There’s a lot on the line for both teams heading into the March 8th Ohio State at Michigan State betting pick. The home team Spartans are aiming for a share of the Big 10 title with a victory as they are also celebrating their Seniors including Cassius Winston. MSU has a 4-game win streak coming into this matchup and has gone 11-3 at home on the year.
Ohio State would obviously love a victory as well. The #19 Buckeyes can not only boost their tournament resume with a win over #17 MSU, Ohio State can work their way into a tie for 4th in the Big Ten depending on the outcome of the Illinois / Iowa game later on Sunday. The top 4 teams in the conference get the double bye in the conference tourney later in the week.
Is Ohio State For Real?
The Buckeyes have rattled off four straight wins including victories over Maryland, Michigan, and Illinois. Those three wins have all come at home though (including at Nebraska). The Buckeyes’ 4-6 road record will be put to the test in the March 8th Ohio State at Michigan State betting pick.
There are reasons to like OSU on Sunday, even on the road and especially when getting +7 points. The Buckeyes are playing great on both ends of the court, scoring 75+ points in 3 of their last 4 while finding some great scoring depth recently. Kaleb Wesson has been his usual solid self with 13+ in 6 of the last 7, CJ Walker has 12+ in four straight and E.J. Liddell had 17 points and 11 boards off the bench on Thursday vs. Illinois
The total of 139.5 on Sunday is a tough one to call not only because of the offensive prowess of both teams but because the game also features two of the better teams in the conference. Ohio State has held three straight opponents to 63 points or less and rank 17th in the country in scoring defense (62.4 ppg) and 23rd in opponents field goal percentage.
Michigan State Surging Down the Stretch
The Spartans have won 4 in a row in their own rights. What’s more impressive about their streak is that 3 of the 4 wins have come on the road. MSU is back at the Breslin Center on Sunday where they are 11-3 on the season. MSU will be celebrating their Seniors in this matchup, including Winston who is the Big Ten’s all-time leader in assists.
It will actually be MSU’s young players that will likely decide if they cover the 7 point number on Sunday afternoon. Well, Jr. Xavier Tillman is a force as well with a double-double in 6 of the last 7 but freshman Rocket Watts has scored 21, 13, and 18 points the last three. Freshman Malik Hall had 16 points in the win over Maryland and sophomore Aaron Henry has scored 12+ in 3 of the last 4.
March 8th Ohio State at Michigan State Betting Pick
Michigan State is a great bet to win this game, but the -7 spread seems a bit on the higher side. The Buckeyes are finding great depth on offense, and can match MSU’s defense even on the road.
Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes +7
