Northwestern at Ohio State: 1/13/21 College Basketball Picks and Prediction
Photo by Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State Buckeyes (9-3) vs Northwestern Wildcats (6-4)
Game Info: Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 7:00 pm (Value City Arena)
Betting Odds: Ohio State Buckeyes -8 -- Over/Under: 143.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Northwestern Wildcats will travel to Value City Arena to take on the 21st ranked Ohio State Buckeyes this Wednesday night in College Basketball action.
The Northwestern Wildcats lost their 3rd straight game and dropped to 6-4 on the season after being defeated by the 12th ranked Illinois Fighting Illini, 81-56, this past Thursday. Northwestern looked primed to snap their losing streak after going into halftime with a 43-28 lead, however, Northwestern struggled on both ends of the court throughout the 2nd half and could not fight back after Illinois took a 56-48 lead with 8:35 left in regulation. Northwestern shot just 32.7% from the field and 30.0% from beyond the arc while Illinois shot 49.1% from the field and 40.7% from beyond the arc. Northwestern was outrebounded Illinois by a 41-29 margin and committed 13 turnovers in the loss. Leading the way for the Wildcats was Robbie Beran who had 11 points, 5 rebounds, & 4 assits.
On the season, Northwestern is averaging 79.1 ppg on 45.9% shooting from the field. The Wildcats are averaging 9.2 three-pointers per game on 40.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Northwestern has been led by Miller Kopp (13.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.0 spg), Chase Audige (11.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.0 spg), Pete Nance (11.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.7 apg), Boo Buie (10.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 5.0 apg).
Defensively, Northwestern is allowing their opponents to average 68.9 ppg on 41.1% shooting from the field. The Wildcats have a rebound margin of 1.6 and a turnover margin of 1.7.
The 21st ranked Ohio State Buckeyes improved to 9-3 on the season after defeating the 15th ranked Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 79-68, this past Saturday. Ohio State was lights out offensively against Rutgers and had no trouble pulling away for the victory in the 2nd half after going into halftime with a 42-30 lead. Ohio State shot 51.0% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc while Rutgers shot 43.9% from the field and 25.0% from beyond the arc. Ohio State outrebounded Rutgers by a 43-29 margin and committed 11 turnovers in the victory. Leading the way for the Buckeyes was Justice Sueing who had a double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, & 5 assists.
On the season, Ohio State is averaging 76.5 ppg on 44.1% shooting from the field. The Buckeyes are averaging 7.3 three-pointers per game on 32.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Ohio State has been led by Duane Washington Jr. (15.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.4 apg), E.J. Liddell (14.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.5 bpg), Justice Sueing (10.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.0 apg), & CJ Walker (8.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.2 apg).
Defensively, Ohio State is holding their opponents to an average of 66.3 ppg on 40.7% shooting from the field. The Buckeyes have a rebound margin of 5.8 and a turnover margin of 1.8.
The Wildcats are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Wednesday games and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games. The Buckeyes are 20-7 ATS in their last 27 home games and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Northwestern has struggled as of late, however, this is still a good basketball team that has already defeated Ohio State by a 71-70 margin in late December. Ohio State has been solid on both ends of the court, however, Northwestern does have a solid offense that ranks 61st in scoring offense & 12th in 3P-FG% and as I the Wildcats will at worst keep this one competitive, I think the play here is to take Northwestern and the points. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Northwestern Wildcats +8
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
