GAME:  #731 Ohio St. vs #732 Iowa
TIME:    2/4/2021 – 7:00p EST
SPREAD:   Iowa -5
TOTAL:      156

The #7 Ohio State Buckeyes (14-4, 8-4) have a tough BIG 10 road game against the #8 Iowa Hawkeyes (13-4, 7-3) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa on Thursday at 7 p.m. EST. Iowa defeated Michigan State 84-78 on Tuesday and Ohio State defeated the Spartans on Sunday 79-62. These teams met once last season when Iowa won by a score of 85-76. Ohio State is 4-1 against ranked opponents this season, while Iowa has won 4 of 6 games against ranked teams.

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

The Ohio State Buckeyes are averaging 77 points on 45% field goal shooting along with 7.8 threes on 34% three-point shooting per game on offense.  The Buckeyes are allowing 67 points per game on 41% field-goal shooting while forcing 10 turnovers and adding 4.8 steals at 2.6 blocks per game on the defensive end. The Buckeyes are led by E.J. Liddell who is averaging 15.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game.

IOWA HAWKEYES

The Iowa Hawkeyes are averaging  89 points on 48% field goal shooting along with 9.8 degrees on 38% three-point shooting as well as 11.5 offensive rebounds per game.  The Hawkeyes are allowing 74 points per game on 42% field-goal shooting while forcing 12.9 turnovers and adding 5.5 steals and 2.9 blocks per game on defense. The Hawkeyes are led by Luka Garza who is averaging 26.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game.

TRENDS

OHIO STATE

• The Buckeyes are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 4-1 in the Buckeyes last 5 games as an underdog.
• Over is 8-2 in Buckeyes last 10 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
• Over is 4-1 in Buckeyes last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.

IOWA

• Hawkeyes are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Under is 8-1 in Hawkeyes last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Hawkeyes are 15-2 ATS in their last 17 games following an ATS loss.
• Over is 5-1 in Hawkeye’s last 6 Thursday games.

HEAD TO HEAD

• The favorite is 6-0 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
• The home team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.

OHIO STATE vs IOWA PREDICTION PICK

The Ohio State Buckeyes have been playing good basketball lately but they haven’t quite seen an opponent with the offensive firepower of the Hawkeyes. Ohio State can play good defense but against this Iowa team that averages over 90 points per game at home will be a difficult challenge. Iowa has covered the spread in 3 of the last 5 home games and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games against Ohio State. Ohio St is being backed by the public because they have been playing well compared to an Iowa team that had a tough stretch of games. Don’t let the numbers fool you as Iowa is the much better team that should win by double digits. If Ohio State can prevent a blow out the total should go Over. The Bookie is rolling with the Iowa Hawkeyes to win and cover the spread. 

BETTING ANGLES:

The Bookie:         Iowa -5 / Over 156
Fade the Public:  Iowa / Over
Sharp Action:      Iowa / Under