Minnesota vs Ohio State Prediction 1-6-25 College Basketball Picks

The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Minnesota Golden Gophers meet Monday in college basketball action from Williams Arena. Here’s a Minnesota vs Ohio State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Minnesota vs Ohio State pick.

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview

The Buckeyes got their season started with a nice run over the first six games. The only loss in that span came to a good Texas A&M team. Otherwise, Ohio State took wins over Texas, Youngstown State, Evansville, Campbell, and Green Bay. A rough 1-3 stretch ensued after that for the Buckeyes, though. The lone win in that time came versus Rutgers. Otherwise, it was losses to Pittsburgh, Maryland, and Auburn. Following a three-game win streak over Valparaiso, Kentucky, and Indiana State in succession, the Buckeyes fell in their most recent outing versus Michigan State for a 9-5 record thus far on the season.

In the Michigan State matchup back on Friday, the Buckeyes were looking at a 37-29 deficit on the scoreboard following the first half. Ohio State did get slightly better from there but it wasn’t enough. The Buckeyes notched a 33-32 second-half run for a 69-62 defeat in the end. Leading the team in scoring during the loss was Micah Parrish with 13 points, two rebounds, and a steal. Also in double-figures was Bruce Thornton with 10 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals alongside five turnovers (a team-high). Leading the team off the bench was Ques Glover, who contributed nine points, four rebounds, and one assist in 24 minutes. Ohio State will meet Oregon and Wisconsin after this game. 

Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Preview

Over on the Minnesota side, they also opened on a solid run over their first half-dozen outings. The Gophers similarly went 5-1 in that stretch, taking a lone three-point loss to North Texas on November 13. Otherwise, it was wins over Oral Roberts, Omaha, Yale, Cleveland State, and Central Michigan at that time. Minnesota hit a 1-4 stretch in the next five games during a tough run, however. In that time the Gophers beat Bethune-Cookman and otherwise fell to Wichita State, Wake Forest, Michigan State, and Indiana. Minnesota would get back on track with wins over Fairleigh Dickinson and Morgan State prior to a huge loss versus Purdue.

Matched up against the Boilermakers in their Thursday game, the Golden Gophers were trailing by a very modest 28-27 deficit by halftime. Minnesota lost their footing completely in the second half however, falling behind on a 53-34 deficit and eventually losing big 81-61. Dawson Garcia was the team’s top scorer with 20 points, five rebounds and two assists alongside a lone block. Lu’Cye Patterson added 14 points with eight boards and three assists in 32 minutes. Tops off the bench was Isaac Asuma with seven points, four boards and two assists with one steal in 24 minutes on the court.

Why the Minnesota Golden Gophers will win

• Ohio State has lost each of its last eight road games following a home loss.
• Minnesota has won each of its last four home games when playing with a rest advantage.
• Minnesota has won the first half in four of its last five home games against Ohio State at Williams Arena.

Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win

• Ohio State has won each of its last 17 Monday night games.
• Minnesota has lost each of its last seven night games against the Big Ten Conference.
• Minnesota has lost the first half in each of its last seven night games against the Big Ten Conference.

Minnesota vs Ohio State Prediction

I’m going to stick with Ohio State, but this should be a pretty interesting matchup. The Buckeyes certainly need a bounce-back effort here as well following a pretty limp offensive showing against a good Michigan State team. Ohio State shot just 36.7 percent from the field in that defeat, with 7-of-27 (25.9 percent) from outside and 68.8 percent (11-of-16) from the line. The 16 turnovers for 18 Spartans points were the real killer in that loss, though. The good news is that Ohio State had posted 85 or more points in three straight games (all wins) prior to that, and the odds are good that the Buckeyes will be able to post a decent showing here.

As for Minnesota, they were able to hang around with Purdue initially during their last outing but lost steam in the second. The Gophers shot well from the field (48.1 percent) but also gave up 50 percent on the other side. Minnesota has given up 81 or more points in each of their last three losses, so if Ohio State can get the scoring going early here the Buckeyes will be in great shape.