Minnesota (8-6) vs Ohio State (9-5)
Game Info: Monday, January 6, 2025 at 9:00 pm (Williams Arena)
The Line: Betting Odds: Minnesota +5.5 / Ohio State -5.5 — Over/Under: 138.5
The Ohio State Buckeyes are visiting the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Monday, January 6th at the Williams Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Ohio State Buckeyes vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction. We will examine:
The Minnesota Golden Gophers’ recent form and player performance
The Ohio State Buckeyes’ recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Minnesota Golden Gophers
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Ohio State Buckeyes
Recent betting trends in games played between Ohio State Buckeyes and Minnesota Golden Gophers
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Ohio State Buckeyes vs Minnesota Golden Gophers game
Minnesota Golden Gophers Preview
The Minnesota Golden Gophers have an 8-6 record this season and are sitting in the 18th place of the Big Ten. Minnesota is coming off a 61-81 loss to Purdue. The Golden Gophers are 1-11-2 against the spread, and 6-8 in over/under while having an 8-3 home record.
Offensively, Minnesota is averaging 67.4 points per game, which is 329th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 65.1 points per game (41st). The Golden Gophers shoot 44.7% from the field (208th) and 30.1% from beyond the arc (318th). The Golden Gophers shoot 63.6% from the free-throw line (349th) and are grabbing 33.6 rebounds per game (305th).
Dawson Garcia leads Minnesota in scoring with an average of 19.1 points and a team-high 7.2 rebounds, while Lu’Cye Patterson adds 10 points, 3.3 rebounds, and a team-high 3.9 assists.
Ohio State Buckeyes Preview
The Ohio State Buckeyes have a 9-5 record this season and are sitting in the 9th place in the Big Ten. Ohio State is coming off a 62-69 loss to Michigan State. The Buckeyes are 9-5 against the spread, and 6-8 in over/under while having a 0-2 road record.
Offensively, Ohio State is averaging 81.3 points per game, which ranks 86th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 69.8 points per game (143rd). The Buckeyes shoot 49.5% from the field (23rd) and 38.4% from beyond the arc (29th). The Buckeyes shoot 69.6% from the free-throw line (241st) and are grabbing 35.3 rebounds per game (243rd).
Bruce Thornton leads Ohio State in scoring with an average of 16.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and a team-high 4.6 assists, while Devin Royal adds 14.3 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds. Ohio State will meet Oregon and Wisconsin after this game.
Why the Minnesota Golden Gophers will win
- Ohio State has lost each of its last eight road games following a home loss.
- Minnesota has won each of its last four home games when playing with a rest advantage.
- Minnesota has won the first half in four of its last five home games against Ohio State at Williams Arena.
Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win
- Ohio State has won each of its last 17 Monday night games.
- Minnesota has lost each of its last seven night games against the Big Ten Conference.
- Minnesota has lost the first half in each of its last seven night games against the Big Ten Conference.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction
Ohio State is 4-2 in their last six meetings against Minnesota, but Minnesota is 7-2 against the spread in their last 9 meetings. Over is 4-2 in their last 6 meetings, and in their most recent meeting last season, Minnesota won 88-79 at home, covering the spread, as the game went over the total. In this Ohio State Buckeyes vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction, Ohio State is coming as -5.5 road favorites. Ohio State is better offensively, scoring 13.9 points more than Minnesota, while Minnesota is better defensively, allowing 4.7 points less. The Buckeyes are winning by an average of 11.5 points this season, while the Golden Gophers are winning by an average of 2.3 points. Minnesota has been one of the worst covering teams in the nation this season and has failed to cover in each of their last 10 games, going 0-8-2 against the spread. Take the Ohio State Buckeyes and lay the points on the road.