
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are stacking wins as of late and are getting closer and closer to getting into the NCAA Tournament conversation. Ohio State is coming off a huge home win against Purdue last weekend and is looking to make it two straight since Chris Holtman was fired.
The Gophers have won four straight road games and are the surprise team in the Big Ten this season, and a win in this game would be huge for this team. The biggest question in this game will be was the win over Purdue a fluke for Ohio State? I have no doubt it was a fluke, the Buckeyes are a talented team but I doubt we see another effort like that in this game.
These odds were updated at 5 am EST on 2/22/24; the odds came from Draft Kings.
This spread looks to be an excellent line for Minnesota. The Golden Gophers are the better team, and they have been tough at home this season.
Minnesota currently leads all teams nationally in record against the spread. Minnesota would make you rich if you bet them all season – they are 22-3 against the spread, covering at an incredible 88% clip; South Florida comes second at covering 76.2%. That doesn’t mean it should be your play here, though; the Gophers remain worth considering as an investment opportunity. Ohio State defeated Purdue at home but was that reality or more of Purdue not taking the game seriously and the Buckeyes playing the game of their lives?.
Garcia should enjoy another successful outing against Ohio State’s defense, which ranks only 108th in terms of efficiency). Ohio State will ofno-doubt experience a let-down after their big victory at home over Purdue, as their intensity can’t translate to their game against Minnesota on the road. Minnesota should make life difficult for Jamison Battle, who returns for his debut as an opponent here – evening out their season series and exacting their revenge in Minnesota’s favor. Take the Gophers and give the +3.5 points.
The value is great to bet on Ohio State on the money line; with that being said, I would not bet it because Ohio State will not win this game.
The value is not there to bet the Gophers straight up on the money line; the real value is betting and giving the Buckeyes +2.5 points.
I would bet that over here, neither team is outstanding defensively, and the Gophers will show up to this game with revenge on their mind after losing earlier in the season to the Buckeyes.
The spread seems small to me. I would have thought Gophers -6, so I will jump all over this line. Ohio State is coming off an emotional week of seeing their coach fired and then upsetting the Purdue Boilermakers on Sunday. A let down is sure to follow.
Minnesota will look to get even with Ohio State in this matchup after they lost by ten earlier in the year and also, in the offseason, lost one of their best players to Ohio State in the transfer portal, Jamison Battle. Battle had an outstanding debut against his old school, scoring 25 points to help seal their win. Revenge will be on the Gophers minds in this one.
Both teams have a couple of questionable players coming into this game, and as of 7 AM on game day, they look to be game-time decisions.
I expect the Gophers to jump on the Buckeyes early and often. Ohio State is coming off a rough week that ended with an emotional win over Purdue. I think going on the road to a hostile environment would be difficult. Still, when you add in the revenge aspect and the Tournament ramifications for this game, the Gophers have a definite advantage. I like Minnesota to cover. Minnesota 79, Ohio State 69.
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