Ohio State vs Penn State Predictions, Picks, Tips, 1/18/2020

Game: Ohio State Buckeyes vs Penn State Nittany Lions

Date: Saturday, January 18, 2020

Location: Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, PA

TV: ESPN, ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: Penn State +1.5

Total/Over-Under: 138.5

The Ohio State Buckeyes travel to Bryce Jordan Center to play the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday, January 18, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Ohio State as 1.5 point favorites.

Ohio State comes into this game with an overall record of 12-5. They currently have a point differential of 13.9 as they are averaging 73.8 points per game while giving up 59.9 per contest. Penn State has an overall record of 12-5. They are averaging 77.2 points per game and surrendering 67.5, good for a point differential of 9.7.

Valuable Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Trends

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 10-7-0 against the spread

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 6-11-0 against the over/under

Important Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 9-8-0 against the spread

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 10-7-0 against the over/under

Key Ohio State Buckeyes Injuries

11/05/19 G Musa Jallow Ankle is out indefinitely
01/15/20 F Justice Sueing Foot is out for season
01/15/20 G Duane Washington Jr. Suspension is questionable
01/15/20 G Luther Muhammad Suspension is questionable

Key Penn State Nittany Lions Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Kaleb Wesson comes into this contest averaging 14.4 points per game while playing 27.9 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 9.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 75%. D.J. Carton averages 10.2 points per game in 24.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.9 assists per contest and 2.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 72%.

Player Spotlight

Lamar Stevens averages 16.1 points per game while playing 29.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.1 rebounds per game and has 2.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 72%. Myreon Jones averages 13.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.1 rebounds per contest and 2.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Ohio State averages 73.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 122nd in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 13.9 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 77th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 20th in the nation. They average 38.6 rebounds per game and 14.4 assists per game, which ranks them 70th and 101st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 148th with 13.8 per game. The Buckeyes allow 59.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 17th in the country. They also allow a 37% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 9th and 132nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 32.1 rebounds a game which ranks 48th and they give up 9.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 24th place in Division 1. They force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 127th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Penn State is 54th in the country with 77.2 points per game this year. They are 153rd in Division 1 in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 9.7. They shoot 31% from 3-point range, which is good for 287th in the nation. They are 38th in the NCAA in rebounding with 39.9 boards per game, and 77th in assists per contest with 14.8. The Nittany Lions are 286th in turnovers per game with 12.1. The Nittany Lions surrender 67.5 points per contest, which ranks them 144th in D-1. Their defense allows a 39% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 51st and 218th in those defensive statistics. They rank 131st with 11.9 assists allowed per contest and 295th with 37.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Nittany Lions are 239th in country in forcing turnovers with 14.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Buckeyes have an offensive rating of 108.8, which is ranked 41st. They are 275th in college basketball in pace with 67.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 35th. As a unit they are 27th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shot attempts, ranking 61st in D-1. Ohio State is 110th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.7 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Penn State is 320th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.3 times per 100 possessions. The Nittany Lions have an offensive rating of 106.4, which is ranked 84th. They are 66th in D-1 in pace with 72.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 165th. As a unit they are 166th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shot attempts, ranking 107th in the country.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Penn State +1.5

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