Iowa Hawkeyes (19-12) vs Ohio State Buckeyes (14-18)
Game Info: Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 2:30 pm (United Center)
Betting Odds: Iowa Hawkeyes -2.5 -- Over/Under: 155 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: BTN Stream College Basketball all season on ESPN+. Sign up now! 
The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Iowa Hawkeyes will meet in Chicago to battle in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center on the BTN.
Ohio State moved to 13-18 after beating Wisconsin in Madison. The Buckeyes jumped on the Badgers early, and ended their season with an eight-point win, 65-57. Ohio State is scoring 73.1 points per game, while allowing 69.4 ppg and shooting 46.1% from the floor.
Ohio State has shown some life by winning three of their last four games, but it’s tough to see them taking down Iowa here. The Buckeyes have leaned on true freshman Brice Sensabaugh heavily this season. The 6’6 forward scored 21 points in the finale versus Sparty, and he leads the team in scoring (16.2), while grabbing 5.2 rpg. Senior forward Justice Sueing joins him up front, and he’s second on the team at 12.3 ppg and 5.4 rpg. First-year guard Bruce Thornton scored 15 points or more in four of the last five games, and he’s up to 10.2 ppg.
Iowa fell to 19-12 after losing to Iowa at home. The Hawkeyes let the Huskers pull away in the second half and lost by four, 81-77. Iowa is scoring 80.6 points per game, while allowing 74.5 ppg, and shooting 45.4% from the field.
Iowa dropped their home finale, but they played good basketball in February. Junior forward Kris Murray scored 22 points or more in the final three games, and he leads the Hawkeyes in scoring (20.0) and rebounding (8.0). Four-year starter Filip Rebraca joins him up front, and he’s second on the team at 13.8 ppg and 7.8 rpg. Junior guard Tony Perkins scored 24 points in the win over OSU last month, and he’s up to 12.4 ppg.
Ohio State is 11-20 against the spread this season, with a 17-14 over/under record. Iowa is 17-14 ATS this year, with a 19-12 o/u record.
Iowa embarrassingly lost to Nebraska in their home game, and I think they put that behind them and came out sharp against an inexperienced Ohio State team. The Bucks showed up and outclassed a disciplined Wisconsin team yesterday, but they might not get so lucky against a score-happy Hawkeyes team. Take Iowa’s spread for this second round matchup, and give the under a look with OSU coming off of less than a day’s rest.
Corey’s Pick Iowa -2.5
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
