Ohio State at Rutgers Betting Preview

Ohio State at Rutgers Betting Preview. Another day, another huge Big Ten showdown set to take place in the best conference in the country. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights will host the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday morning in what feels like a must-win game for each team.

Ohio State comes into this game with a 2-3 record in Big Ten Conference action. Two of those three losses have been recently, and the Buckeyes are now three games out of first place in the Big Ten.

Rutgers is 3-3 so far in league play, but this team was expected to contend for a spot in the top four this season. The Scarlet Knights have now lost two straight games, and they need to find a way to get their season back on track.

This is also a rematch of an earlier game that was won by Ohio State by a score of 80-68.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are 3.5-point favorites on Saturday morning. 

Ohio State at Rutgers Betting Preview: Buckeyes Want to Defend

The Ohio State Buckeyes play a traditional style of Big Ten Basketball, meaning they like to slow things down and grind it out on the defensive end. Ohio State has a veteran team, and it will be up to the older players to lead the team on the road.

The Buckeyes are holding opponents to just 66 points per game this season, and defense will be a key in this game. Ohio State has proven that it can beat Rutgers already, but winning on the road is a different story.

Duane Washington Jr. leads the team with 14.9 points per game, and he is the best perimeter scoring option on the team. Forward E.J. Liddell has chipped in with 13.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. 

Ohio State at Rutgers Betting Preview: Rutgers Must Make Shots

If Rutgers is going to turn their season back around then they must shoot the ball well from the three-point line. The Scarlet Knights scored just 45 points in their most recent loss to Michigan State, and they were bad from deep.

Ron Harper Jr. leads the team with 21.1 points per game, and he is making nearly 47 percent of his three-point attempts. Jacob Young and Montez Mathis have combined for more than 29 points per game, and that duo has the ability to make shots as well.

Rutgers is a team that plays extremely hard, and they have the ability to blow this game open if they shoot well. The Scarlet Knights will also be looking for revenge after letting the Buckeyes come back and beat them earlier this season. 

Ohio State at Rutgers Betting Preview: Scarlet Knights Handle Buckeyes at Home

Even though there are no fans in attendance at most Big Ten Conference basketball games this season, home-court advantage still exists. Rutgers has been dominant at home over the last two seasons, and Ohio State will be playing in a tough environment.

Both of these teams have been struggling a bit of late, and that will make for two desperate teams going at it. Don’t expect a ton of points in this game as both teams can really defend.

Ohio State just doesn’t shoot the ball well enough to be a real threat on the road, and finding enough offense will be an issue for the Buckeyes. Rutgers has struggled to score of late as well, but they always shoot better on their home floor.

This game will be tight throughout, but it will be Rutgers that is able to make the big plays late to secure an important Big Ten Conference win.

Bet on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights -3.5 over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday morning.