Ohio State vs Michigan: Betting Odds, Picks, and Predictions (2/12/22)

Ohio State vs Michigan Betting Odds

The classic football rivalry hits the hardcourt Saturday night, as the Buckeyes Travel to Ann Arbor to play the Wolverines.

Michigan is coming off its best and most complete win over the season, blowing out No. 3 ranked Purdue on Thursday night. It was totally unexpected from a Michigan team that has looked lost all season.

Meanwhile, the Buckeyes have lost two of their last three games, including a devastating two-point loss to Rutgers Wednesday night.

This could be a classic buy-low spot for OSU and a classic sell-high spot for UM. But have the Wolverines turned the corner?

Ohio State Buckeyes Odds

Between Malaki Branham and EJ Liddell, the Buckeyes are deadly offensively. They’re sixth nationally in offensive efficiency and 16th in effective field goal percentage. The team takes and makes a ton of 3s, and OSU averages over 75 points per game in the process.

Defensively, it’s a completely mixed bag.

The interior defense is rather good. Liddell, Kyle Young, and Zed Key anchor a Buckeye team that’s top-50 nationally in 2-point defense and post-up points per possession allowed.

But at the same time, the Buckeyes get murdered in the pick-and-roll, on ball-screens, and by cutters. Plus, spot-up shooters have had a field day against the Buckeyes.

Ohio State just won’t pressure the ball handler much, as Chris Holtmann would rather sit back. While OSU is top-50 nationally in block rate, the Buckeyes are also sub-300 in defensive turnover rate and steal rate.

Ohio State has plenty of big wins on its resume, and it will garner a fairly high seed in the tournament. Right now, the Buckeyes are slotted for a five seed, but things could change with a win or loss tonight.

Michigan Wolverines Odds

What just happened?

Michigan looked like its season was over. The Wolverines were pathetic on defense and not much better on offense. It had dropped to sub-50 in KenPom and way out of most Bracket projections.

Following the 24-point destruction of Purdue, Michigan is now firmly on the bubble again. It also jumped 21 spots in KenPom.

Michigan put up its highest points per possession total of the season (1.32) while simultaneously allowing the lowest to its opponent (.93). And the Wolverines did it against the best offense in college hoops.

Michigan also has plenty more opportunities going forward.

So, can the Wolverines keep it up?

The short answer is yes.

The long answer is Hunter Dickinson needs to keep playing at an All-American level.

The Alexandria, Virginia product had a breakout season last year. This year, he’s developed a right hand and an outside shot. He’s shooting 41% from 3, and his ability to spread the floor while also grabbing offensive rebounds at a high rate has carried the Wolverine offense at times.

Against Purdue, he posted 22 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks. He also shot 4-for-6 from 3.

He’ll have to continue to play otherworldly for the Wolverines to make a run into the NCAA Tournament.

Ohio State vs Michigan Prediction and Pick

My pick: Over 141 (-106 at FanDuel)

The Wolverines are likely not national title contenders again. However, I’m expecting the Wolverine offense to continue to cook in the coming weeks.

Mostly because of Dickinson, who is playing better basketball than ever right now. While the Buckeye frontcourt is solid, Dickinson should be able to toast the trio of big men Holtmann should try to throw at him – especially if he continues to shoot so well from the outside.

Meanwhile, Michigan’s defense is due for some negative shooting regression. Ohio State won’t shoot 4-for-18 from 3 like Purdue did, and I am expecting Liddell and Branham to make plenty of shots in this rivalry game.

All in all, I think this is setting up for a high-scoring affair. Three of the last four meetings between these two have gone over, and I’ll take the two to go over the number one more time.

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Tanner joined Lineups to cover everything, but he has vast experience in, and unlimited passion for, Major League Baseball and NCAA Basketball. He’s a McGill University grad and former (Canadian) Division-I alpine ski racer who now spends his time drinking beer and betting home underdogs. Patrick Mahomes is a poor man’s Tom Brady.

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