Michigan State Spartans vs Ohio State Buckeyes Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Michigan State vs Ohio State NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Columbus.

Michigan State vs Ohio State Prediction

Planning on watching today's Spartans and Buckeyes game? Catch the action at Value City Arena in Columbus, OH, as the Buckeyes hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on FOX. The over/under for this game is set at 149.5 points, and Ohio State is favored by -1.5 vs. Michigan State in a Big Ten conference matchup.

Michigan State vs. Ohio State Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Michigan State Spartans at Ohio State Buckeyes
Where: Columbus at Value City Arena
Date: Friday, January 3rd
Betting Odds OHIOST -1.5, MST +104 | OHIOST -125 O/U 149.5

Spartans Preview: No Pressure for Michigan State as Away Dogs

Michigan State improved to 11-2 on the season with an 80-62 win over Western Michigan on Monday. The Spartans were heavy favorites at -26.5 but didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 142 fell short of the 148.5 O/U line.

After leading 37-24 at halftime, Michigan State scored 43 points in the 2nd half while allowing 38. Though they didn’t cover the spread, the Spartans’ defense held strong, keeping the Broncos in check.

Spartans Offense Breakdown

Michigan State put up 80 points in their latest game, shooting 50% from the field and posting an effective field goal percentage of 55.6%. Their two-point shooting was particularly strong, hitting 61.8% (21/34), while they connected on just 30% (6/20) from beyond the arc. At the free-throw line, the Spartans were nearly automatic, making 20 of 22 attempts for a 90.9% success rate.

Jaden Akins led the way with 18 points in 23 minutes, despite shooting just 28.6% (2/7) from three. Carson Cooper was efficient inside, hitting 5 of 6 shots and contributing 13 points and 6 rebounds in 18 minutes. Chansey Willis Jr. added 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, shooting 40% (2/5) from deep and 55.6% overall (5/9).

Spartans Team Defense

Michigan State's defense gave up 62 points while allowing the opposition to shoot 50% from the field, with 21 of those baskets coming from two-point range at a 61% clip.

From beyond the arc, the Spartans held their opponent to 6 made threes on 20 attempts, a 30% shooting performance. They also sent them to the free-throw line 22 times, where they converted 20 free throws at a 90% rate.

Buckeyes Preview: Pressure Builds for Ohio State as Home Favorites

Ohio State improved to 9-4 on the season with a 103-83 win over Indiana State on Sunday. The Buckeyes, playing at home, were -18.5 point favorites and covered the spread. The game’s total points reached 186, surpassing the O/U line of 158.5.

Ohio State led 52-47 at halftime and clamped down defensively in the 2nd half, allowing just 36 points while scoring 51 of their own.

Buckeyes Offense Breakdown

Ohio State put up 103 points in their last game, shooting 55.7% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 62.3%. They were dominant inside, hitting 67.5% of their two-point attempts, while connecting on 33.3% from beyond the arc, going 7-for-21 from three-point range.

Bruce Thornton led the way with 33 points, shooting 68.8% overall and 57.1% from three, hitting 4-of-7 from deep. Jaden Daughtry added 25 points in just 20 minutes, shooting 70% from the field.

Buckeyes Team Defense

Ohio State's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 83 points while allowing the opponent to shoot 55% from the field. The Buckeyes had trouble containing two-point shots, with the opposing team hitting 67% of their attempts inside the arc.

From beyond the three-point line, Ohio State's defense allowed 7 made threes on 21 attempts, a 33% shooting rate. They also sent the opponent to the free-throw line 41 times, where they converted 28 free throws, shooting 68%. The Buckeyes gave up 7 offensive rebounds.

Spartans vs Buckeyes Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Through their last ten road games, Michigan State has an ATS record of just 7-3. However, their overall record was 5-5 while averaging 73 points per game.
Across their three previous home games, Ohio State has an ATS mark of 1-2. Their straight up record in these matchups was 1-2 while averaging 65 points per game.
Spanning across their last five games as the betting underdog, the Spartans have gone 3-2 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 1-4.
The Buckeyes have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 4-1 straight up and 4-1 against the spread.