Ohio State vs Auburn Prediction 12-14-24 College Basketball Picks
Auburn (8-1) vs. Ohio State (6-3)
December 14, 2024 1:00 pm EDT
The Line: Ohio State +9.5; Over/Under: 151.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Auburn Tigers and the Ohio State Buckeyes meet Saturday in college basketball action from State Farm Arena. Here’s an Ohio State vs Auburn prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Ohio State vs Auburn pick.
Auburn Tigers Betting Preview
Auburn came out of the gate hot this year, rattling off wins over Vermont, Houston, Kent State, North Alabama, Iowa State, North Carolina, and Memphis. After a loss to Duke early this month, the Tigers came back for a win over Richmond.
In the Richmond matchup on Sunday, the Tigers didn’t have too many issues. After a 52-27 halftime lead, Auburn ended up cruising to a 98-54 blowout victory. Tops in scoring with 15 points each were Miles Kelly and Tahaad Pettiford.
Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview
Over on the Ohio State side, they won five of their first six games versus Texas, Youngstown State, Evansville, Campbell, and Green Bay. After losses to Pitt and Maryland, the Buckeyes took out Rutgers last weekend.
In last Saturday’s matchup with the Scarlet Knights, the Buckeyes held an eight-point lead in the locker room and finished off with 41 more points in an 80-66 win. Both Devin Royal and Bruce Thornton scored 22 points apiece to lead the way.
Why the Auburn Tigers will win
- Auburn has won 11 of its last 12 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Ohio State has lost five of its last six games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents.
- Auburn has won the first half in each of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Ohio State Buckeyes will win
- Ohio State has won seven of its last eight day games.
- Ohio State has won the first half in seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.
Ohio State vs Auburn Prediction
I’ll likely stick with Auburn. The Tigers bounced back well versus an overmatched Richmond team in their last outing, hitting 47.8 percent from the field with a 49-31 rebounding edge. The 19-of-27 (70.4 percent) from the line was really the only minor blemish. Auburn is scoring quite well this year with 74 or more points in all nine games.
As for Ohio State, they handled a middling Rutgers team with 55.2 percent shooting and 32 rebounds last weekend. The Buckeyes have a couple of scoring duds this year (64 against Texas A&M and 59 versus Maryland—both road games) but overall they’re scoring pretty well too. I don’t quite think Ohio State has the gas to keep a cover pace on Auburn if the Tigers get going, though.
