The New Orleans Privateers and the Ohio State Buckeyes meet Thursday in college basketball action from Value City Arena. New Orleans enters this matchup at 5-6 on the year. The Privateers beat Birmingham-Southern in their latest outing. As for Ohio State, they’re coming off a win over UCLA which improved the Buckeyes to 9-2 overall. Let’s get into our New Orleans vs. Ohio State prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

New Orleans Privateers 

The Privateers were only able to win four of their first 10 games this year. Those victories came versus Millsaps, Southern-New Orleans, Central Arkansas and Belhaven. Otherwise it was losses to Loyola Chicago, Oklahoma State, North Dakota, Minnesota, San Jose State and San Francisco in that time. 

In their last matchup on December 14 versus Birmingham-Southern, the Privateers were able to notch a blowout win. New Orleans was up 49-24 by the break, then scored 42 more points in a 91-51 result. Topping the team was Jordan Johnson with 16 points, four rebounds and five assists in the victory. 

Ohio State Buckeyes 

Over on the Buckeyes’ side, they only lost one of their first nine games: a 73-66 result versus Texas A&M. Otherwise it was wins over Oakland, Merrimack, Western Michigan, Alabama, Santa Clara, Central Michigan, Minnesota and Miami-OH. Game 10 was another loss however, this time to Penn State 83-80. 

Ohio State was able to bounce back quickly after the Penn State loss. The Buckeyes took out UCLA on Saturday, posting a 45-37 advantage in the second half for a 67-60 result. Leading the scoring for Ohio State was Roddy Gayle with 19 points, six rebounds and one steal along the way. 

ANDREW’S FREE NEW ORLEANS VS OHIO STATE PREDICTION 

I’m staying with Ohio State I suppose. The Buckeyes started a little slow (just 22 first-half points) in their latest win over UCLA, but everything worked out in the end. Ohio State shot 44.6 percent in that one but was pretty miserable from 3-point range on a 1-of-15 (6.7 percent) clip. The Buckeyes have hit 73 or more points in all but two games so far this year and shouldn’t have any issues scoring on Thursday. New Orleans is coming off a big win versus an overmatched opponent, but needless to say it won’t be easy keeping pace in this one. Ohio State should roll.