Ohio State vs Iowa Predictions, College Basketball Expert Picks 2/20/2020

Game: Ohio State Buckeyes vs Iowa Hawkeyes

Date: Thursday, February 20, 2020

Location: Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, IA

TV: ESPN, ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: Iowa -1

Total/Over-Under: 134

The Ohio State Buckeyes travel to Carver-Hawkeye Arena to play the Iowa Hawkeyes on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Iowa as 1 point favorites.

Ohio State comes into this game with an overall record of 17-8. They currently have a point differential of 10.1 as they are averaging 71.5 points per game while giving up 61.4 per contest. Iowa has an overall mark of 18-8. They are averaging 78.2 points per contest and giving up 71.7, which is a point differential of 6.5.

Valuable Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Trends

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 14-10-1 against the spread

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 9-16-0 against the over/under

Important Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Trends

The Iowa Hawkeyes are 15-11-0 against the spread

The Iowa Hawkeyes are 10-15-1 against the over/under

Key Ohio State Buckeyes Injuries

11/05/19 G Musa Jallow Ankle is out for season
01/31/20 G D.J. Carton Personal is out indefinitely
01/15/20 F Justice Sueing Foot is out for season

Key Iowa Hawkeyes Injuries

12/16/19 G Jordan Bohannon Hip is out for season
12/06/19 F Patrick McCaffery Illness is out for season
11/25/19 F Jack Nunge ACL is out for season
02/19/20 G CJ Fredrick Ankle is questionable Thursday vs Ohio State

Player Spotlight

Duane Washington Jr. averages 10.6 points per game in 23.1 minutes per contest. He averages 1.5 assists per contest and 2.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 42% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%. Kaleb Wesson comes into this contest averaging 14.1 points per game while playing 29.0 minutes per night. He pulls down 9.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 56% while his free throw percentage is at 72%.

Player Spotlight

Joe Wieskamp averages 14.9 points per game and he sees the court an average of 32.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.2 rebounds per contest and 1.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 83%. Luka Garza averages 23.7 points per game while playing 30.8 minutes per contest. He grabs 9.7 rebounds per game and has 1.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 56% and his free throw percentage is at 66%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Buckeyes allow 61.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 12th in Division 1. They also allow a 38% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 16th and 194th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.7 rebounds a game which ranks 40th, and they give up 10.2 assists per contest which puts them in 26th place in the NCAA. They force 12.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 110th in the nation. Ohio State averages 71.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 163rd in the country. Their average scoring margin is 10.1 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 105th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 13th in D-1. They average 36.7 rebounds per game and 13.9 assists per contest, which ranks them 113th and 112th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 174th with 13.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Hawkeyes surrender 71.7 points per contest, which ranks them 247th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 43% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 194th and 136th in those defensive statistics. They rank 309th with 14.9 assists allowed per contest, and 171st with 34.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hawkeyes are 117th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 12.7 per game. Iowa is 24th in the country with 78.2 points per game this year. They are 106th in the D-1 in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 6.5. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 94th in the nation. They are 76th in the country in rebounding with 37.8 boards per game and 7th in assists per contest with 17.3. The Hawkeyes are 270th in turnovers per game with 12.2.

Advanced Statistics

The Buckeyes have an offensive rating of 107.1, which is ranked 64th. They are 296th in college basketball in pace with 66.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 50th. As a unit they are 42nd in the nation in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 66th in D-1. Ohio State is 102nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.4 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Iowa is 303rd in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.7 times per 100 possessions. The Hawkeyes are 18th in the country in offensive rating with 110.4. In terms of pace they are 100th in Division 1 with 70.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 99th. As a team they are 78th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 186th in the nation.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Iowa -1

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