road outings against teams with a winning home record. For totals, the OVER is 13-5 in the past 18 games overall, while going 21-6 in the past 27 road outings. The Buckeyes have cashed the OVER in each of the past four against winning teams, too.

RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

  • SU: 13-9
  • ATS: 9-12-1
  • O/U: 13-9

Rutgers has cashed in each of the past two outings, while winning two of the past three games overall. The OVER has cashed in two in a row, too, and they haven't hit three straight OVERs since Nov. 27-Dec. 3.

The Scarlet Knights are 5-1 ATS in the past six games at home, while going 5-2 ATS in the past seven following a straight-up victory. For totals, the OVER is 4-0 in the past four against winning teams, while going 6-2 in the past eight following a cover and 8-3 in the past 11 following a straight-up victory.

The home team has connected in five of the past six meetings in this series, while the favorite is 5-2 ATS in the past seven meetings.


Ohio State has cashed in 13 of the past 19 games on the road. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

  • Record: 14-5
  • VI Ranking: 15
  • PS/G: 75.6 (77th)
  • PA/G: 67.9 (151st)
  • ORtg: 113.1 (20th)
  • DRtg: 101.6 (239th)

INSIDE THE STATS - RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS

  • Record: 13-9
  • VI Ranking: TBA
  • PS/G: 68.3 (260th)
  • PA/G: 64.8 (66th)
  • ORtg: 101.3 (202nd)
  • DRtg: 96.2 (103rd)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

  • OHST: Malaki Branham - G (10.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 40.0 3P%)
  • OHST: E.J. Liddell - F (19.9 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.9 APG, 2.6 SPG, 52.2 FG%)
  • RUTG: Geo Baker - G (11.6 PPG, 4.1 APG, 2.3 RPG, 1.1 SPG)
  • RUTG: Ron Harper, Jr. - G (15.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.3 SPG, 41.2 3P%)

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES VS. RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS BETTING CONCLUSION

The Michigan State-Rutgers game should serve as a cautionary tale for Ohio State heading into this one. Yes, Rutgers is barely above .500, but they bring the energy every night and you simply cannot let your guard down or you might get boat-raced by Ron Harper, Jr., Geo Baker etc.

The Buckeyes are playing its best basketball of the season, peaking in February for a stretch run into the Big Ten Tournament and what they hope is a deep run into the NCAA Tournament, too. Ohio State has a big man in Liddell who can be a difference maker in this game, and Ohio State should be able to do enough in the frontcourt to avoid the upset at Rutgers. But this game is going to come down to the end, and free throws and turnovers are likely to make the difference.

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES VS. RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS BETTING TRENDS

  • Ohio State is 4-0 ATS in the past four games overall.
  • Ohio State is 13-6 ATS in the past 19 road games.
  • Rutgers is 5-1 ATS in the past six home games.
  • The OVER is 13-5 in the past 18 games overall for Ohio State.
  • The OVER is 21-6 in the past 27 road games for Ohio State.
  • The OVER is 4-0 in the past four vs. winning teams for Ohio State.
  • The OVER is 4-0 in the past four vs. winning teams for Rutgers.
  • The home team is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings.
  • The favorite is 5-2 ATS in the past seven meetings.

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Daniel Dobish

Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish
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