Not the most compelling slate of college hoops here on Thursday night, but we do have a monster slate on tap for Saturday. I came up with one college basketball pick for a game in the Big Ten, though — get the play with analysis below.
Ohio State at Penn State (6:30pm ET)
Ohio State and Penn State are battling in the bottom half of the Big Ten standings, but both teams have shown the potential to play at very high levels this season. The Buckeyes are coming off a pair of impressive wins, most notably a road victory at Purdue after trailing by 13 points at halftime. But prior to the two-game win streak, OSU was just 1-4 in its last five conference games, with a one-point win over Minnesota.
Now the Buckeyes are riding high, going on the road to face a hungry Penn State squad. The Nittany Lions are off consecutive losses, but both came on the road in tight games, losing by one at Iowa and four at Michigan. PSU covered both games, and despite being 1-6 over its last seven, is on a 5-0 ATS run. While winless on the road, PSU is 10-1 at home this season, and 13-1 when favored.
While 2-3 ATS on the road this season, the Buckeyes are just 4-16 in their last 20 road games, dating back. They’ve also struggled in this matchup, going 1-4 ATS in their last five against Penn State. The Buckeyes have been a second half team this season — I mentioned they trailed by 13 at Purdue at halftime, and they also trailed every road outing at the half in conference play. OSU was down to Wisconsin by 17 (lost by two), Minnesota by one (won by one), and Maryland by 33 in a blowout.
Expect Penn State, which has been playing well despite narrow losses, to come out playing with purpose in this one and take the lead into the locker room at the half.
College Basketball Pick: Penn State 1H ML (-140) 1-unit
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