Minnesota at Ohio State Betting Preview – Point Spread Pick

Minnesota (6-8 SU 7-7 ATS) vs. Ohio State (10-5 SU 7-8 ATS)
When: Thursday, January 12th: 6:30 ET
Where: Value City Arena Columbus, OH
TV: FS1
Point Spread: MINNST +14.5/ OHIOST -14.5
Total: 137.0
Money Line: Minnesota Golden Gophers +822/ Ohio State Buckeyes -1524

The Minnesota Golden Gophers travel to Columbus to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in Thursday night college basketball action. The host Buckeyes are a large -14.5 to get the money, with the total line offered up at 137 points.

Line Movement

This line has been jumping back and forth from as high as Ohio State -15.5 to the current consensus line of -14.5. The total opened at 136.5 and has been bet up to 137 at most betting shops, with some hanging a 137.5..

Last Game Info

Minnesota most recently fell to Nebraska (81-79). Not only did the Golden Gophers lose straight-up, but they picked up an ATS defeat as +3 point underdogs. The combined 160 points finished above the 130.5 total line.

Ohio State most recently fell to Maryland (80-73). Not only did the Buckeyes lose straight-up, but they picked up an ATS defeat as +2 point underdogs. The combined 153 points finished above the 136.5 total line.

Current Form

Minnesota
Over their last five games, Minnesota has a straight-up record of 2-3 while going 2-3 vs. the spread. Over this stretch, the Golden Gophers’ offense averages 64.0 points per game while hitting 42.9% of their shots from the field. On the defensive end of the floor, they have allowed opponents to shoot 42.8% from the field while allowing 64.8 points per contest.

Ohio State
In their previous five contests, Ohio State is 3-2 straight up and 3-2 vs. the spread. In these five games, they have a scoring average of 80.0 points per game on a shooting percentage of 50.7%. Defensively, they allow teams to hit 39.1% of their shots while giving up 65.6 points per game.

Average Power Rating Of Opponents Played

This season, the combined power rating of Minnesota’s opponents comes in at 76.6. Conversely, Ohio State’s combined opponent power rating sits at 78.1.

How Does Minnesota Fare On The Road?

For the season, the Golden Gophers have played four road games and have a record of 0-4. In these contests, Minnesota is 3-1 vs. the spread. Offensively, they have averaged 62.2 points per game on a shooting percentage of 41.2%. On defense, the Golden Gophers allow 72.5 points per contest when playing away from home. So far, opposing teams have a field goal percentage of 45.1% in these games.

How Does Ohio State Fare At Home?

In their ten games at home, Ohio State has a 5-5 record vs. the spread while going 8-2 straight-up. On offense, the Buckeyes are shooting 50.6% on their home floor, leading to 81.9 points per game. Defensively, opponents are shooting 39.6% in these contests. The Ohio State defense is allowing 63.0 points per game at home.

Offense vs. Defense

For the season, Minnesota is averaging 67.0 points per game (333rd) while posting an overall field goal percentage of 43.8%. In today’s game, they will be matched up against an Ohio State defense that has allowed an average of 65.9 points per contest. This year, opponents have hit 40.4% of their shots vs. Ohio State. On the other side, the Ohio State Buckeyes are coming into the game averaging 73.8 points per game on a shooting percentage of 47.4%. The Buckeyes will be facing a defensive unit allowing an average of 67.5 points per contest. So far, teams have hit 42.4% of their shots vs. the Golden Gophers.

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Three-Point Shooting

From beyond the arc, Minnesota has a shooting percentage of 36.8% while ranking 410th in attempts per game. The Golden Gophers will be facing an Ohio State defense that has a 3-point field goal shooting percentage allowed of 29.5%. Ohio State enters the game having hit 37.3% of their looks from deep while averaging 8.1 made 3’s per game. On the other end, Minnesota has allowed opponents to hit 35.1% of their shots from beyond the arc.

Injuries Of Note

Minnesota

• Isaiah Ihnen (Out) Knee
• Parker Fox (Out) Knee

Ohio State

• Zed Key (Questionable) Shoulder

Pick Against The Spread

It’s difficult to forecast how a team will respond to back-to-back tight losses. This is exactly the situation the Golden Gophers are in today after losing on the road 63-60 against the Badgers and at home in overtime 81-79 to the Cornhuskers. That said, Minnesota is on the improve. After losing their first five games, they won a pair of games over lesser opponents before the two narrow losses. So, what has driven the improvement? Experience. The Gophers have three freshmen playing over 20 minutes a game and another freshman getting over 18. Take Minnesota +14.5.