Betting Michigan State Ohio State – Buckeyes, Spartans Clash In Huge Big Ten Game Saturday

The No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes stayed with the Purdue Boilermakers point-for-point throughout the first half on Tuesday, only to put them away in the second to close out a 87-84 win. It won’t be as easy for the Buckeyes on Saturday when they host the No. 12 Michigan State Spartans at the Value City Arena in one of their toughest tests of the season, the first of two games they will play against the team that appears to be the biggest obstacle in their way of Big Ten supremacy. Ohio State has not lost at home this season, but that won’t intimidate a Spartans’ team that is right behind them in the conference standings.

(12) Michigan State Spartans @ (3) Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday February 11, 2012 – 6:00 PM ET Value City Arena, Columbus, Ohio College Basketball Betting Pick: Ohio State

A tough road loss at Illinois only extended the damage that Michigan State has absorbed away from home this season, and after three straight road losses it is hard to imagine the bleeding stopping at Ohio State. But the Spartans have played well in their last two games, including a 10-point win over No. 22 Michigan, and should at least push them hard.

Betting Michigan State Ohio State Preview: Michigan State

The Spartans scored only 41 points in their road loss to the Fighting Illini, representing arguably their lowest point in the season in a game where neither team made even 33-percent of their shots. That loss spoiled Michigan State’s chance to move in to a tie with Ohio State for first in the Big Ten, and after watching most of the game from the bench in foul trouble, leading scorer Draymond Green hopes to have learned his lesson. Green left the game late with a knee injury but should be ready for Saturday’s contest, and he will need to be at his best just to keep this one close as sportbook underdogs.

Betting Michigan State Ohio State Preview: Ohio State

The Buckeyes have strung together six straight wins since a loss at Illinois of their own, putting that effort behind them to concentrate on their position both in the Big Ten and nationally. Leading scorer Jared Sullinger is averaging close to a double-double with 17.4 points and 9.1 rebounds this season, and fans at Ohio State are hoping he is saving his best for the stretch run. A win over the Spartans will help the nation’s 11th-ranked field goal shooting team move one step closer to a conference title, and the Value City Arena should be rocking from the beginning to the end.

Betting Michigan State Ohio State Preview: Outlook & Pick

The problem with the Big Ten so far has been the lack of parity at the top, and if there is one team that can take down Ohio State at the top, it would have to be Michigan State. However, the Spartans have been awful on the road, including three-straight losses, and while they may keep it close for the most part, it should only be a matter of time before Sullinger and the Buckeyes come out on top and cover the sports betting spread.