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The Indiana Hoosiers are set to face the Ohio State Buckeyes. Check out our college basketball odds series, which includes our Indiana Ohio State prediction, odds, and pick.
College basketball odds experts know that when sizing up an Indiana Ohio State prediction, both teams are struggling and in need of a season-changing win. Indiana has lost four straight games, with its offense dying late in games and failing to generate consistent production. The Hoosiers so centrally depend on Trayce Jackson-Davis for offense, and when they don't get that, their guards and wings have a very tough time stepping up as members of the supporting cast. Indiana's offense faltered late against Wisconsin, the Hoosiers' most recent loss. Indiana's offense failed to score 60 points in recent losses to Northwestern and Illinois. Indiana managed only 61 points against Michigan State.
The Hoosiers are 7-8 in Big Ten play and badly need some wins to prevent a fall to an 8-12 Big Ten record (in the 20-game conference season). If Indiana falls that far, the Hoosiers will likely miss the NCAA Tournament. If they can finish 9-11 in the Big Ten and win at least one Big Ten Tournament game, they still have a decent chance of getting into the field.
When thinking about an Indiana Ohio State pick, you need to realize that while the Hoosiers are a mess, Ohio State isn't much better. The Buckeyes have lost two of their last four games. They suffered a bad loss to Iowa this past Saturday, 75-62, and they allowed a late 10-0 run in a loss to Rutgers a week and a half ago. Ohio State was able to hold Michigan to 57 points in a win over the Wolverines, and limit Minnesota to 45 in a blowout win over the Gophers, but much like Indiana, Ohio State's offense goes through crippling droughts and doesn't have enough balance.
Like Indiana, Ohio State depends on its big man for offense and rebounding. E.J. Liddell is the Buckeyes' answer to Trayce Jackson-Davis. If Liddell isn't scoring, Ohio State has very little chance of thriving. Both teams need complementary role players to step up if the season is going to be rescued.
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Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Indiana-Ohio State odds:
College Basketball odds: Indiana-Ohio State Odds
Indiana: +6 (-114)
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Ohio State: -6 (-106)
Over: 135.5 (-110)
Under: 135.5 (-110)
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Why Indiana Could Cover the Spread
The Hoosiers beat Ohio State by 16 earlier this season. They could be 21 points worse than that result and still cover the spread. They are also going to be desperate after losing four straight games.
Why Ohio State Could Cover the Spread
The Buckeyes were terrible at home on the weekend against a not-very-good Iowa team. Chris Holtmann is too good a coach to allow the Buckeyes to be bad in consecutive games against less-than-great opposition. OSU can easily cover the spread.
Final Indiana-Ohio State Prediction & Pick
Indiana might not win outright, but the Hoosiers will be desperate enough to take this game to the wire, which means it will be relatively close. Buckeyes win by three.
Final Indiana-Ohio State Pick: Indiana +6
