Indiana vs Ohio State Odds
| Indiana Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Total Points | Moneyline |
+5.5 -110 | 141.5 -110o / -110u | +200 |
| Ohio State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Total Points | Moneyline |
-5.5 -110 | 141.5 -110o / -110u | -250 |
Below, we have college basketball odds and a pick for Indiana vs. Ohio State.
Two slumping Big Ten teams will meet with nowhere left to turn on Tuesday, as the Indiana Hoosiers hit the road to face the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Both teams find themselves near the bottom of the Big Ten standings, and their seasons have fallen apart in recent weeks.
Indiana was picked in the upper half of the Big Ten standings in the preseason, but injuries and a lack of backcourt options have left this team reeling. The Hoosiers have now lost four of their last five games, including four straight losses on the road against Big Ten opponents.
Like the Hoosiers, the Buckeyes were also one of the consensus teams projected to make the NCAA Tournament from this conference before the season began.
After an impressive 12-2 start to the season, everything has imploded for Ohio State after the start of conference play. OSU has now lost seven of its last eight games, with its only win in that span being a home victory over Penn State.
This contest essentially serves as an elimination game for any outside hopes of playing in the postseason. Despite their recent struggles, there's still a ton of talent at certain spots on both sides.
Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana is one of the most limited perimeter scoring teams in the country, but it knows its limitations and attempts to play to its strengths.
As a team, the Hoosiers shoot just 32% from 3-point range, but they don't attempt many triples on most nights. In fact, only 27% of their shots come from outside.
Starting point guard Xavier Johnson has been in and out of the lineup and has caught the ire of head coach Mike Woodson. Johnson missed Indiana's last game against Penn State, and the Hoosiers had no answers for star Nittany Lions guard Ace Baldwin Jr..
Indiana's one strength is scoring inside, where Malik Reneau and Kel'el Ware give the Hoosiers multiple options that can take advantage of mismatches. They shoot 53% as a team from inside the arc.
For Indiana to hang in this game on the road, their bigs will need to carry the way offensively.
Ohio State Buckeyes
However, that might be a tall task for Indiana's bigs because the biggest strength of Ohio State's defense is its rim protection. OSU ranks 69th nationally at 2-point percentage defense.
Ohio State is much worse at guarding the perimeter, but luckily for the Buckeyes, Indiana doesn't have enough on the perimeter to make the Buckeyes worry.
OSU's offense is good enough to beat anyone on any night. Bruce Thornton has been sensational this season, and alongside Roddy Gayle Jr., Ohio State has one of the most talented guard duos in all of college basketball.
That backcourt tandem has propelled the Buckeyes to a rank of 40th in offensive efficiency.
However, this is the second straight year that Ohio State has hit a midseason slide and strung together long streaks of losses in conference play. Head coach Chris Holtmann now finds himself on the hot seat, and no outcome in this game will change that. It's fair to question if that's hanging over this team right now.
Indiana vs Ohio State
Betting Pick & Prediction
Indiana is just such a limited team. If the Hoosiers' few strengths don't match up with their opponent's weaknesses, they're going to be in for a long night.
Ohio State is too good at protecting the rim for Indiana to stay in this game offensively. Add in the fact that Thornton should have his way with Gabe Cupps on the perimeter, and I'll back Ohio State to cover at home.
