Iowa Hawkeyes vs Ohio State Buckeyes Point Spread Picks

Iowa yields the 12th fewest points in the country at 65.9 per game. Ohio State knows this well, having lost 74-57 to the Hawkeyes on Feb. 25. That game went UNDER, and so should this one. The Hawkeyes defeated Maryland, 75-64, yesterday to advance to this game. Not only is Iowa playing without rest, but it will also be playing its third game in five days. So the Hawkeyes are not about to change their slow pace. Ohio State has won three in a row since losing to Iowa. The Buckeyes are in good defensive form. They are giving up an average of 70.4 points a game during their last seven games. That is three points below their defensive season average. Their increased defensive emphasis should be on full display in this Big Ten Conference revenge spot. Playing this game at the neutral, tough-to-shoot United Center is another plus for the UNDER. Take the UNDER. 

It isn't very likely we will see either of these teams in the NCAA Tournament, unless they win it all. Iowa is a good scoring team, and have defended ok. The oddsmakers have overrated their point totals and when the Championship games begin, the emphasis becomes more and more defensive. Couple that with new shooting backgrounds to get used to and the recipe is ripe for a low scoring game. The Hawkeyes have played 5-3 to the UNDER in their past eight games. Outside of a crazy 116-114 game vs. Nebraska, the Buckeyes have played three of four UNDER. Bet this game to stay UNDER the total.

The Iowa Hawkeyes will probably have to win the Big-10 Tournament to punch a ticket to the big dance. They are 18-13 on the season, but just 7-7 in their last 14 games. They did beat Ohio St. in the only meeting this season in a game that saw the UNDER prevail,despite the fact the Hawkeyes shot 55% in the game. Ohio St. has played 5 of their last 7 games UNDER the total, and just one of those games would have passed the total posted here. This game fell shy of the total early in the season despite very good shooting, I would expect those shots won't be dropping as frequently here with some early nerves. Make the play UNDER the total.