Michigan State Ohio State Betting – Buckeyes Bounce Back With Win Over Spartans

Online betting players watched Ohio State suffer their first loss of the season on the weekend, and they won’t have an easy matchup when they return home to face Michigan State, who have played well below their standards this season and this will be a test of their pride. Pride won’t be enough to beat the Buckeyes in Columbus, but it’s going to be a hard-fought bout in the Big Ten.

• What: NCAA Basketball Betting
• When: Tuesday, February 15th, 9:00 PM ET
• Where: Jerome Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH
• Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes

Why Bet On Michigan State (14-10, 6-6 Big Ten)

There aren’t many reasons to bet on the Spartans this year, as it has been a disappointing season all-around for Tom Izzo and his men, from the suspension of Korie Lucious to a surprising lack of toughness. One thing you could always count on is that the Spartans would be tough defensively, but Michigan State is 169th in points allowed, and 319th in three-point field-goal defense. It’s gotten so bad that the Spartans may have to go to a zone defense, which would probably be the best weapon against Ohio State. Senior guard Kalin Lucas has scored 20 points in four of the last five games, and he may have to pull off a similar performance if the Spartans are going to upset the Buckeyes in Columbus. Lucas is Michigan State’s most explosive player and he can draw the defense to open up the floor. Draymond Green and Durrell Summers have to step up as well, and Delvon Roe should be able to go after suffering a knee injury in an 18-pt win over Penn State.

It’s the defense that will hurt the Spartans, and as we said, the zone may have to be utilized if Michigan State is going to contain Ohio State freshman Jared Sullinger, who may be the best big man in the country. That means they also have to get out on the Ohio State shooters. But we still can’t count Michigan State out; you can never count out a Tom Izzo-coached team, and this game will likely make or break their season. Even if a loss, if they keep it close, Michigan State will take it as a moral victory.

Why Bet On Ohio State (24-1, 11-1 Big Ten)

Losing at Wisconsin may have been the best thing for the Buckeyes, as they no longer have to worry about chasing an unbeaten season, and now they can just focus on playing basketball. Their system is Sullinger in the post, with William Buford, David Lighty and Jon Diebler roaming the three-point line. Freshman point guard Aaron Craft is doing a great job running the show, and the Buckeyes are fourth in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio. No one in the country, and especially in the Big Ten, has been able to stop Sullinger and you have to commit two defenders to him. The problem is, Sullinger is very good at recognize when the double-team is coming, and then you have the shooters going wild, so it’s a “pick your poison” scenario when you play the Buckeyes. It’s hard to argue against Ohio State as the best team in the country, so how is Michigan State supposed to deal with this?

The Buckeyes couldn’t slow down Wisconsin guard Jordan Taylor in the second half of their loss to the Badgers, and they’re no defensive juggernaut, they just slow teams down with their offensive efficiency (third in the country in field-goal percentage, 104th in field-goal defense). Sullinger isn’t much of a shot-blocker, so you can attack the Buckeyes inside, in theory.

How The Game Will Play Out

NCAA basketball odds will favor the Buckeyes at home, even though they’re only 2-3 SU in their last five at “The Schott” against Michigan State, and 1-4 ATS as well. The Buckeyes have won 18 in a row at home, and it’s going to be a big task for Michigan State to snap it, and the key may be Lucas. Taylor went wild against the Buckeyes on Saturday, and Lucas must have a big game to draw the defense to him because we don’t think the Spartans are going to be able to stop Ohio State from scoring. Ohio State are going to win this game, and it will be by about 10 points or so, but Michigan State are going to make them work for it, so beware of the sports betting spread in your book.