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College Basketball

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines Predictions, Picks, Odds

Michael Crosson
Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert
6 minute read

The Ohio State Buckeyes (14-6) will travel north to take on their Big 10 rival Michigan Wolverines (13-9). Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan and can be viewed on ESPN. 

SCORE PREDICTION

Michigan 73, Ohio State 71 

BEST BETS

Over 141 (-110) at DraftKings

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES VS. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES PREDICTIONS

The 16th ranked Buckeyes are coming off a 64-66 loss to Rutgers on Wednesday and are now 2-2 in their last four matchups. Ohio started the season with quality wins against Duke, Seton Hall, and Wisconsin all within their first 10 games. Since then, the Buckeyes have failed to win against quality opponents with losses to Indiana, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Rutgers. This is a big game for Ohio State. Another loss here could take them out of the top 25 and negatively impact the team's confidence headed into the final stretch of the season. 

Michigan began the season ranked in the top-10 but now are just hoping to make it to the NCAA tournament. The Wolverines were able to knock off 4th ranked Purdue on Thursday, winning 82-58, and giving them their first win against a top 25 opponent all season. Another win on Saturday would be huge for the Wolverines chances of making the tournament. Michigan has won six of their last eight games after starting the season 7-7. A win over Ohio State may elevate this team to who we thought they were to begin the season. 

This is set up to be a great Big 10 matchup. Ohio State is itching for some confidence after losing to Rutgers while Michigan needs to keep their emotions in check after beating Purdue. I think this one will come down to the final possessions and while I give Michigan the slight edge to win, I think the total is the best bet in this game. With both teams averaging over 70 PPG I like the total to go over in this matchup. 

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES VS. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES BETTING ODDS

  • Ohio State +115
  • Michigan -135
  • Ohio State +2.5 (-110)
  • Michigan -2.5 (-110)
  • Over 141 (-110)
  • Under 141 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES VS. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES BETTING RESOURCES

  • Matchup: Big 10
  • Date: Saturday, February 12, 2022
  • Venue: Crisler Center
  • Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • TV-Time: ESPN - 6:00 p.m. ET

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES BETTING ANALYSIS

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

  • SU: 14-6
  • ATS: 10-10
  • O/U: 13-7

Ohio State has not been profitable ATS on the season with a 10-10 record. They are however 4-1 ATS in their last five games and are 6-3 SU and ATS in their last nine matchups against Michigan. The total has gone over 13 times this year for the Buckeyes and has gone over in five of their last seven games against Big 10 opponents. Going against this trend, the total has gone under in four of the Buckeyes last five games when playing Michigan on the road. 

Ohio State’s offense did not look themselves in their most recent game against Rutgers, scoring only 64 points. On the season they are averaging 75.1 PPG (85th), 14.9 APG (68th), 47.8 FG% (28th), 37.8 3PT% (28th), and 35.6 RPG (167th). The Buckeyes offense is led by junior forward E.J. Liddell who is having himself quite the year. Liddell is averaging 19.7 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 3 APG, 51.9 FG%. Ohio State likes to shoot the three ball with 463 out of their 1112 shots coming from beyond the arc. Expect them to keep firing come game time. 

The defense for the Buckeyes has been subpar this season. They are allowing 67.8 PPG (146th), 41.63 FG% (98th), 32.8 3PT% (147th), 4.8 SPG (327th), and 4.8 BPG (38th). Ohio State will need to focus on shutting down Michigan's leading offensive scorer, Hunter Dickinson. If they are able to slow Dickinson down the Buckeyes could end up leaving Ann Arbor with a big road win. 

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES BETTING ANALYSIS

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

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

Michigan has struggled to cover this year with a 9-13 ATS record including a 2-4 ATS record in their last six games. They are finding ways to win, going 6-2 SU in their last eight games and 5-0 SU in their last five games played at home. The total has gone over 12 times this year for the Wolverines including six of their last eight. 

On paper, Michigan's offense is very similar to Ohio States. Entering Saturday’s matchup they are averaging 72.8 PPG (140th), 14.2 APG (106th), 47.2 FG% (37th), 35.5 3PT% (93rd), and 36.2 RPG (124th). The Wolverines offense is led by sophomore center Hunter Dickinson. Dickinson is listed at 7’1 but has the ability to shoot the three ball if needed, even going 4 for 4 from three against Purdue. Senior guard DeVante Jones has also been a key factor in the Wolverines offense. Jones is averaging 9.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.2 APG. Expect these guys to get going right away on Saturday. 

The Wolverines defense also ranks very closely to Ohio States. On the season they are allowing 67.8 PPG (146), 43.6 FG% (196th), 30.9 3pt% (67th), 4.5 SPG (339th), and 2.8 BPG (224th). Michigan's first priority on defense should be to slow down the Buckeyes leading scorer Liddell. After that they need to be prepared to defend the three because Ohio State is not afraid to shoot the ball. 

Michigan is 2-4 ATS in their last six games. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

  • Record: 14-6
  • VI Ranking: 15
  • PS/G: 75 (85th)
  • PA/G: 67.8 (151st)
  • ORtg: 113 (18th)
  • DRtg: 102.2 (248th)

INSIDE THE STATS - MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

  • Record: 13-9
  • VI Ranking: N/A
  • PS/G: 72.8 (142nd)
  • PA/G: 67.8 (147th)
  • ORtg: 108.6 (57th)
  • DRtg: 101.2 (235th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

  • OHST: E.J. Liddell - F (19.7 PPG, 7.6 REB, 3 AST)
  • OHST: Zed Key - F (9.4 PPG, 5.9 REB, 0.9 BLK)
  • MICH: Eli Brooks - G (12.1 PPG, 3.5 REB, 2.9 AST)
  • MICH: Hunter Dickinson - C (18.3 PPG, 8.3 REB, 2.3 AST)

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES VS. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES BETTING CONCLUSION

These two teams are very evenly matched which makes it no surprise that the line opened as a 2-point spread with Michigan being the favorite. The Wolverines will be having a “blue out” for the game which could make home court advantage the difference maker in this one. Regardless of who ends up winning, I do think plenty of points will be scored. For this reason, I will be staying away from the spread and taking the over 141.5 instead. 

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES VS. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES BETTING TRENDS

  • Ohio State is 4-1 ATS in their last five games.
  • Michigan is 2-4 ATS in their last six games.
  • Ohio State is 6-3 ATS in their last nine matchups against Michigan.
  • The total has gone OVER in six of Michigan's last eight games.
  • The total has gone OVER in 13 of Ohio State's last 19 games.

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Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson
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