Eastern Illinois vs. Ohio State Odds, Picks, and Predictions (11/16/2022)
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It is now my favorite time of the year as College Basketball season is officially underway. As the season started just last week, we are presented with a lot of mid-major matchups going up against perennial Power-5 teams in matchups that aren’t necessarily close. Case and point with this game as the 0-3 Eastern Illinois Panthers representing the Ohio Valley Conference, heading to Columbus, Ohio to take on the 2-0 Ohio State Buckeyes of the Big Ten. This is not Eastern Illinois’ first game against a Big Ten team this season as they have already headed to Champaign to face off against the Illinois Fighting Illini in which they suffered a devastating loss 87-57.
Ohio State entered this season outside of the top-25 which many thought they had a chance to this season as head coach Chris Holtmann is known to deliver a very competitive Buckeyes team in the Big Ten. Last season ended with a 2nd round exit to Villanova in the NCAA tournament in which they were a seven-seed. Ohio State is expected to be one of the teams in the Big Ten team competing for a conference title so collecting as many out of conference wins will surely help this team’s confidence grow. Let’s get into this game’s odds and predictions.
Eastern Illinois vs. Ohio State Betting Odds
Unfortunately as the game tips off tomorrow, the lines for this game have still not been posted just yet on any books. The consensus however is that Ohio State will be entering this game as a large moneyline and spread favorites. My assumption is that they are still working on placing the spread line as Ohio State will most likely be 20+ points favorites. Ohio State won their first two games of the season against Robert Morris and Charleston Southern by wide margins. They defeated Robert Morris 91-53 and Charleston Southern 82-56. Eastern Illinois has lost all three of their first games and are starting this season on a very cold streak. After falling by 30 to Illinois, they fell to Illinois State 54-49 and to Central Michigan 76-60.
The over/under total has not been placed just yet either and will be interested to see where it will be placed. Ohio State is currently averaging 86.5 PPG while Eastern Illinois is averaging 55.3.
Eastern Illinois vs. Ohio State Picks & Predictions
My Pick: Ohio State ML
While I wish I could take a more certain pick at the moment and will most likely take Ohio State’s spread whenever it is published, I am sticking to the one actual pick I can take and that is for Ohio State to win outright. I don’t see any way Eastern Illinois upsets Ohio State on the road, especially the way the Buckeyes have started the season out against other mid-majors. Eastern Illinois has yet to put up more than 60 points in a game this year and I don’t think that will change in this game with Ohio State having yet to let up more than 60. Ohio State also has three players currently averaging double digit points with Justice Sueing, Brice Sensabaugh and Zed Key each hovering around 15 PPG. Guards Sean McNeil and Roddy Gayle Jr. are also averaging around 9 and 8 PPG with guard Isaac Likekele averaging 5 assists per game. This team has utilized their deep roster so far this season. We will see how deep they will play come Big Ten season but at least for now, they should have their way against these small mid-majors while Eastern Illinois still fights for its first win of the year.
Key Matchup
Zed Key vs. Eastern Illinois
My main matchup to look for and the player who I think will be the most important player for the Buckeyes this season is the big man Zed Key. Key plays a Forward/Center and is 6 ‘8 “ and 245 lbs. He became a regular starter last year and is a major returner for Ohio State this year. Last season he averaged 7.8 PPG and 5.6 RPG last year but expect those numbers to vastly improve as his role enlarges as well this year as one of the Buckeyes’ main scorers. Throughout two games, he is averaging 15 PPG and 11.8 RPG. Expect another dominant game from Key against the Panther. If he can continue averaging a double-double heading into Big Ten season, expect him to be a major wrecking ball in the conference that could elevate Ohio State to being a legitimate contender.
