Ohio St. Buckeyes vs
Minnesota Golden GophersPredictions & Preview

Ohio State Buckeyes Favored to Defeat Minnesota Golden Gophers in Big Ten Conference Showdown

The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to face off against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a Big Ten Conference showdown on January 6th at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, MN. Last season, both teams split their two-game series, each winning on their home court. Ohio State is currently the betting favorite with a -5.5 point spread that has remained unchanged. Stay tuned for the latest updates and analysis on this anticipated matchup between Ohio State and Minnesota.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Buckeyes -205 | Golden Gophers +168
• Spread: Buckeyes -5.5 (-110) | Golden Gophers +5.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 137 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Ohio St. will win straight-up is 67%.

Ohio St. vs Minnesota Stats

Ohio St. Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes are coming off a tough 69-62 home loss to No. 18 Michigan State, dropping their conference record to 1-2. Despite recent wins over strong opponents, the Buckeyes struggled with shooting against the Spartans, making only 36.7% of their field goals. Senior guard Micah Parrish led the team with 13 points in the game. Junior guard Bruce Thornton, averaging 16.9 points and 4.6 assists per game, had 10 points and five turnovers. The Buckeyes currently rank 27th in the NCAA NET Rankings. Offensively, they shoot well from the field and three-point range but struggle at the free-throw line. Defensively, they excel at limiting opponent field goals and three-pointers but struggle with free-throw defense. Overall, the Buckeyes are 9-5 this season and hold a power ranking of 119. They rank 45th in offense and 146th in defense while averaging 82.77 points scored and allowing 69.85 points against per game.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Analysis

The Minnesota Golden Gophers suffered a loss to Purdue, bringing their conference record to 0-3. Despite a strong showing from senior forward Dawson Garcia, who scored 20 points and grabbed five rebounds, the team struggled defensively against Purdue's efficient shooting. The Golden Gophers have a power ranking of 112 and are ranked 329th for offense, scoring an average of 67.43 points per game. Defensively, they are ranked 39th in the nation, giving up an average of 65.07 points per game. Overall, Minnesota has a record of 8-6 with a concerning 1-11-2 record against the spread. The team's offensive statistics include shooting 44.70% from the field, 63.60% from the free-throw line, and 30.07% from beyond the arc. On defense, they allow opponents to shoot 42.64% from the field and 72.77% from the free-throw line. While the Golden Gophers have shown potential on offense, their defensive stats indicate areas for improvement.

Ohio State's Offensive Superiority Expected to Lead Them to Victory Over Minnesota

Ohio State's offensive depth and efficiency make them a strong contender against Minnesota, who struggles to keep up on the offensive front. The Buckeyes are ranked 22nd in the country for 3-point percentage, boasting a rate of 38.4%, while also excelling defensively by holding opponents to just 27.8% from beyond the arc. In contrast, Minnesota's 3-point shooting performance ranks significantly lower at 30.1%, leaving them vulnerable to opponents who shoot 34.0% from deep. Recent trends also favor Ohio State, with a 4-2 record against the spread in their last six games compared to Minnesota's five-game non-cover streak. Additionally, Minnesota has not covered the spread in their last ten home games. Taking these factors into consideration, I predict that Ohio State will secure a victory and cover the spread in this matchup.

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