Ohio State vs. Rutgers Pick & Predictions | Mar 10

When: Sunday, March 10th, 2:00 PM (ET)

Where: Jersey Mike’s Arena, NJ, Piscataway

TV: BTN

Point Spread: OSU -1/Rut +1

Total: 134

Money Line: Ohio State Buckeyes -114/-107

Notable Injuries

Buckeyes

Scarlet Knights

• Mawot Mag (Questionable) Undisclosed
• Oskar Palmquist (Questionable) Undisclosed

Recent Form

Ohio State is favored in this one, as they have been in 20 games this season, going 15-5 in those games. They have a record of 18-12 overall, including a 8-11 mark in Big Ten play. The Buckeyes have won three straight games, and their most recent game was an 84-61 win over Michigan.

On the road this season, Ohio State has gone 4-8, and their average scoring margin in those games is -2.7. Their record at home is much better, as they are 14-4 with an average scoring margin of +10.0. Over their last 10 road games, the Buckeyes are 3-7.

This season, the over/under record for Ohio State games is 17-13, and today’s line of 134 is lower than the average over/under line in their games (143.4). Over their last three games, the average scoring total is 136 points, and their OU record over their last 10 games is 6-4.

Ohio State has an ATS record of 13-17 this season, and they are 8-12 vs. the spread when favored. On the road, the Buckeyes have gone 5-7 vs. the spread this year, and their last 3 road ATS record is 2-1.

At home this season, Rutgers has gone 12-6, and over their last 10 games at home, they have a record of 6-4. The Scarlet Knights are coming off a 78-66 loss to Wisconsin, and they have lost two games in a row.

So far this season, Rutgers has gone 15-15, and in Big Ten play, they have a record of 7-12. As the underdog, the Scarlet Knights are 4-11, and overall, they have gone 11-4 when favored.

This season, the over/under record for Rutgers games is 10-20, and today’s line of 134 is lower than the average over/under line in their games (137). Over their last three games, the average scoring total is 133 points, and their OU record over their last 10 games is 4-6.

As the underdog, Rutgers has gone just 6-9 vs. the spread this season, and their overall ATS record is just 13-17. Their home ATS mark is 9-9, and over their last 10 games as the underdog, they are 4-6 vs. the spread.

Analysis

In their latest game, Ohio State’s offense put up 84 points against Michigan. They recorded an overall field goal percentage of 56.2% and made 5 threes. Bruce Thornton is the current leading scorer for the team, with an average of 16.2 as they approach today’s matchup. In addition, Jamison Battle brings a PPG average of 14.6 into the game.

At this time, the Buckeyes’ defense is positioned 110th in the country, permitting 69.6 points per game. On average, opposing teams are hitting 6.9 threes per game vs. Rutgers. This has come on a three-point shooting percentage of 34.4%.

The Rutgers offense is coming off a game where they scored 66 points against Wisconsin. They posted a field goal percentage of 44.6% and connected on 7 threes. Currently leading the team in scoring is Clifford Omoruyi, who comes into today’s matchup averaging 10.7. Aundre Hyatt also heads into the game with a PPG average of 10.4.

In the current season, the Rutgers defense has excelled, sitting 40th in the nation by allowing 66.4 points per game. Against Wisconsin in their most recent game, the Rutgers defense gave up a total of 78 points while allowing Wisconsin to hit 45% of their shots.

Betting Trends

• Across the Buckeyes’ last ten road games, the team averaged 67 points per game while allowing 73. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 4-6, while going 3-7 straight-up.
• In their last five games at home, the Scarlet Knights have a straight-up record of 1-4 while going 1-4 vs. the spread. The team averaged 63 points per game in this stretch.
• Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, Rutgers has an ATS mark of 0-3 while going 0-3 straight up.
• The Buckeyes have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 4-1 straight up and 4-1 against the spread.

Rich’s Pick To Cover The Spread

The Buckeyes defense has been the key to their late season success and I think that should travel well. Take Ohio State -1.5