GAME:  #803 Ohio State vs #804 Minnesota
TIME:    12/15/2019 – 6:30p EST
SPREAD:   Ohio State -8
TOTAL:      129.5
SPORTSBOOK:  5Dimes Sportsbook 

The #3 Ohio State Buckeyes (9-0) are set to play a road game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-5). The Buckeyes are looking for their 10th straight win of the season as they pounded Penn State 106-74 on their home court while Minnesota lost 72-52 at Iowa on Monday.  These teams met twice last year in conference play and Ohio State won both games, 79-59 at home and 49-67 at Minnesota. 

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

The Ohio State Buckeyes are averaging 80 points per game while shooting 49% from the field and 41% from 3 averaging 9.6 three-pointers per game. The Buckeyes are allowing only 54 points per game on 33% field goal shooting from their opponents on defense. The Buckeyes are forcing 13 turnovers per game while adding 4 steals on defense. Kaleb Wesson leads the team with 14 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game while CJ Walker leads with 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals, Kyle Young is shooting a team-best 68% from the field as well. 

MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are averaging 70 points per game on 43% field goal shooting while shooting 34% from 3 averaging 9-3’s per game.  The Golden Gophers are allowing 64 points per game on 40% field goal shooting while forcing 12 turnovers per game and adding 6 steals and 3 blocks per contest. Daniel Oturu leads Minnesota with 18 points, 11 rebounds, 3.6 blocks, and is shooting 65% from the field.  Marcus Carr is adding 6.7 assists while Gabe Kalsheeur is averaging 1.1 steals per game. 

OHIO STATE vs MINNESOTA PREDICTION

This game is considered an early-season must-win for Minnesota as they cannot afford another conference loss this early.  But you will want to look closely at the line movements and public numbers here. The public is pounding Ohio State and the line has gone from -9 down to -7 which is called Reverse Line Movement.  There is also sharp money on Minnesota which means a lot of large wagers have been placed on Minnesota by people known as Sharps or Pro’s. Either you take Minnesota or nothing in this game.  In regards to the total, The Ohio State Buckeyes should be able to shut down this Minnesota offense and hold their perimeter shooting. Minnesota will be ready to put up a defensive battle in this contest which should make it a close low-scoring game.   

TRENDS

OHIO STATE

• The Buckeyes are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
• The Buckeyes are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite.

MINNESOTA

• The under is 6-1-1 in Golden Gophers last 8 Sunday games.
• The Golden Gophers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following an ATS loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

• The home team is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
• The favorite is 20-6 ATS in the last 26 meetings.

BETTING ANGLES:

Data Analysis:  Minnesota +8 / Under 129.5
Fade the Public:  Minnesota +8 / Under 129.5
Sharp Action:    Minnesota +8 / no data

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Ohio State vs Minnesota Prediction & Analysis College Basketball