Ohio State Buckeyes (13-6) vs. Northwestern Wildcats (14-5)
January 27, 2024 8:30 pm EDT
The Line: Northwestern Wildcats -2.5; Over/Under: 138.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Ohio State Buckeyes will play the Northwestern Wildcats in a Big Ten game on Saturday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Illinois. Ohio State has lost four of their last five games, while Northwestern has alternated wins and losses over their last five games. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Ohio State vs Northwestern prediction.
Ohio State Preview
The Ohio State Buckeyes are 13-6 (3-5) this year after they lost to Nebraska by a score of 83-69 in their last game. Ohio State trailed 43-35 at the half and they allowed 40 points in the second half in the loss. The Buckeyes shot 48.2% from the field and were -7 in rebounding margin in the game. Ohio State defeated Penn State by a score of 79-67 in the game prior to Nebraska, but lost to Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana before that. The Buckeyes are scoring 76.1 points per game with 39.1 rebounds per game and 14.8 assists per game, while allowing 67.4 points against per game this year. Bruce Thornton is averaging 16 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, and 4.5 assists per game. Ohio State is shooting 44.8% from the field, 75.1% on free throws, and 34.4% on three pointers this season.
Northwestern Preview
The Northwestern Wildcats are 14-5 (5-3) this season after they defeated Illinois in overtime by a score of 96-91 in their last game. Northwestern allowed 44 points in the second half, but they out scored Illinois 20-15 in overtime for the win. The Wildcats shot 55.1% from the field and made 11 three pointers in the game. Northwestern lost to Nebraska by a score of 75-69 in the game prior to Illinois, but did beat Maryland before that. The Wildcats are scoring 73.9 points per game with 30.3 rebounds per game and 16.2 assists per game, while giving up 68.7 points against per game this season. Boo Buie is averaging 18.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. Northwestern is shooting 46.9% from the field, 72.5% on free throws, and 37.4% on three pointers this year.
Ohio State vs Northwestern Betting Prediction
Ohio State comes into this game after losing four of their last five games and they are 0-4 on the road in conference play. The Buckeyes allowed 83 points to Nebraska in their last game and they lost to Michigan two road games ago. Northwestern has been up and down in conference play, but they are very good at home and just beat Illinois in overtime. The Wildcats are the better shooting team and they have two wins over top 10 teams at home this year. Take Northwestern here.
