College Basketball Pick: #5 Michigan vs Ohio State

In men’s college basketball action, the Ohio State Buckeyes (13-6 Overall, 3-5 Big Ten) visit the #5 Michigan Wolverines (19-1 Overall, 8-1 Big Ten) tonight, Tuesday, January 29 for a 9 pm ET tipoff. The two teams will meet at the Wolverine home court at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, MI. Our NCAAM Wolverines vs Buckeyes pick has Michigan at -8.5.

Michigan is second in the conference, one-half game behind the first-place Michigan State Spartans. OSU is five full games out of first, as they have struggled in conference play.

Recent Trends and Results

There are various trends that indicate that the Wolverines will cover. Our Wolverines vs Buckeyes pick notes that the Buckeyes are 3-9 ATS when playing Michigan away. Also, in their last seven games, OSU is 1-6 ATS. In their last seven contests, the Wolverines are 5-2 versus the point spread. However, going against those trends, the Buckeyes are 4-2 ATS in their last six road games and in their last six games against the Wolverines. In addition, the Buckeyes are 17-8 SU in their last 25 games against Michigan.

Although OSU started the season 13-1, with their one loss being 72-62 to Syracuse, they’ve lost their last five-of-six games. On January 26, they won their last game 70-60 against Nebraska. Michigan has lost one game. That was on January 19 to Wisconsin by a score of 64-54.

Our Wolverines vs Buckeyes pick likes Michigan. We see them winning by at least 10 points.

Edge: Michigan

Telltale Stats

Our Wolverines vs Buckeyes pick notes that although these teams have similar field goal and three-point percentages, rebounds, assists, ans steals per game, there are some significant differences. For the Buckeyes, the major difference is in free throws made per game with OSU completing 15.4 FTPG and Michigan 13.5. FTPG.

Ohio State is blocking two fewer shots per game than the Wolverines while turning the ball over three more times per game. The biggest difference is in PA, as Michigan is allowing 56.5 PPG, while Ohio State has been giving up 65.3 PPG. At the same time, tonight’s away team has been good for 2.6 more points per game than tonight’s opponents.

Again, we like the Wolverines, especially due to their PF/PA differential which stands at +15.2. OSU’s difference stands at +9.0. That’s a +6.2 advantage for Michigan. It doesn’t cover the spread, but we can see Michigan creating more distance between them and the Buckeyes in this game.

Edge: Michigan

Wolverines vs Buckeyes Pick – Keys

• Junior Michigan guard Zavier Simpson with his 5.6 APG and 1.6 SPG offers the Wolverines added momentum in the game
• Four Wolverines are grabbing five or more RPG, just one Buckeye is doing the same
• OSU FT% comes in at 72.2, while Michigan’s stands at 66.8.

Edge: Michigan

OSU and Michigan Point Spread Pick

Our Wolverines vs Buckeyes pick does certainly like Michigan at -8.5. We do think that Michigan will dominate in terms of playmaking, defense, and depth. Take the Wolverines.

Summary Wolverines vs Buckeyes Pick – Michigan at -8.5