Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 15-11 (7-8) this year after they lost to Michigan by a score of 86-83 in their last game. Ohio State trailed 44-39 at halftime, but they scored 44 points in the second half, before missing a wide open shot that would have tied the game. The Buckeyes shot 45.9% from the field, 36% on three pointers, and 66.7% on free throws in the game. Devin Royal led Ohio State with 26 points and five rebounds, while Bruce Thornton added 17 points and six assists in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Buckeyes defeated Washington by a score of 93-69, but did lose to Nebraska by a score of 79-71 before that. Ohio State has alternated wins and losses over their last six games and they are currently a half game below .500 in the Big Ten standings. Ohio State has scored 80.0 points per game and they have allowed 72.1 points against per game, while also averaging 34.7 rebounds and 13.3 assists per game this season. Bruce Thornton is averaging 17.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, while Devin Royal is averaging 14.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game this year. Ohio State is shooting 47.6% from the field, 73.9% on free throws, and 38.3% on three pointers this season. 

Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview

The Northwestern Wildcats are 13-13 (4-11) this season after they lost to Nebraska by a score of 68-64 in their last game. Northwestern led 36-21 at halftime, but they were outscored 47-28 in the second half for the loss. The Wildcats shot 36.1% from the field, 35% on three pointers, and 62.5% on free throws in the game. Nick Martinelli led Northwestern with 23 points and nine rebounds, while Ty Berry added 23 points and two rebounds in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Wildcats lost to Oregon by a score of 81-75 and Washington by a score of 76-71. Northwestern has lost six of their last seven games and they are currently second to last in the Big Ten standings with a 4-11 record. Northwestern has scored 73.5 points per game and they have allowed 70.5 points against per game, while also averaging 34.2 rebounds and 14.6 assists per game this season. Nick Martinelli is averaging 19.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, while Ty Berry is averaging 10.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game this year. Northwestern is shooting 44.1% from the field, 72.8% on free throws, and 33.8% on three pointers this season. 

Why Ohio State will beat Northwestern

• Northwestern has lost each of its last eight road games against the Big Ten Conference.
• Ohio State has won seven of its last eight night games at Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Ohio State has won the first half in each of its last 11 home games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Ohio State’s last nine games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 143+ points.
• Each of Northwestern’s last eight night games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 147+ points.

Ohio State vs Northwestern Prediction 

Northwestern comes into this matchup after losing six of their last seven games and they will be back on the road here. The Wildcats are dealing with injuries to some key players and they are just 0-7 in their last seven road games. Northwestern has struggled defensively over the last few weeks, as they have allowed at least 75 points in 10 of their last 13 games. Ohio State has had trouble stringing wins together over the last few weeks, but they cannot afford a loss in this matchup. The Buckeyes are shooting 47.6% from the field this year and they have also had some defensive issues recently, but I like them in this spot. I don’t think Northwestern can score consistently enough with the injuries they are dealing with, so give me the Buckeyes at home. 

Read the rest of "Ohio State vs Northwestern Prediction 2/20/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Michigan Wolverines vs. Ohio State Buckeyes game let’s review the rules for Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for this afternoon’s Michigan Wolverines vs. Ohio State Buckeyes matchup.

Draftkings NCAA College Basketball Showdown Picks

Captain-Danny Wolf, Guard, Michigan Wolverines $11,200

Junior forward Danny Wolf has certainly been a standout performer for the Michigan Wolverines this season. With that said, how has the talented forward played from a statistical perspective? Let’s review Danny Wolf’s game data from the 2024 NCAA regular season to answer that question.

In the 24 games that forward Danny Wolf has played for the Michigan Wolverines in the 2024 NCAA regular season, Wolf is averaging a robust 12.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 blocks and 0.8 steals a game.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the 24 games that Danny Wolf has played for the Michigan Wolverines this season, Wolf has compiled a 51.4% field goal percentage, a 37.1 three-point percentage and a 62.8% free throw percentage.

More recently, in the Michigan Wolverines 70-67 win over the Indiana Hoosiers eight days ago, junior forward Danny Wolf played at a high level. More specifically, Wolf tallied 20 points, 13 rebounds, nine rebounds, five assists and one block in the Michigan Wolverines victory over the Indiana Hoosiers.

Examining the data just presented more closely, in the Wolverines win over the Indiana Hoosiers just mentioned, Danny Wolf amassed a rather impressive 40.3 Draftkings points.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NCAA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Keep that in mind as you construct your lineups for this one game Draftkings slate.

In my view, Danny Wolf is the most likely player to post the most Draftkings points in this afternoon’s NCAA regular season game. With that said, I am backing Danny Wolf at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NCAA Showdown contest.

Flex Plays

Bruce Thornton, Guard, Ohio State Buckeyes $12,000

In the 25 games that guard Bruce Thornton has played for the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2024 NCAA regular season, Thornton is averaging 17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.1 steals a game.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the 25 games that Bruce Thornton has played for the Ohio State Buckeyes this season, Thornton has averaged 30.7 Draftkings points a game.

Additional flex plays I like to perform well in this game (Draftkings price noted): Devin Royal, Forward (Ohio State) $7,800: Micah Parrish, Guard (Ohio State) $8,800: Will Tschetter, Forward (Michigan) $3,400.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NCAA Basketball Picks: Michigan vs. Ohio State 2/16/25" at Sports Chat Place

Michigan Wolverines Betting Preview

The Wolverines have a couple of very brief rough spots in the record column so far this year. Overall, however, Michigan is doing quite well against tough competition. An 8-1 start awaited the Wolverines over their first nine outings, with a lone loss to Wake Forest amid wins versus Cleveland State, TCU, Miami Ohio, Tarleton State, Virginia Tech, Xavier, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Consecutive losses to Arkansas and Oklahoma followed, then came wins over Fort Wayne, Western Kentucky, USC, UCLA, and Washington. Michigan went 1-2 over the next three with a win over Northwestern in between losses to Minnesota and Purdue. Since then it’s been wins over Penn State, Rutgers, Oregon, Indiana, and Purdue in succession. That gives the Wolverines a 19-5 overall record through their first 24 games of the year.

In the Purdue game on Tuesday, the Wolverines were down by two points at the break. Michigan hit a 40-36 run the rest of the way however, eventually pulling out the win 75-73 in dramatic fashion. Leading team scorer Danny Wolf posted 15 points with nine rebounds and two assists. Both Vladislav Goldin (five rebounds; three steals) and Tre Donaldson (three rebounds) chipped in 12 points apiece, and Roddy Gayle led the bench scoring with his 14 points, seven boards and two assists in 27 minutes of work on the floor.

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview

Over on the Ohio State side, they’ve got a couple of choppy runs in the books so far but overall they’re not doing too badly either. The Buckeyes went 6-4 over their first 10 games, taking out Texas, Youngstown State, Evansville, Campbell, Green Bay, and Rutgers among losses to Texas A&M, Pitt, Maryland, and Auburn. Ohio State beat Valparaiso, Kentucky, Indiana State, and Minnesota over the next five (with a loss to Michigan State), then lost to Oregon, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Since then it’s been a 5-2 run with losses to only Illinois and Nebraska. The wins otherwise have been over Purdue, Iowa, Penn State, Maryland and Washington. Through 25 games this year, Ohio State has carved out a 15-10 overall record.

Matched up against Washington in their Wednesday game, the Buckeyes came out of the break with a 51-36 edge. Ohio State hit a 42-33 run the rest of the way and took the eventual win 93-69. John Mobley (two rebounds; two assists) and Micah Parrish (seven rebounds; three assists) led the way with 21 points apiece. Bruce Thornton added 17 points with four rebounds and five assists, while Aaron Bradshaw posted 12 points with three rebounds.

Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win

• Ohio State has won each of its last six day games against the Big Ten Conference at Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center.
• Ohio State has won the first half in each of its last nine day games at Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center.

Why the Michigan Wolverines will win

• Michigan has won each of its last seven day games.
• Ohio State has lost four of its last five day games against AP-ranked opponents.
• Michigan has won the first half in 16 of its last 18 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Seventeen of the last 18 games between Michigan and Ohio State have produced a total of 146 or fewer points.
• Four of Michigan’s last five games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.

Ohio State vs Michigan Prediction

I’m going to take a stab at Ohio State. The Buckeyes are fresh off a dominant win versus a middling Washington team, posting a nice 58.2 percent shooting with a 34-22 rebounding edge and 18-of-22 (81.8 percent) from the line. The 14 turnovers were just about the only blemish to speak of in that home victory. Ohio State has now gone 5-2 in their last seven games amid some difficult teams, scoring 71 or more points in each of those outings.

As for Michigan, they were able to dispatch a talented Purdue team in their last matchup thanks to 44.6 percent shooting. The Wolverines did give up 11 turnovers for 14 Boilermakers points, though. Michigan has won five straight themselves with 70 or more points in four of those. Ohio State is in for a tough matchup here, even in a home game. The Buckeyes are going to have to minimize their mistakes and get off to a quick start in order to keep pace. I like a highly entertaining game on Sunday as the Buckeyes power out an eventual cover. It’ll be a good one to watch regardless.

Read the rest of "Ohio State vs Michigan Prediction 2/16/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 14-10 (6-7) this season after they lost to Nebraska by a score of 79-71 in their last game. Ohio State led 39-34 at halftime, but they were outscored by a total of 45-32 in the second half in the loss. The Buckeyes shot 42.6% from the field, 40% on three-pointers, and 60% on free throws in the game. Micah Parrish led Ohio State with 30 points and four rebounds, while John Mobley Jr. added 21 points and two assists in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Buckeyes defeated Maryland by a score of 73-70 but did lose to Illinois by a score of 87-79 before that. Ohio State has won four of their last six games and they are currently tied for eighth in the Big Ten standings with a 6-7 record. Ohio State has scored 79.3 points per game and they have allowed 71.7 points per game, while also averaging 34.8 rebounds and 13.2 assists per game this season. Bruce Thornton is averaging 17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, while Devin Royal is averaging 13.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game this year. Ohio State is shooting 47.3% from the field, 74% on free throws, and 37.6% on three-pointers this season. 

Washington Huskies Betting Preview

The Washington Huskies are 12-11 (3-9) this year after they defeated Northwestern by a score of 76-71 in their last game. Washington led 39-30 at halftime and they were able to get the win, despite allowing 41 points in the second half. The Huskies shot 52.8% from the field, 36.4% on three-pointers, and 75% on free throws in the game. Tyler Harris led Washington with 18 points and five rebounds, while Great Osobor added 16 points and nine rebounds in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Huskies lost to Nebraska by a score of 86-72 but did beat Minnesota by a score of 71-68 before that. Washington has lost seven of their last nine games and they are currently second to last in the Big Ten standings with a 3-9 record. Washington has scored 71.9 points per game and they have allowed 72.2 points per game, while also averaging 33.8 rebounds and 12.7 assists per game this season. Great Osobor is averaging 15.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, while Tyler Harris is averaging 12.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game this year. Washington is shooting 44.3% from the field, 67.8% on free throws, and 33.2% on three-pointers this season. Washington will take on Penn State and Rutgers after this game. 

Why Ohio State will beat Washington

• Ohio State has won 17 of its last 18 Wednesday games at Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center.
• Washington has lost five of its last six night games.
• Ohio State has won the first half in each of its last 10 home games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Ohio State vs Washington Prediction 

Washington comes into this matchup after winning two of their last three games, but they have played poorly in their last two second halves. The Huskies are near the bottom of the conference standings and they are shooting just 44.2% from the field this year. Ohio State has lost two of their last three games, but they are 2-0 in their last two home games. Ohio State is shooting 47.3% from the field this season and they have scored at least 79 points in three of their last five games. Washington completely collapsed in the second half against Nebraska and they nearly did the same against Northwestern, so I like Ohio State to pull away in the second half for the cover. 

Read the rest of "Ohio State vs Washington Prediction 2/12/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Nebraska Is Heating up

Nebraska is sure heating up heading into this game and they have won three straight games. Over the last three games, they have knocked off Illinois, Oregon, and Washington. In the last game against Washington, they gave up 72 points, but the offense scored 86 points, and that was enough for the 14-point win. The Cornhuskers shot 52.7 percent from the field and 57.9 percent from behind the three-point line. Brice Williams had a huge game putting up 23 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Three different players put up at least 16 points to pace Nebraska. 

Nebraska sits with a 15-8 record overall and they have gone 13-10 against the spread. The over has hit in 11 of the games. Nebraska is averaging 76.1 points while their defense is giving up 71.2 points per game. They like to push the pace, but their defense has been a major problem at times. They do a good job of getting to the line and are averaging 15.74 free throws per game, which is 68th in the league. Brice Williams has been the star of the team, averaging 19.2 points while shooting 47 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from behind the three-point line. 

Why Nebraska Will Beat Ohio State

• Nebraska has won each of its last seven day games against the Big Ten Conference at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Key Game for Ohio State

Ohio State has been super inconsistent as of late, and they need a win here. Over the last three games, Ohio State has picked up two wins and they are coming off a victory in the last game. Ohio State faced off against Maryland, and they were down big at halftime, but they fought back in the second half and were able to pick up the win. Ohio State shot 45.8 percent from the field but only 25 percent from deep. Bruce Thorton put up 31 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Two games ago against Illinois the defense wasn’t good enough and they ended up losing 87-79. 

Ohio State sits with a 14-9 record overall and they have gone 14-9 against the spread. Ohio State is averaging 79.7 points while their defense is giving up 71.3 points per game. They can run up the score, but their defense has been a problem a lot this season. They need the defense to be a whole lot better here. Bruce Thorton is averaging 17.7 points while shooting 52 percent from the field. 

Why Ohio State Will Beat Nebraska

• Ohio State has won seven of its last eight day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Nebraska has lost three of its last four day games.
• Nebraska has lost the first half in three of its last four day games against the Big Ten Conference.

Nebraska vs Ohio State Prediction

I expect this is going to be a very competitive game and I don’t have a play one way or the other, but I do have a strong play on the total. Both teams have playmakers all over the court, and both teams will score plenty of points. Ohio State is averaging 7.7 points per game and they are going to get out to a fast start. Nebraska is going to keep up with their offense, and this game will be a shootout. This game is going to go over at least 150 points. 

Read the rest of "Nebraska vs Ohio State Prediction 2/9/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Big Game for Ohio State

Ohio State is trying to string together some big wins and if they want to make a run at the NCAA Tournament, this is really a game that they need to win. In the last game against Illinois, Ohio State scored 79 points, but the defense gave up 87 points and that led to the defeat. At halftime, they were actually up 42-36 and they looked like they were well on the way to the victory, but in the second half, they fell off. Ohio State shot 37 percent from the field but from deep they were good shooting 47.8 percent from deep.

Ohio State comes into this game with a 13-9 record overall and they have gone 13-9 against the spread. The over has hit in 10 of the 22 games so far this season. Ohio State is averaging 80 points while their defense is giving up 71.4 points per game. The offense is ranked 53rd in the league while the defense is ranked 179th in the league. This game they are going to need to get the offense out to a fast start, but they are also going to need to play a more complete game. Bruce Thorton has been the top player for Ohio State averaging 17.1 points while shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 45.9 percent from behind the three-point line. 

Should Maryland Be Getting More Attention

Maryland probably should be getting more attention as they have stayed hot and now look like they could be one of the better teams in college basketball. Maryland has won four games in a row and the last one was probably most impressive. Maryland put up 76 points against a very good Wisconsin team and that was enough for the victory. Maryland shot 40 percent from the field and 50 percent from deep. It was a balanced attack with all five starters putting up at least 12 points. Rodney Rice was the leader of the squad putting up 16 points, two assists, and one rebound. 

Maryland sits with a 17-5 record overall and they have gone 11-11 against the spread. The over has hit in 13 of the games. Maryland is averaging 83 points, while their defense is giving up 65.5 points per game. The offense is ranked 20th in the league while the defense is ranked 35th. The offense might grab the headlines, but this is a very talented defense, and that’s what might allow them a deep run in March. Center Derik Queen has been the top player for the team putting up 15 points while shooting 53.4 percent from the field.

Why Maryland Will Beat Ohio State

• Maryland has won each of its last four games.
• Ohio State has lost six of its last eight home night games against the Big Ten Conference.

Ohio State vs Maryland Prediction

Yes, Maryland hasn’t been as good of a team on the road, but they are still the better team, especially as the underdog. We are talking about an Ohio State defense that is giving up 71.4 points per game and their defense is going to be a major issue in this game. This Maryland team has a balanced attack and it’s going to be that balanced squad that is going to have no issue running up the score here. Look for another big game from all the starters, and they will come out on top. Back Maryland against the spread. 

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Ohio State Recap

The Ohio State Buckeyes come into this game looking to add on to their 83-64 win over Penn State last time out to improve to 13-8 on the year. After this game, Ohio State will head home for a game against Maryland.

Buckeyes Win Third Straight

Bruce Thornton leads the Buckeyes in scoring with 17 PPG and in assists with 4.1 APG while John Mobley Jr. has 12.6 PPG. Micah Parrish has 11.6 PPG with 4.6 RPG while Devin Royal has 13.9 PPG with a team-high 7.4 RPG to lead Ohio State on the glass and to finish off the group of double-digit scorers for Ohio State up to this point in the year. Meechie Johnson Jr.’s added 9.1 PPG with 2.5 RPG and 2.7 APG and Aaron Bradshaw’s chipped in 7.1 PPG and 2.9 RPG this season. As a team, Ohio State is averaging 80 PPG on 48.2% shooting from the field, 37.3% from three, and 73.4% from the foul line this season.

Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win

• Ohio State has won each of its last seven day games against the Big Ten Conference.
• Illinois has lost three of its last four games.

Illinois Recap

The Illinois Fighting Illini come into this game looking to bounce back from an 80-74 loss to Nebraska last time out to sit at 14-7 on the year. After this game, Illinois will head on the road to take on Rutgers.

Fighting Illini Lose 3 Of Last 4

Kasparas Jakucionis leads the Illini in scoring and assists with 16 PPG and 5.4 APG along with 5.8 RPG while Tomislav Ivisic has 13 PPG with a team-high 8.5 RPG to lead the Illini in rebounding up to this point in the year, but looks to still be missing time because of mono. Will Riley has 10.4 PPG with 3.6 RPG and Kylan Boswell has 12 PPG with 5.4 RPG and 3.7 APG. Tre White also has 10.2 PPG with 5 RPG to cap off the scoring in double figures for Illinois so far this season and Ben Humrichous has 8.5 PPG as well on the year. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn also has 8 PPG as well this season. As a team, Illinois is averaging 85.2 PPG on 44.1% shooting from the field, 31.4% from three, and 75.3% from the foul line this season.

Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win

• Illinois has won 10 of its last 11 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Ohio State has lost six of its last eight day games against AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Ohio State’s last 11 games against AP-ranked opponents has produced a total of 152 or fewer points.
• Eight of Illinois’ last nine day games against the Big Ten Conference have produced a total of 157+ points.

Illinois vs Ohio State Prediction

I’m on Ohio State and the points here. I have to say I’m pretty impressed with what Ohio State’s been bringing to the table as of late from a cover perspective, and home court in the Big Ten has not been as strong of an angle in recent weeks. I just feel like this is a 4-point game, something in the ballpark of 79-75 so I’ll take my chances on Ohio State and the points in this one while sprinkling a little bit on Ohio State ML.

Read the rest of "Illinois vs Ohio State Prediction 2/2/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Preview

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 13-8 (3-7) this year after they lost to Michigan by a score of 76-72 in their last game. Penn State was tied at 35 at halftime and had a lead in the final minutes of the game, but they were outscored 9-0 to end the game with a loss. The Nittany Lions shot 49% from the field, 47.4% on three-pointers, and 81.3% on free throws in the game. Nick Kern Jr. led Penn State with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Ace Baldwin Jr. added 15 points and six assists in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Nittany Lions lost to Iowa by a score of 76-75 but did beat Rutgers by a score of 80-72 before that. Penn State has lost six of their last seven games and they are currently near the bottom of the Big Ten standings. Penn State has scored 83.2 points per game and they have allowed 72.1 points per game, while also averaging 35.1 rebounds and 16.9 assists per game this season. Ace Baldwin Jr. is averaging 14.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game, while Nick Kern Jr. is averaging 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game this year. Penn State is shooting 48.8% from the field, 75.9% on free throws, and 34.7% on three-pointers this season. Penn State will face Minnesota and UCLA following this one.

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 12-8 (4-5) this season after they defeated Iowa by a score of 82-65 in their last game. Ohio State led 30-26 at halftime and added 52 points in the second half for the win. The Buckeyes shot 48.4% from the field, 29.6% on three-pointers, and 73.7% on free throws in the game. Micah Parrish led Ohio State with 18 points and six rebounds, while Bruce Thornton added 15 points and eight rebounds in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Buckeyes defeated Purdue by a score of 73-70 but did lose to Indiana by a score of 77-76 before that. Ohio State has lost three of their last five games and they are currently 1.5 games ahead of Penn State in the Big Ten standings. Ohio State has scored 79.9 points per game and they have allowed 71.0 points per game, while also averaging 35.3 rebounds and 13.9 assists per game this season. Bruce Thornton is averaging 17.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, while Devin Royal is averaging 13.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game this year. Ohio State is shooting 48.3% from the field, 73.4% on free throws, and 37.3% on three-pointers this season. Ohio State will meet Illinois after this game.

Why Penn State will beat Ohio State

• The home team has won each of Penn State’s last four games.
• Ohio State has lost 15 of its last 20 night games against the Big Ten Conference.
• The home team has won the first half in each of Ohio State’s last six games.

Penn State vs Ohio State Prediction 

Ohio State comes into this matchup on a two-game winning streak and they have some positive momentum, but they will be on the road for this game. The Buckeyes did win their last road game against Purdue, but they have struggled in their other road games this season. Penn State has lost six of their last seven games, but they have played better than that record would suggest. The Nittany Lions had a late lead on Michigan, lost to Iowa by one, lost to MSU by five, and lost to Oregon by one in their last five games, so they are just a few plays away from having 3-4 more wins. It is never easy to beat Penn State at home and I think they are going to finally close out a game here. Take the Nittany Lions to win at home. 

Read the rest of "Penn State vs Ohio State Prediction 1/30/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 11-8 (3-5) this year after they defeated Purdue by a score of 73-70 in their last game. Ohio State trailed 41-28 at halftime, but they outscored Purdue 45-29 in the second half for the win. The Buckeyes shot 53.3% from the field, 47.8% on three-pointers, and 82.4% on free throws in the game. Micah Parrish led Ohio State with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Devin Royal added 16 points and six rebounds in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Buckeyes lost to Indiana by a score of 77-76 and Wisconsin by a score of 70-68. Ohio State has lost three of their last four games and they are currently in the middle of the Big Ten standings with a 3-5 record. Ohio State has scored 79.7 points per game and they have allowed 71.3 points per game, while also averaging 34.9 rebounds and 13.8 assists per game this season. Bruce Thornton is averaging 17.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, while Devin Royal is averaging 13.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game this year. Ohio State is shooting 48.3% from the field, 73.4% on free throws, and 37.8% on three-pointers this season. 

Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview

The Iowa Hawkeyes are 13-7 (4-5) this season after they defeated Penn State by a score of 76-75 in their last game. Iowa led 43-38 at halftime, but they only scored 33 points in the second half in the win. The Hawkeyes shot 50% from the field, 47.8% on three-pointers, and 60% on free throws in the game. Owen Freeman led Iowa with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Drew Thelwell added 16 points and five rebounds in the win. 

Prior to that game, the Hawkeyes lost to Minnesota by a score of 72-67 and UCLA by a score of 94-70. Iowa has lost three of their last four games and they are currently a half game up on Ohio State in the Big Ten standings. Iowa has scored 86.8 points per game and they have allowed 78.4 points per game, while also averaging 32.4 rebounds and 19.5 assists per game this season. Owen Freeman is averaging 16.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, while Payton Sandfort is averaging 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game this year. Iowa is shooting 50.5% from the field, 68.7% on free throws, and 39.1% on three-pointers this season. 

Why Ohio State will beat Iowa

• Ohio State has won each of its last 18 Monday night games.
• Iowa has lost eight of its last nine road night games against the Big Ten Conference.
• Ohio State has won the first half in 23 of its last 24 games at Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why Iowa will beat Ohio State

• Ohio State has lost six of its last seven night games against the Big Ten Conference at Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center.
• The road team has won five of Ohio State’s last six games.
• Ohio State has lost the first half in six of its last eight night games against the Big Ten Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Ohio State’s last nine home games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 154 or fewer points.
• Each of Iowa’s last seven road games has produced a total of 164+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Ohio State ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (4.3).
• Ohio State ranks 25th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (29.2%).
• Iowa ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for assist-to-turnover ratio this season (1.87).
• Iowa ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for field goals made per game this season (32.0).

Ohio State vs Iowa Prediction 

Ohio State was able to snap their losing streak with a win over Purdue in their last game and they will be at home for this contest. The Buckeyes are shooting 48.3% from the field this year and they have scored at least 71 points in four of their last five games. Iowa has also lost three of their last four games, but they did beat Penn State last time out. The Hawkeyes are shooting over 50% from the field, but their defense has been atrocious this season. We have seen Iowa allow 94 and 99 points in their last two road games and I think we are going to see another very high-scoring game here. Take the over in this game. 

Read the rest of "Ohio State vs Iowa Prediction 1/27/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview

The Ohio State Buckeyes lost to Wisconsin and Indiana, and they play Iowa, Penn State, and Illinois next. The Ohio State Buckeyes are averaging 80.1 points on 48 percent shooting and allowing 71.4 points on 39.5 percent shooting. Bruce Thornton is averaging 17.4 points and 2.9 rebounds, while Devin Royal is averaging 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds. John Mobley Jr. is the third double-digit scorer and Micah Parrish is grabbing 4.5 rebounds. The Ohio State Buckeyes are shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc and 73 percent from the free throw line. The Ohio State Buckeyes are allowing 29 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.9 rebounds per game.

Purdue Boilermakers Betting Preview

The Purdue Boilermakers beat Washington and Oregon, and they play Michigan, Indiana, and Iowa next. The Purdue Boilermakers are averaging 77.2 points on 49 percent shooting and allowing 67.4 points on 42.9 percent shooting. Trey Kaufman-Renn is averaging 17.9 points and 6.5 rebounds, while Braden Smith is averaging 15.1 points and 4.6 rebounds. Fletcher Loyer is the third double-digit scorer and Daniel Jacobson is grabbing 3.5 rebounds. The Purdue Boilermakers are shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc and 72.2 percent from the free throw line. The Purdue Boilermakers are allowing 30.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 30.4 rebounds per game.

Purdue vs Ohio State Injury Report

Purdue won’t have Daniel Jacobsen for the rest of the season. Ohio State will be without Meechie Johnson Jr., while Devin Royal and Braylen Nash are questionable.

Purdue vs Ohio State Prediction

The Ohio State Buckeyes have lost each of their last three games, and that includes losses to Indiana and Utah in their favorite role. The Purdue Boilermakers are 6-0 SU and ATS in their last six games. Purdue has allowed less than 70 points in seven straight games and just beat the Oregon team on the road that Ohio State lost to at home. Sports math isn’t something you should factor into your capping all the time, but it’s just another indication of Purdue being a tier or two above Ohio State this season. Purdue is also 9-0 SU at home. Give me Purdue in a home beatdown in a Big Ten clash on Tuesday night. 

Read the rest of "Purdue vs Ohio State Prediction 1/21/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Ohio State Keeps Falling Short

Three games ago against Minnesota, it took overtime to come away with a one-point victory over Minnesota. Two games ago against Oregon, Ohio State was defeated 73-71 and in the last game against Wisconsin, they were defied 70-68. In the second half, they outscored Wisconsin 48-33 but that led to the defeat. Ohio State shot 42.4 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from behind the three-point line. Bruce Thorton had another strong game putting up 21 points, three assists, and two rebounds. 

Ohio State on the season is averaging 80.4 points while their defense is giving up 71.1 points per game. The offense is ranked 66th in the league while the defense is ranked 173rd. They are shooting 48.2 percent from the field which is 45th in the league. They are shooting 37.09 percent from behind the three-point line which is 47th in the league. Bruce Thorton has been the top player, averaging 17.4 points while shooting 53.1 percent from the field. Ohio State will meet Purdue and Iowa after this game. 

Why Ohio State Will Beat Indiana

• Ohio State has won 22 of its last 25 games at Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Indiana has lost the first half in six of its last seven games at Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center.

Indiana is in Trouble

Indiana is in trouble and it’s never good when the student section is chanting for the coach to be fired. In the last game, Indiana faced off against Illinois in the last game and they scored 69 points, but the defense gave up 94 points and that led to the defeat. Indiana shot 38.5 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from behind the three-point line. Oumar Ballo was the top player putting up 16 points, 15 rebounds, and one assist. 

Indiana is averaging 77.5 points while their defense is giving up 72.3 points per game. The offense is ranked 116th in the league while the defense is ranked 218th. They are shooting 46.7 percent from the field. Oumar Bello has been the top player for the Hoosiers, averaging 14.1 points while shooting 67.9 percent from the field. There are four different players that are averaging at least 12.3 points per game. 

Ohio State vs Indiana Prediction

Ohio State is going to have no issue running up the score enough and even though the last couple of games have been close, they are going to find success here. Indiana is averaging 77.5 points per game, but their defense is going to struggle here, and that is going to be the difference here. Indiana’s offense isn’t going to be good enough here, and Ohio State will get the job done here. 

Read the rest of "Ohio State vs Indiana Prediction 1/17/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Indiana Hoosiers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes game let’s review the rules for Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for this tomorrow evening’s Indiana Hoosiers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes matchup.

Draftkings NCAA College Basketball Picks

Captain-Bruce Thornton, Guard, Ohio State Buckeyes $11,000

Guard Bruce Thornton has certainly been a solid player for the Ohio State Buckeyes this season. With that said, how has the talented young guard performed from a statistical perspective in 2024? Let’s review Bruce Thornton’s game data from the 2024 NCAA regular season to answer that question.

In the 17 games that guard Bruce Thornton has played for the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2024 NCAA regular season, Thornton is averaging a robust 17.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.1 steals a game.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the 17 games that Bruce Thornton has played for the Ohio State Buckeyes this season, Thornton has compiled a field goal percentage of 53.1%, a three-point percentage of 37.5% and a free throw percentage of 81.2%.

More recently, in the Wisconsin Badgers 70-68 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes two days ago, Bruce Thornton played exceptionally well. More specifically, Thornton accumulated a massive 21 points, two rebounds, three assists and one steal in the Badgers victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Examining the data just presented more closely, in the Wisconsin Badgers win over the Buckeyes, Bruce Thornton tallied 30.1 Draftkings points.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NCAA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Keep that in mind as you construct your lineups for this one game Draftkings slate.

In my view, Bruce Thornton is the most likely player to post the most Draftkings points in tomorrow evening’s NCAA regular season game. Having stated that, I am backing Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NCAA Showdown contest.

Flex Plays

Devin Royal, Forward, Ohio State Buckeyes $10,000

In the 17 games that forward Devin Royal has played for the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2024 NCAA regular season, Royal is averaging 13.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.5 blocks a game.

Additional flex plays I like to perform well in this game (Draftkings price noted): Myles Rice, Guard (Indiana Hoosiers) $8,600: Oumar Ballo, Forward (Indiana Hoosiers) $11,800.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NCAA Basketball Picks: Indiana vs. Ohio State 1/17/25" at Sports Chat Place

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Preview

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are 14-1 this year after they defeated Penn State by a score of 27-24 in their last game. Notre Dame trailed 10-0 in the second quarter and 24-17 in the fourth, but they scored the last 10 points in the game for the win. The Fighting Irish out gained Penn State by a total of 384-339, lost the turnover battle 2-1, and went 11-17 on third down in the game. Riley Leonard threw for 223 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while Jaden Greathouse caught seven passes for 105 yards and one touchdown in the win. 

Prior to that win, the Fighting Irish defeated Georgia by a score of 23-10 and Indiana by a score of 27-17. Notre Dame has won 13 games in a row and they have scored at least 27 points in all 13 wins. The Notre Dame offense has scored 38.5 points per game with 194.3 passing yards and 210.8 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 14.3 points against per game this year. Riley Leonard has completed 66.4% of his passes for 2,606 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, while Jeremiyah Love has rushed for 1,122 yards and 17 scores this year. 

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 13-2 (7-2) this season after they defeated Texas by a score of 28-14 in their last game. Ohio State led 14-7 at halftime, but they led 21-14 with about three minutes left and Texas on the one yard line, before forcing a fumble and returning it for a touchdown to seal the game. The Buckeyes out gained Texas by a total of 370-341, won the turnover battle 2-1, and went 3-10 on third down in the game. Will Howard threw for 289 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while Carnell Tate caught seven passes for 87 yards in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Buckeyes defeated Oregon by a score of 41-21 and Tennessee by a score of 42-17. Ohio State has won eight of their last nine games, with the lone loss coming in that underwhelming performance against Michigan. As weird as it is to say, that loss to Michigan might have been the best thing to happen to Ohio State, as they have been nearly perfect since that game. The OSU offense has scored 37.4 points per game with 265.1 passing yards and 163.2 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 12.2 points against per game this season. Will Howard has completed 3,779 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while Jeremiah Smith has caught 71 passes for 1,227 yards and 14 scores this year. 

Why Notre Dame will beat Ohio State

• Notre Dame has won each of its last 13 games.
• Notre Dame has covered the spread in each of its last 11 games.
• Ohio State has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games against teams with an AP Ranking of 3.
• Notre Dame has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Notre Dame’s last four Bowl games have gone OVER the total points line.
• Five of Ohio State’s last six Bowl games as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Notre Dame ranks 2nd among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (14.3).
• Notre Dame ranks 2nd among FBS teams for H1 opponent points per game this season (6.5).
• Ohio State ranks 1st among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (12.2).
• Ohio State ranks 1st among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (1.5).

Notre Dame vs Ohio State Prediction 

Ohio State comes into this matchup as a pretty big favorite for a National Championship game, but they have looked very good over their last three games. The Buckeyes held a high-powered Texas offense to just 14 points in their last game and their offense is playing their best ball of the season. Notre Dame struggled to get by Penn State, a team that Ohio State also defeated, but they also have a great defense. The Fighting Irish will need Leonard to make some plays through the air in order to keep this game close, but I do think Notre Dame can copy the defensive game plan from Texas last week and find success. Take the points with Notre Dame here. 

Read the rest of "Notre Dame vs Ohio State Prediction 1-20-25 College Football Picks" at Sports Chat Place

Ohio State Recap

The Ohio State Buckeyes come into this game looking to bounce back from a 73-71 loss to Oregon last time out to fall to 10-6 on the year. After this game, Ohio State will head home to take on Indiana.

Buckeyes Looking For Consistency

Bruce Thornton leads the Buckeyes in scoring with 17.1 PPG and in assists with 4.4 APG while John Mobley Jr. has 12.2 PPG. Micah Parrish has 10.2 PPG with 4.4 RPG while Devin Royal has 13.9 PPG with a team-high 7.4 RPG to lead Ohio State on the glass and to finish off the group of double-digit scorers for Ohio State up to this point in the year. Meechie Johnson Jr.’s added 9.1 PPG with 2.5 RPG and 2.7 APG and Aaron Bradshaw’s chipped in 8 PPG and 3.7 RPG this season. As a team, Ohio State is averaging 81.1 PPG on 48.6% shooting from the field, 37.7% from three, and 72.1% from the foul line this season.

Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win

• The road team has won each of Ohio State’s last three games.

Wisconsin Recap

The Wisconsin Badgers come into this one looking to add on to an 80-59 win over Minnesota last time out to improve to 13-3 on the year. After this game, the Badgers will head on the road to take on USC.

Badgers Win 5^th In A Row

John Tonje leads the Badgers in scoring with 18.3 PPG along with 5.2 RPG while John Blackwell has 15.4 PPG with 4.7 RPG and 2.4 APG. Nolan Winter has 11 PPG with 6.1 RPG to lead the Badgers in rebounding while Max Klesmit has 10.5 PPG with a team-high 3 APG to lead the Badgers in the assist department up to this point in the year. Steven Crowl has 10.3 PPG with 5.6 RPG to cap off the scoring in double figures for Wisconsin so far this season. As a team, Wisconsin is averaging 83.1 PPG on 46.7% shooting from the field, 35.4% from behind the three-point line, and 85.1% from the foul line so far this season.

Why the Wisconsin Badgers will win

• Wisconsin has won 24 of its last 25 games at Kohl Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Ohio State has lost eight of its last nine road games following a home loss.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the last 11 games between Ohio State and Wisconsin has produced a total of 146 or fewer points.
• Each of Ohio State’s last five games against AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 150 or fewer points.

Wisconsin vs Ohio State Prediction

I’m with Wisconsin in this one. The Badgers have been slowly starting to crush it and maybe it feels a bit under the radar, but the Badgers finally have what it’s felt like this team has lacked for the better part of the last few seasons, and that’s top-tier balance on both ends of the floor. More often than not, this Badgers team would play sound fundamental, and defensive-minded basketball, but now, the offense is loading up and putting up points in bunches. Ohio State’s had its big moments here and there, but the Buckeyes also tend to leave a lot to be desired at times, especially on the road, and I think that Wisconsin takes care of business at home to snag the win and cover here.

Read the rest of "Wisconsin vs Ohio State Prediction 1/14/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Texas Longhorns game let’s review the rules for Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for tonight’s Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Texas Longhorns matchup.

Draftkings NCAA College Football Showdown Picks

Captain-Will Howard, Quarterback, Ohio State Buckeyes $12,200

In my opinion, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard’s leadership and his ability to perform under pressure have been the most crucial factors in the Buckeyes overall success this season. With that said, how has Howard performed from a statistical perspective in 2024? Let’s examine Howard’s game data from the 2024 NCAA regular season to answer that question.

In the 14 games that Will Howard has played for the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2024 NCAA regular season, Howard has compiled a massive 3,490 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, 165 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.

Last week, in the Ohio State Buckeyes impressive 41-21 playoff win over the Oregon Ducks, Will Howard played exceptionally well. More specifically, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard tallied 319 passing yards and three passing touchdowns.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the Ohio State Buckeyes victory over the Oregon Ducks just mentioned, quarterback Will Howard accumulated a whopping 27.5 Draftkings points. It has to be said, those are the type of DFS numbers I need to see from a player that I select at the captain position.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NCAA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Keep that in mind as you construct your lineups for this one game NCAA DFS Draftkings slate.

For the specific reasons just noted, I am backing Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NCAA Football Showdown contest.

Flex Plays

Jeremiah Smith, Wide Receiver, Ohio State Buckeyes $11,400

In addition to quarterback Will Howard, freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has been a key contributor to the Ohio State Buckeyes offense this season.

In the 14 games that wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has played for the Ohio Buckeyes this season, Johnson has accumulated a robust 70 receptions, 1,224 receiving yards, 14 receiving touchdowns, 52 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown.

In conclusion, I fully expect Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith to continue his outstanding play in this evening’s Cotton Bowl game.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in tonight’s game. (Draftkings price noted): Quinn Ewers, Quarterback (Texas Longhorns) $11,000: Matthew Golden, Wide Receiver (Texas Longhorns) $8,800.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NCAA Football Picks: Ohio State vs. Texas 1/10/25" at Sports Chat Place

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 10-5 (2-2) this season after they defeated Minnesota by a score of 89-88 in double overtime. Ohio State was able to erase a one-point deficit at the half and they scored 25 points in both overtimes to get the one-point win. The Buckeyes shot 42.9% from the field, 27.3% on three-pointers, and 87.9% on free throws in the game. Devin Royal led Ohio State with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Bruce Thornton added 18 points and three assists in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Buckeyes lost to Michigan State by a score of 69-62 but did beat Indiana State by a score of 103-83 before that. Ohio State has won four of their last five games and they opened Big Ten play with a loss to Maryland and a win over Rutgers. Ohio State has scored 81.8 points per game and they have allowed 71 points per game, while also averaging 35.7 rebounds per game and 14.7 assists per game this season. Bruce Thornton is averaging 16.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, while Devin Royal is averaging 14.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game this year. Ohio State is shooting 49% from the field, 71.4% on free throws, and 37.6% on three-pointers this season. 

Oregon Ducks Betting Preview

The Oregon Ducks are 13-2 (2-2) this year after they defeated Maryland by a score of 83-79 in their last game. Oregon trailed 45-42 at halftime, but they held Maryland to 34 points in the second half for the win. The Ducks shot 51.8% from the field, 42.9% on three-pointers, and 86.7% on free throws in the game. Jackson Shelstad led Oregon with 23 points and five rebounds, while Nate Bittle added 16 points and six rebounds in the game. 

Prior to that victory, the Ducks lost to Illinois by a score of 109-77 but did beat Weber State by a score of 89-49 before that. Oregon has won four of their last five games and they opened conference play with a win over USC and a loss to UCLA. Oregon has scored 79.6 points per game and they have allowed 69.4 points per game, while also averaging 37.5 rebounds and 15.3 assists per game this season. Nate Bittle is averaging 13.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, while Jackson Shelstad is averaging 11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game this season. Oregon is shooting 46.6% from the field, 75.3% on free throws, and 34.8% on three-pointers this year. 

Why Ohio State will beat Oregon

• Ohio State has won 14 of its last 16 games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• Oregon has lost four of its last five night games against the Big Ten Conference.
• Oregon has lost the first half in eight of its last nine night games against the Big Ten Conference.

Ohio State vs Oregon Prediction 

Oregon comes into this matchup ranked #15 in the country, but they will be on the road for this Big Ten game. The Ducks were blown out by Illinois two games ago and they needed a big second half to get by Maryland last time out, so they will look for a complete game here. Ohio State barely got by a bad Minnesota team in their last game, but they are shooting 49% from the field and they are scoring nearly 82 points per game. Oregon has some impressive wins over Alabama and Texas A&M earlier in the year, but I am not sure how they are going to handle this long road trip. Take the Buckeyes at home. 

Read the rest of "Ohio State vs Oregon Prediction 1/9/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

The last time these two teams faced off was in 2006 and it was Ohio State that was able to secure the 24-7. 

Ohio State Looks for Real

Remember a couple of games ago when Ohio State was embarrassed by Michigan and the Buckeyes season looked over? Yes I admit I was one of those who was panicking also, but it seems all of that might have been overblown because this team looks like the National Champion favorites. Against the Tennessee Volunteers, Ohio State was up 42-17 and in the last game against the Oregon Ducks, Ohio State was able to secure the 41-21 victory. At halftime, Ohio State was up 34-8 and they never looked back on the way to the victory. Will Howard completed 17 of his 26 passes for 319 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. TreVeyon Henderson had a huge game finishing with eight carries for 94 yards, and two touchdowns. Jeremiah Smith finished with seven catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns. 

Ohio State on the season is averaging 36.4 points while their defense is giving up 12.1 points per game. The offense is ranked 11th in the league while the defense is ranked 1st. On the season, Will Howard has thrown for 3,490 yards, 32 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. 

Why Ohio State Will Beat Texas

• Ohio State has won each of its last four games against top-10 AP-ranked teams.
• Ohio State has covered the spread in each of its last four games as a favorite against top-15 AP-ranked teams.
• Texas has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games against top-15 AP-ranked teams.

Texas Just Escaped In Last Game

Texas just escaped in the last game against Arizona State. Texas up 17-3 at halftime and they looked to be in good shape on the way to a blowout. In the second half though they blew it, and it took double overtime to get the job done. Quinn Ewers completed 20 of his 30 passes 322 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Wide receiver Matthew Golden finished with seven catches for 149 yards and a touchdown. Two games ago against Clemson they scored 38 points on the way to the 14 point victory. 

Texas on the season is averaging 34.3 points while their defense is giving up 14.5 points per game. The offense is ranked 21st while the defense is ranked 4th. Ewers on the season has thrown for 3,189 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. In this game, if they want to succeed, they need to get out to a fast start again, but then they can’t take their foot off the gas. 

Total Point Facts

• Each of Texas’ last five Bowl games as an underdog have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Each of Ohio State’s last four games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Texas ranks T2nd among FBS teams for interceptions this season (21).
• Texas ranks 3rd among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (1.8).
• Ohio State ranks 1st among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (4.6).
• Ohio State ranks 1st among FBS teams for yards allowed per game this season (244.6).

Texas vs Ohio State Prediction

I expect this game is going to be competitive, but Ohio State just feels like a juggernaut right now, and I don’t think anyone can slow them down. The Texas defense couldn’t stop anything in the second half and they are going to really struggle again here. Will Howard has all kinds of confidence right now and they are going to have no issue running up the score here. Look for the Buckeyes offense to get out to a fast start, Texas is going to have no answer, and this will be ugly. Quinn Ewers is also going to throw a couple of interceptions, and Ohio State will cover it. Back Ohio State against the spread here.

Read the rest of "Texas vs Ohio State Prediction 1-10-25 College Football Picks" at Sports Chat Place

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview

The Buckeyes got their season started with a nice run over the first six games. The only loss in that span came to a good Texas A&M team. Otherwise, Ohio State took wins over Texas, Youngstown State, Evansville, Campbell, and Green Bay. A rough 1-3 stretch ensued after that for the Buckeyes, though. The lone win in that time came versus Rutgers. Otherwise, it was losses to Pittsburgh, Maryland, and Auburn. Following a three-game win streak over Valparaiso, Kentucky, and Indiana State in succession, the Buckeyes fell in their most recent outing versus Michigan State for a 9-5 record thus far on the season.

In the Michigan State matchup back on Friday, the Buckeyes were looking at a 37-29 deficit on the scoreboard following the first half. Ohio State did get slightly better from there but it wasn’t enough. The Buckeyes notched a 33-32 second-half run for a 69-62 defeat in the end. Leading the team in scoring during the loss was Micah Parrish with 13 points, two rebounds, and a steal. Also in double-figures was Bruce Thornton with 10 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals alongside five turnovers (a team-high). Leading the team off the bench was Ques Glover, who contributed nine points, four rebounds, and one assist in 24 minutes. Ohio State will meet Oregon and Wisconsin after this game. 

Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Preview

Over on the Minnesota side, they also opened on a solid run over their first half-dozen outings. The Gophers similarly went 5-1 in that stretch, taking a lone three-point loss to North Texas on November 13. Otherwise, it was wins over Oral Roberts, Omaha, Yale, Cleveland State, and Central Michigan at that time. Minnesota hit a 1-4 stretch in the next five games during a tough run, however. In that time the Gophers beat Bethune-Cookman and otherwise fell to Wichita State, Wake Forest, Michigan State, and Indiana. Minnesota would get back on track with wins over Fairleigh Dickinson and Morgan State prior to a huge loss versus Purdue.

Matched up against the Boilermakers in their Thursday game, the Golden Gophers were trailing by a very modest 28-27 deficit by halftime. Minnesota lost their footing completely in the second half however, falling behind on a 53-34 deficit and eventually losing big 81-61. Dawson Garcia was the team’s top scorer with 20 points, five rebounds and two assists alongside a lone block. Lu’Cye Patterson added 14 points with eight boards and three assists in 32 minutes. Tops off the bench was Isaac Asuma with seven points, four boards and two assists with one steal in 24 minutes on the court.

Why the Minnesota Golden Gophers will win

• Ohio State has lost each of its last eight road games following a home loss.
• Minnesota has won each of its last four home games when playing with a rest advantage.
• Minnesota has won the first half in four of its last five home games against Ohio State at Williams Arena.

Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win

• Ohio State has won each of its last 17 Monday night games.
• Minnesota has lost each of its last seven night games against the Big Ten Conference.
• Minnesota has lost the first half in each of its last seven night games against the Big Ten Conference.

Minnesota vs Ohio State Prediction

I’m going to stick with Ohio State, but this should be a pretty interesting matchup. The Buckeyes certainly need a bounce-back effort here as well following a pretty limp offensive showing against a good Michigan State team. Ohio State shot just 36.7 percent from the field in that defeat, with 7-of-27 (25.9 percent) from outside and 68.8 percent (11-of-16) from the line. The 16 turnovers for 18 Spartans points were the real killer in that loss, though. The good news is that Ohio State had posted 85 or more points in three straight games (all wins) prior to that, and the odds are good that the Buckeyes will be able to post a decent showing here.

As for Minnesota, they were able to hang around with Purdue initially during their last outing but lost steam in the second. The Gophers shot well from the field (48.1 percent) but also gave up 50 percent on the other side. Minnesota has given up 81 or more points in each of their last three losses, so if Ohio State can get the scoring going early here the Buckeyes will be in great shape.

Read the rest of "Minnesota vs Ohio State Prediction 1-6-25 College Basketball Picks" at Sports Chat Place

Michigan State Spartans Betting Preview

The Michigan State Spartans beat Western Michigan and FAU, and they play Washington, Northwestern, and Penn State next. The Michigan State Spartans are averaging 82 points on 47.6 percent shooting and allowing 67.2 points on 40.2 percent shooting. Jaden Akins is averaging 13.7 points and 1.8 assists, while Jase Richardson is averaging 9.8 points and 2.8 rebounds. Frankie Fidler is dishing 0.9 assists and Coen Carr is grabbing 3.8 rebounds. The Michigan State Spartans are shooting 28.8 percent from beyond the arc and 81.3 percent from the free throw line. The Michigan State Spartans are allowing 30 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 38.7 rebounds per game.

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview

The Ohio State Buckeyes beat Kentucky and Indiana State, and they play Minnesota, Oregon, and Wisconsin next. The Ohio State Buckeyes are averaging 82.8 points on 50.5 percent shooting and allowing 69.9 points on 38.1 percent shooting. Bruce Thornton is averaging 17.4 points and 3.1 rebounds, while Devin Royal is averaging 14.8 points and 7.5 rebounds. John Mobley Jr. is the third double-digit scorer and Micah Parrish is grabbing 4.7 rebounds. The Ohio State Buckeyes are shooting 39.3 percent from beyond the arc and 69.7 percent from the free throw line. The Ohio State Buckeyes are allowing 28.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 32.2 rebounds per game.

Ohio State vs Michigan State Injury Report

Ohio State has Micah Parrish and Meechie Johnson Jr. listed as questionable. Obviously, two names to each, as Meechie averages 9.1 points and 2.7 assists through two games. Parrish is the fourth leading scorer on Ohio State and third with an average of 4.7 rebounds.

Michigan State doesn’t have any players listed on its injury report.

Ohio State vs Michigan State Prediction

The Ohio State Buckeyes are going to get the benefit of the doubt at home, where they’re 7-1 SU on the season. However, it’s hard to side with the Buckeyes when you see Johnson and Parrish on the injury report. Obviously, you should check for updates before betting. Even without those injuries, Michigan State in the underdog role is always hard to pass up. MSU is 11-2 SU on the season and has recent wins over Minnesota and North Carolina. Michigan State is still physically defensively and well-coached, but this year’s squad finds offense a lot easier. Sparty is more than capable of winning this game outright. Give me the free bucket. 

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Before we dive into the Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Oregon Ducks game let’s review the rules for Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for this afternoon’s Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Oregon Ducks matchup.

Draftkings NCAA College Football Showdown Picks

Captain-Dillon Gabriel, Quarterback, Oregon Ducks $10,600

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been an essential part of the Oregon Ducks starting lineup this season. Having stated that, how has Gabriel performed from a statistical perspective in 2024? Let’s take a look at Gabriel’s game data from the 2024 NCAA regular season to answer that question.

In the 13 games that Dillon Gabriel has played for the Oregon Ducks in the 2024 NCAA regular season, Dillon Gabriel has compiled a massive 3,558 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, 192 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.

Last month, in the Oregon Ducks impressive 45-37 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel tallied 283 passing yards, four passing touchdowns and 17 rushing yards.

Looking closer at the data just presented, in the Oregon Ducks victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions, quarterback Dillon Gabriel accumulated a whopping 29.1 Draftkings points.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NCAA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Keep that in mind as you construct your lineups for this one game NCAA DFS Draftkings slate.

In my view, Dillon Gabriel is the most likely player to score the most DFS points in this evening’s Rose Bowl game. With that said, I am backing Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NCAA Football Showdown contest.

Flex Plays

Tez Johnson, Wide Receiver, Oregon Ducks $9,600

In addition to quarterback Dillon Gabriel, wide receiver Tez Johnson has been a key contributor to the Oregon Ducks offense this season.

In the 11 games that wide receiver Tez Johnson has played for the Oregon Ducks this season, Johnson has accumulated a robust 78 receptions, 866 receiving yards and ten receiving touchdowns.

In conclusion, I fully expect Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson to continue his outstanding play versus the Ohio State Buckeyes in this evening’s Rose Bowl game.

Additional flex plays I like to play well in tonight’s game. (Draftkings price noted): Will Howard, Quarterback (Ohio State Buceyes) $11,400: Jeremiah Smith, Wide Receiver (Ohio State Buckeyes) $8,000: Jordan James, Running Back (Oregon Ducks) $10,000.

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