Two unranked Big Ten teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble meet when Ohio State visits Penn State in a nationally televised matchup, being the perfect chance for making some college basketball betting.
The Nittany Lions have been excellent at home this season and are short favorites on the NCAAB odds in the Week 13.
| Opening Spread/Totals Subject to Change: Penn State -2.5 (total 148.5) Expert Prediction: Penn State 75, Ohio State 73 |
Bet College Basketball: Ohio State vs Penn State & TV Info
NCAAB Moneylines: Penn State -152 / Ohio State +124
When: Thursday, 6:30 PM ET
Where: Bryce Jordan Center
TV: FOX Sports 1
Stream: FOX Sports Live
Ohio State Basketball Betting Insights
Ohio State (12-8, 4-5 Big Ten) secured its second consecutive victory, defeating Iowa 82-65 on Monday. The first half saw eight lead changes and three ties. Devin Royal sparked an 11-3 run early in the second half, extending the lead to 12. Bruce Thornton and Sean Stewart’s plays solidified OSU’s commanding advantage.
Iowa came into the night as the No. 4 scoring offense in the country, averaging nearly 87 points per game, but the Hawkeyes were held to a season-low 65 points and a season-worst 39.3 percent shooting. Coach Jake Diebler says his team has been working on defense of late.
Jake Diebler
“I think we’re showing great improvement defensively,” Diebler said after the game. “You got to remember, it’s a new system, new scheme for everybody. We are showing significant growth… It’s something we’ve been talking about and working on every time we’re together. I do feel like we’re getting more and more connected. You’re starting to see our experience that we’re gaining, really, come through with us, executing better defensively.”
Micah Parrish
Parrish scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Buckeyes. Over his last three games, he averages 19.7 points and 5.7 rebounds, shooting 50% from three-point range. Thornton contributed 15 points and eight rebounds, while Royal and Mobley Jr. each added 12 points, with Mobley Jr. recording eight assists. Bradshaw scored nine points, so that’s good to consider in the college basketball betting.
The fake causes a flyby 💨
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) January 29, 2025
Micah & BT had defenders lost last night🗣️ #Team126 | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/gDvPECFDhb
Sean Stewart
Stewart’s performance has improved, contributing six points, six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. The Buckeyes shot 56.7% in the second half and out-rebounded Iowa 43-31. Continued growth is vital for Ohio State’s aspirations of returning to March Madness.
Bruce Thornton
“Our approach in practice has been unbelievable lately,” Thornton said. “Other guys holding each other accountable, me forcing the issue, holding guys accountable. We’ve been practicing extremely hard and getting the results we wanted. Us playing together, playing hard, holding each other accountable and having Buckeye Nation behind you, it makes it feel ten times better.”
Thornton is averaging 17.0 points per game this season. If he were to finish the season at that mark, it would be a career best. Over the last 12 seasons, there have only been three Buckeyes to average 17 points or more per game.
Junior Evan Mahaffey
Evan Mahaffey, a Penn State transfer, impressed in two games against his former team last year, registering a career-high six assists, five points, five rebounds in State College, and 16 points in Columbus.
Talor Battle
Ohio State assistant coach Battle, Penn State’s all-time leading scorer, returns to State College. He has a 2-4 coaching record against Penn State and will debut at Rec Hall as a coach.
Ohio State has achieved 50 percent shooting or better in 10 games this season, compared to only eight times last season. Currently, they’re shooting 48.3 percent overall, ranking sixth in the Big Ten and 34th nationally.
^College Basketball Odds provided by MyBookie
Penn State Basketball Betting Insights
Penn State (13-8, 3-7 Big Ten) is definitely on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble after it lost for the sixth time in seven games Monday 76-72 at Michigan. PSU had a 70-67 lead with 3:12 remaining before missing its final four shots and U-M scoring the game’s final nine points.
Tre Donaldson
Tre Donaldson initiated a 7-0 run for Michigan with a free-throw line jumper, followed by Danny Wolf’s shot block. Donaldson then hit a 3-pointer, giving Michigan a 74-72 lead. He sealed the victory with two free throws, while Ace Baldwin Jr. missed a buzzer-beater.
The Stats
Penn State achieved 49% shooting from the field, 47.4% from 3-point range, and 81.3% at the free-throw line. Nick Kern Jr. led with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Baldwin Jr. contributed 15 points, six assists, and three steals.
The game featured 18 turnovers, resulting in 19 points for Michigan. With leading scorer Vladislav Goldin limited to 17 minutes due to illness, the Nittany Lions capitalized by winning the rebounding battle, 34-26.
PSU’s seven conference losses include six by single digits, notably back-to-back one-point and four-point losses to Iowa and Michigan, respectively. The only non-competitive game was against Illinois, missing Puff Johnson and Baldwin due to injuries.
To Keep an Eye
Penn State’s Big Ten schedule features challenging early matchups, facing nine teams with a combined record of 50-35 (.588). In contrast, the remaining eight opponents have a lower combined record of 32-43 (.427), indicating a more favorable finish to their conference schedule.
Return to Rec Eve 🦁⚪️#WeAre | White Out Rec Hall pic.twitter.com/8w3ARSQAvW
— Penn State Men’s Basketball (@PennStateMBB) January 29, 2025
The Record
The Lions average 83.2 points per game, ranking 20th nationally, and have surpassed 80 points in 14 of 21 games this season. This scoring pace is set to break the program’s single-season average record of 78.7 points, established in 1994-95. Nine players scored in double figures, with six netting over 20 points. Additionally, Penn State ranks 25th in turnovers forced and 31st in steals. That’s something that you can use in your college basketball betting.
Ace Baldwin Jr.
Baldwin Jr. currently ranks fourth in the country with his 7.9 assists per game and sixth in free throw percentage (93.1%). He’s notched five points-assists double-doubles and has tallied double-digit assists in more games (6) than he did all of last season (4).
^Ohio State vs Penn State Last Meeting
This season features only one scheduled meeting between Penn State and Ohio State. Last year, they faced off twice, with each team winning at home. The Penn State match ended 83-80, highlighted by Ace Baldwin Jr. hitting a crucial 3-pointer after trailing by 18 points. In the final moments, Bruce Thornton’s free throws kept Ohio State close, but Jamison Battle’s missed three-pointer sealed the win for the Nittany Lions. Penn State leads recent matchups, winning three of four, while Ohio State heads the overall series 41-21.
^🚨 National Championship tip-off time!
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) January 28, 2025
The 2025 National Championship will tip off at 8:50pm ET – 30 minutes earlier than the typical start time. pic.twitter.com/h39KTt16Q0
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