Free NCAA Hoops Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Odds
Looking for Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Penn State Nittany Lions NCAA basketball free picks & CBB odds? CBB betting sees the Buckeyes taking on the Nittany Lions on Thursday February 18, 2021 at Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all college basketball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily basketball predictions like this Ohio State Buckeyes – Penn State Nittany Lions matchup.
2021 NCAA Basketball
(17-4) #4 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (7-10)
Date: Thursday February 18, 2021
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Venue: Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania
Moneyline Odds: Buckeyes N/A, Nittany Lions N/A
Betting Odds: Ohio State -5.5
Betting Total: O/U 146.0
The Ohio State Buckeyes and Penn State Nittany Lions will meet Thursday in a Big Ten clash.
Ohio State has been rolling of late. The Buckeyes won their sixth straight game Saturday when they defeated Indiana in blowout fashion in Columbus.
Penn State has not enjoyed the same success. The Nittany Lions are coming off a bad home loss against Nebraska and need to practically win out to keep their tournament hopes alive.
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes have catapulted themselves into the top five after being out of the top 25 completely earlier in the season. Ohio State has won each of its last six games and has posted an offensive rating of 116 in all of those six contests.
Overall, Ohio State ranks fifth in the country in offensive rating according to Bart Torvik. They take good care of the basketball, draw a lot of fouls, and convert 75 percent of their free throws. Defensively, the Buckeyes have picked things up of late as well. They held Indiana to just 59 points on just 5 of 15 shooting Saturday.
The balanced attack for the Buckeyes is led by Duane Washington Jr., and E.J. Liddell. Washington has scored 20 points or more in five games this season and leads the team in total points. Liddell is the team’s best all around player and one of the most improved players in the nation. The sophomore forward averages 15.1 PPG while leading the way with 6.7 RPG.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have a good rotation, with eight players averaging at least 5 PPG.
Kenpom ranks the Buckeyes as the 6th best team in the nation. they average 77.5 points per game while giving up 68.0.
Penn State Nittany Lions
The Penn State Nittany Lions have been reeling in their last few games and have fallen out of the NCAA Tournament picture. The Nittany Lions are looking to drop a two-game losing streak after falling to both Michigan State and Nebraska. Every opponent the Nittany Lions face for the remainder of the season is a Quad-1 opponent.
The Nittany Lions are a bit of a confusing team. Despite being 4-9 in conference play and 7-10 overall, metrics say the Nittany Lions are a top-40 team in the country. They have impressive victories over top-25 teams this year, but haven’t been able to build consistency.
Like Ohio State, Penn State has looked impressive offensively this season. The Nittany Lions are 33rd in the country in offensive rating, crash the offensive glass well as a team and shoot 34.1 percent from deep.
Myreon Jones has been the best offensive option for Penn State. The junior guard has scored in double figures in all but two games this season, averages 14.9 PPG, and shoot 40 percent from downtown.
Izaiah Brockington and Seth Lundy are solid offensive options as well. The duo combines for 24 PPG and 9 RPG.
Defensively, the Nittany Lions have been inconsistent this season. They allow 72.7 points per game, which ranks 240th in the country. They have lacked rim protection and allow opponents to shoot 55 percent inside the arc.
Betting Trends:
- Nittany Lions are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
- Nittany Lions are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Nittany Lions are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- Nittany Lions are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
- Nittany Lions are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Buckeyes are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
- Buckeyes are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win.
- Buckeyes are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Buckeyes are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Buckeyes are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Free Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Penn State Nittany Lions NCAAB Prediction:
Ohio State has been rolling of late, and while Penn State is better than what their record would show, the Buckeyes should still handle this team.
4* Free Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Pick: Ohio State -5.5
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