The Buckeyes are back on the winning track heading into the March 6th Michigan at Ohio State betting matchup. Losses to Maryland and last place Nebraska knocked OSU out of any possible Big Ten title talks, but the team looked much better in Thursday’s 80-69 home win over Michigan State to cover the -5.5 point spread.
The bad news for Michigan is that they are coming off an 82-71 home loss to Iowa on Thursday as -2 point favorites. The good news is that the team should now be in line for a victory after rotating wins and losses over their past 8 games. The Buckeyes have won 4 of the last 5 in the series, and are -4 point favorites on Sunday afternoon.
One More Game Without Howard
It’s been an interesting four game stretch for Michigan as they head into the final contest of coach Juwan Howard’s five game suspension. The Wolverines have win over Rutgers and Michigan State over that span, but also have losses to Illinois and Iowa. Plus, all four of those games have been played in Ann Arbor.
Now UM heads to Ohio State in Phil Martelli’s first road game at the helm of the team. The Buckeyes are 13-2 in Columbus this season, but regardless of where the game is Michigan needs better defense than giving up 82 points to Iowa and 93 to Illinois. That may be a tall order considering the Wolverines have the 4th worst defense in the Big Ten, Ohio State the 4th best scoring offense.
Another tall order for the Wolverines in the March 6th Michigan at Ohio State betting matchup is stopping E.J. Liddell, who went for 28 points in the first meeting of the season. OSU won that game 68-57 on February 12th in Ann Arbor as +3 road underdogs.
Ohio State Tries to Finish Strong
The Buckeyes’ 78-70 home loss to Nebraska on March 1st as -14.5 favorites is almost unfathomable considering the Cornhuskers are just 3-16 in Big Ten play. Ohio State had climbed up to #23 in the rankings prior to the loss, but to be fair OSU was also a bit shorthanded in that game.
The Buckeyes could be without Kyle Young (8.2 ppg) as he left the Nebraska game with an illness and also sat out Thursday’s game. Zed Key (8.3 ppg) is also questionable after missing the last two games with an ankle injury.
Regardless of who is out for Ohio State on Sunday, they still have Liddell who went for 28 points in the first meeting with Michigan and also had 27 points and 14 rebounds in the Nebraska loss. Freshman Malaki Branham has also come into his own lately, scoring 22+ in 4 of the last 6 games.
Free March 6th Michigan at Ohio State Betting Pick
66% of the betting public is backing Ohio State on Sunday. OSU has looked very good at home this season, and also had a dominant 11-point win in Ann Arbor. Michigan is going on the road for the first time since February 20th, and this really feels like a point spread that should have the Buckeyes giving 7-8 points.
Ohio State 77 – Michigan 68
Free Pick: Ohio State -4
