The No. 22 Ohio State Buckeyes (17-4, 8-0 Big 10) will try to extend their seven-game winning streak against the Nebraska Cornhuskers (14-7, 5-3 Big 10) at Value City Arena. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, January 22, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 141 points with Ohio State set as an 11.5-point favorite.
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio State Buckeyes ATS Prediction
The Cornhuskers will be hoping for similar success after blowing out the No. 23 Michigan Wolverines in their last matchup, 72-52. The Cornhuskers had a solid free throw rate of 0.319 (above their season average of 0.267) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.606 (above their season average of 0.488). Nebraska received a boost from James Palmer Jr., who was the top scorer from either team with 19 points on 5-for-8 shooting.
In the Buckeyes’ last matchup, they easily got past the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 67-49. The Buckeyes had a turnover percentage of 10.2 (better than their season average of 15.7) and held the Golden Gophers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.1 (below their season average of 32.6). Keita Bates-Diop was the game’s high scorer with 17 points on 7-for-21 shooting.
This battle pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defensesOhio State ranks 47th in effective field goal percentage (0.551), while Nebraska is 32nd in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.464).
Nebraska comes into the contest with records of 14-7 straight up (SU) and 13-6 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to place the total high when the Cornhuskers are involved, as 68.4 percent of their games have ended under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Ohio State owns records of 17-4 SU and 11-8 ATS. Games featuring the Buckeyes also tend to go under the total (73.7 percent).
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Cornhuskers won the last contest 58-57. Nebraska had a much better turnover percentage (16.9 vs. 24.7). Ohio State, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of making free throws (14-20; 70.0 percent).
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio State Buckeyes Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Ohio State, ATS Winner – Nebraska, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Nebraska is 5-4 ATS on the road with 6 unders and 3 overs.
Ohio State is 5-5 ATS at home with 8 unders and 2 overs.
Ohio State ranks 42nd in rebounds allowed per game (32.1) while Nebraska ranks 247th (39.3).
The Cornhuskers rank 30th in three pointers allowed per game (18.5) while the Buckeyes rank 215th (24.0).
Ohio State ranks 28th in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while Nebraska ranks 114th (3.8).
The Cornhuskers and Buckeyes average 5.1 steals allowed per game, which ranks 26th in the nation.
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Nebraska is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Ohio State is 5-0 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Cornhuskers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.2, down from 4.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Buckeyes have scored an average of 75.4 points per game (3.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 58.6 points per game (7.6 below their season average).
