Offense meets defense when the Iowa Hawkeyes (13-3, 2-3 Big 10) welcome the No. 16 Ohio State Buckeyes (12-3, 2-2 Big 10) to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game gets underway at 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 12, 2019.
Ohio State Buckeyes at Iowa Hawkeyes ATS Prediction
The last time the Buckeyes played, they were defeated by the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 64-61. Rutgers’ 0.283 free throw rate was their largest advantage over Ohio State, who had a rate of 0.121. The Scarlet Knights’ mark was above their season average of 0.178, while the Buckeyes’ was below their season average of 0.315. Kaleb Wesson was the game’s high scorer with 18 points on 6-for-14 shooting.
The Hawkeyes defeated the Northwestern Wildcats in their last matchup, 73-63. The Hawkeyes knocked down 21 of their 26 free throws (80.8 percent) and held the Wildcats to an offensive rebounding percentage of 19.4 (below their season average of 28.3). Joe Wieskamp was the top scorer from either team with 19 points on 7-for-11 shooting from the field.
After the Buckeyes won both matchups against the Hawkeyes last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last contest, Ohio State won 82-64. The Buckeyes made 15 of their 21 free throws (71.4 percent) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.609 vs. 0.475).
This showdown pits one of the country’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Iowa currently ranks 14th in offensive efficiency and Ohio State ranks 59th in defensive efficiency. Furthermore, the Buckeyes rank 21st in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.302), while the Hawkeyes rank 49th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.186).
Ohio State vs. Iowa Odds Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Iowa, ATS Winner – Iowa, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Ohio State ranks 13th in assists allowed per game (9.9) while Iowa ranks 196th (15.0).
The Buckeyes rank 17th in steals allowed per game (4.9) while the Hawkeyes rank 83rd (6.2).
Iowa is seventh in the nation with 1.9 blocks allowed per game while Ohio State is 56th with 2.9 blocks allowed per game.
The Buckeyes rank 171st in three pointers attempted per game (21.0) while the Hawkeyes rank 181st in three pointers allowed per game (23.9).
Bettings Trends:
The Buckeyes’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.8, down from 13.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hawkeyes have scored an average of 83.6 points per game (1.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 72.8 points per game (0.6 above their season average).
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