Ohio State vs Purdue CBB Picks
The Buckeyes have emerged unscathed from the nonconference portion of their schedule but now the real season begins. [ad-4468020]
Ohio State Buckeyes (13-0) vs. Purdue Boilermakers (10-3)
Tuesday December 31
Mackey Arena – West Lafayette, IN
1:00PM
Moneyline: No moneyline currently listed
Spread: Ohio State -7
O/U: No total currently listed
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Ohio State
Most of those opponents were just warm ups but they were played tight by Notre Dame at a neutral site last week and they showed just how stingy their defense can be when they held Marquette to an amazing 35 points in a victory back in November.
This team does not have an obvious next level star but they are a very good college basketball team.
The signature player for OSU this season is senior PG Aaron Craft. Perhaps the best leader and defensive player in college hoops he is not much of a scorer and they are still waiting for their offensive leader to emerge. The hope is that LaQuinton Ross will be that guy but his shooting has not been great and he is just second on the team in scoring behind Lenzelle Smith.
In big games like this on the road they need him to be more of a factor.
Ohio State has been a so-so bet this season with a 6-6 ATS record.
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They are 1-0 in true road games and you have to like them a lot because they play such good defense, especially on the perimeter where Craft and others are a nuisance. I like them to win this one but it might be closer than most think.
Purdue
The Boilermakers are starting conference play on good footing with a 10-3 record and a victory in a true road game against West Virginia the last time out.
They have no great wins but also no bad losses to this point and should be in the second tier of Big Ten teams which means they might be going to the dance if they can bag a top team sometime during the season.
This is their first and perhaps best chance to do so.
Purdue has a solid backcourt of Terone and Ronnie Johnson but if they are going to achieve their goals this year they need more from center A.J. Hammons.
The 7 footer has become a much more efficient scorer this year hitting 61% of his shots but he barely plays half the game. He needs to maintain that level of performance and stay on the floor for Purdue to be a big winner and they especially need him to be a factor to have a chance in this one.
Purdue has not been a great spread team this season though they did win and cover as underdogs the last time out against West Virginia.
I like the fact that they are 2-1 ATS this season when they are an underdog, which they are in their home opener. I think they can keep it close and come through.
Spread Pick: Purdue +7
O/U Pick: N/A
Score Prediction: Ohio State 68 – Purdue 64
