Ohio State at Northwestern College Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/17/2018

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Allstate Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Ohio State Buckeyes travel to Allstate Arena to play the Northwestern Wildcats on Wednesday, January 17, 2018. The opening line for this game has Ohio State as 3.5 point favorites.

Ohio State heads into this matchup with a mark of 15-4. They currently have a point differential of 12.2 as they are averaging 79.4 points per contest while giving up 67.2 per game. Northwestern has an overall mark of 11-8. They are averaging 73.3 points per contest and giving up 67.2, which is a point differential of 6.2.

Valuable Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Trends

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 9-8 against the spread this season

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 5-12 against the over/under this year

Important Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends

The Northwestern Wildcats are 6-10 against the spread this season

The Northwestern Wildcats are 6-9 against the over/under this year

Key Ohio State Buckeyes Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Northwestern Wildcats Injuries

12/11/17 F Rapolas Ivanauskas Shoulder is out for season

Player Spotlight

Keita Bates-Diop averages 20.3 points per game while playing 31.7 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 8.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 38% while his free throw percentage is at 81%. C.J. Jackson averages 13.3 points per game in 29.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.4 assists per contest and 4.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Scottie Lindsey averages 14 points per game while playing 29.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.6 rebounds per game and has 1.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 38% and his free throw percentage is at 80%. Bryant McIntosh averages 13.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.7 rebounds per contest and 5.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 95%.

Useful Team Statistics

Ohio State averages 79.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 69th in the nation. Their average scoring margin is 12.2 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 24th. Behind the arc they shoot 38%, which is good for 78th in the country. They average 37.2 rebounds per game and 15.5 assists per game, which ranks them 122nd and 78th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 255th with 12.5 per game. The Buckeyes allow 67.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 69th in Division 1. They also allow a 40% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 47th and 140th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 32.4 rebounds a game which ranks 68th and they give up 11.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 68th place in college basketball. They force 13.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 159th in the nation.

Useful Team Statistics

Northwestern is 206th in the country with 73.3 points per game this year. They are 265th in D-1 in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is 6.2. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 134th in college basketball. They are 248th in the nation in rebounding with 34.5 boards per game, and 109th in assists per contest with 14.9. The Wildcats are 278th in turnovers per game with 12.2. The Wildcats surrender 67.2 points per contest, which ranks them 67th in the country. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 187th and 262nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 184th with 13.4 assists allowed per contest and 75th with 32.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Wildcats are 231st in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 14.4 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Buckeyes are 63rd in the country in defensive rating with 95.5, and their offensive rating of 112.8 is ranked 43rd. They are 215th in college basketball in pace with 69.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 56% is 38th. As a unit they are 40th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 246th in D-1. Ohio State is 234th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 48%, which is 69th in the country.

Advanced Statistics

Northwestern is 259th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 18.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 184th in Division 1. The Wildcats are 91st in the nation in defensive rating with 97.3, and their offensive rating of 106.2 is ranked 142nd. They are 264th in D-1 in pace with 68.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 226th. As a unit they are 195th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shot attempts, ranking 95th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Ohio State/Northwestern college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Northwestern +3.5

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