IOWA HAWKEYES VS. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES PICKS, PREDICTIONS, ODDS

The Iowa Hawkeyes (17-8, 7-7 Big 10) will travel to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes (16-6, 9-4 Big 10). Tipoff is scheduled for 2:30 P.M. at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio and can be viewed on FOX. 

SCORE PREDICTION

Ohio State 73, Iowa 70 

BEST BETS

Iowa +5 (-110) at Westgate

IOWA HAWKEYES VS. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES PREDICTIONS

The Iowa Hawkeyes enter this matchup after an 84-79 home loss to the Michigan Wolverines. Poor 3pt shooting by the Hawkeyes was the main contributor to the loss, shooting 44.3% (31-70) from the field, 22.2% (4-18) from beyond the arc and 65% (13-20) from the free throw line. Iowa was able to hold the Wolverines to 20% shooting from three but allowed 50% shooting from the field. Prior to the loss, the Hawkeyes were on a three-game winning streak and are currently eighth in the Big-10 with a 7-7 conference record. 

The 18th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes dominated in their most recent performance against the Minnesota Golden Gophers with a final score of 70-45. Offensively, the Buckeyes shot 43.5% from three, 49.1% from the field, and won the rebounding battle 36-29. On the defensive side of the ball the Buckeyes held Minnesota to 30% shooting from the field, 26% from three, and forced 13 turnovers. Ohio State has now won three of their last four and are currently third in the Big-10 with a 9-4 conference record. vThe first meeting between these teams was scheduled for February 3rd but was postponed until Saturday (2/19) because of travel cancellations for Iowa. Ohio State has not lost at home this season, so it's tough to think that the Hawkeyes will win this game outright. However, I think Iowa’s high-octane offense takes this one down to the wire. Rolling with the Hawkeyes and the points in this one.

IOWA HAWKEYES VS. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES BETTING ODDS

• Iowa +5 (-110)
• Ohio State -5 (-110)
• Over 153.5 (-110)
• Under 153.5 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

IOWA HAWKEYES VS. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES BETTING RESOURCES

• Matchup: Big 10
• Date: Saturday, February 19, 2022
• Venue: Value City Arena
• Location: Columbus, Ohio
• TV-Time: FOX - 2:30 p.m. ET

• Injury Report
• Wooden Award Odds
• Conference Futures Market
• Power Rankings

IOWA HAWKEYES BETTING ANALYSIS

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

• SU: 17-8
• ATS: 14-11
• O/U: 18-6-1

Iowa has been profitable ATS this season with a 14-11 ATS record. The Hawkeyes have struggled covering lately, going 2-4 ATS in their last six games. The total has gone over in 18 of the Hawkeyes 25 games played, including four of their last five road games. Going against this trend, the total has gone under in four of the last five games when Iowa is on the road against Ohio State. 

The Hawkeyes offense is led by the nation's third highest scorer, sophomore forward Keegan Murray. Murray is averaging 23.3 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.1 APG, and 55.9 FG%. As a team, Iowa’s offense is averaging 83.8 PPG (4th), 16.4 APG (22nd), 46.2 FG% (68th), 34.8 3PT% (128th), and 37.2 RPG (90th). The Hawkeyes like to run a fast-paced offense with the sixth quickest tempo in the country. The key for the Hawkeyes offensively will be who can step up outside of Keegan Murray. They have plenty of guys who can do so, but a second consistent scoring option has not been there for the Hawkeyes this season. 

Iowa’s defense has been their weakness this season. Entering this matchup the Hawkeyes are allowing 71.8 PPG (252nd), 43.6 FG% (215th), 33 3PT% (158th), while averaging 7.9 SPG (66th), and 4.6 BPG (45th). Iowa will need to contest shots against this Ohio State team that is shooting 49.5% from the field and 39.1% from three in their last two games. 

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES BETTING ANALYSIS

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

• SU: 16-6
• ATS: 12-10
• O/U: 13-9

Ohio State has gone 12-10 ATS this season, including 6-1 ATS in their last seven games. The Buckeyes are 11-0 SU in their last 11 home games and posted an ATS record of 7-4 during that span. The total has gone over 13 times for the Buckeyes and has gone over in five of their last six. Going against this trend, the total has gone under in four of the last five games when the Buckeyes are at home against Iowa. 

The Buckeyes offense is led by junior forward E.J. Liddell, who is averaging 19.9 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.9 APG, and 51.7 FG%. The Buckeyes on the season have averaged 74.5 PPG (96th), 14.4 APG (95th), 47.9 FG% (22nd), 38 3PT% (21st), and 35.2 RPG (186th). Aside from Liddell, the buckeyes do a nice job of spreading the ball around with eight players scoring six or more points per game. Ohio State will look to run a bit slower tempo than Iowa. The Buckeyes can score with Iowa, no doubt about it, but trying to match the Hawkeyes pace is not in the best interest for Ohio State. 

Ohio State’s defense has been great as of recent, allowing just 58.7 PPG in their last four games. This season the Buckeyes have been allowing 66.3 PPG (96th), 41.2 FG% (74th), 32.2 3PT% (118th), while averaging 4.6 SPG (333rd), and 4.7 BPG (40th). The Buckeyes will look to slow Iowa’s tempo down on offense, and if they are able to do so, will put themselves in a good position to win the game. 
Ohio State has covered the spread in two straight games. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - IOWA HAWKEYES

• Record: 17-8
• PS/G: 83.8 (4th)
• PA/G: 71.8 (257th)
• ORtg: 116.4 (4th)
• DRtg: 99.8 (188th)

INSIDE THE STATS - OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

• Record: 16-6
• PS/G: 74.5 (96th)
• PA/G: 66.3 (98th)
• ORtg: 112.8 (20th)
• DRtg: 100.4 (204th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

• IOWA: Keegan Murray - F (23.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg)
• IOWA: Jordan Bohannon - G (10.7 ppg)
• OHST: E.J. Liddell - F (19.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg)
• OHST: Malaki Branham - G (10.7 ppg)

IOWA HAWKEYES VS. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES BETTING CONCLUSION

The Hawkeyes struggled badly from three in their most recent game, while Ohio State is coming off an impressive 25-point victory over Minnesota. This one should be back and forth throughout with potential for a very high scoring game. I like Iowa to get their shooting back on track and keep it close enough to cover, if not win outright. Backing Iowa and the points. 

IOWA HAWKEYES VS. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES BETTING TRENDS

• Ohio State has covered the spread in two straight games. 
• Iowa has failed to cover the spread in four of its last six road games.
• Iowa has gone UNDER the point total in 10 of its last 15 road games.