Value Center Arena - Columbus, OH
Tip-off: Tuesday, 1:00 p.m.
Line: Ohio State -9, Total: 139

No. 9 Ohio State looks to get the Big Ten season off on the right track on Tuesday afternoon when its hosts Iowa.

Ohio State (5-6 ATS, 8-3 OVER) has been very good early in the season, but a game against Iowa (3-6 ATS, 1-4 UNDER) will give the Buckeyes another great test to see just how good they can be. Both of these schools were able to win on the road during last season’s series, with the Hawkeyes knocking off the Buckeyes, 84-74 in Columbus. Iowa was down for the majority of the game, but finished on a 22-9 run to get the victory. The Big Ten plays many games on Tuesdays, and that has been a struggle for Iowa, as the team is 0-6 ATS over the past two seasons on Tuesday games. Iowa shoots only 30% from threes on the season, and Ohio State has been great in games when holding opponents under 30% from deep, going 10-2 ATS in that scenario over the past two seasons. The Buckeyes may be without PF Anthony Lee (ankle), but Hawkeyes SG Anthony Clemmons (ankle) has been upgraded to probable.

Can Ohio State open its conference season with a comfortable victory? For the latest college basketball picks, check out The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks. The five experts are led by StatFox Gary's strong 66% ATS record (23-12), which includes a perfect 5-0 ATS mark since Dec. 23. StatFox Scott is also a perfect 5-0 ATS in Best Bets since Dec. 23, and StatFox Zach is 54% ATS (19-16) to open the season.

The Big Ten is known for its physical style of basketball, and the Hawkeyes fit the conference very well. Iowa enters this game ranked 26th in the nation in rebounding (40.2 RPG) and 44th in passing (15.6 APG). However, it has really struggled on offense, ranking 126th in scoring (70.7 PPG) and 282nd in shooting (40.7% FG). The Hawkeyes have been tested this season though, as three of their four losses are to top-25 foes. PF Aaron White (15.8 PPG, 52% FG, 7.2 RPG) is the leading scorer on the team, and he is one of the toughest matchups in the conference. He is 6-foot-8, but does a very good job of scoring off the bounce. The Buckeyes have struggled down low at times this season, so look for Iowa to really feed White the ball early and often. SF Jarrod Uthoff (10.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 38% from threes) is similar to White, except he will not hesitate to hit the outside jumper. For Iowa, the biggest struggles have been on the offensive side of the court, mainly the guard play. SG Anthony Clemmons (5.3 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.6 APG) is listed at probable for the game, but if he is unable to go, the job gets tougher against a very talented Ohio State backcourt.

Ohio State has been one of the best offenses in the country in the early part of the season, and that is the biggest reason the team is 11-2. The Buckeyes rank 4th in the nation in shooting (52.6% from the field), 7th in scoring (85.3 PPG), 8th in assists (18.2 APG) and 68th in rebounding (38.1 RPG). SG D’Angelo Russell (17.7 PPG, 5.3 APG and 4.7 RPG) has been one of the best freshmen in college basketball this season, giving Ohio State a true No. 1 scorer. He is a very athletic wing player, but his ability to hit the long-range shots (46.7% threes) is the biggest reason why he is getting to the rim, because opponents are forced to contest his jumper. If Russell is able to hit a couple shots early, he has the ability to explode for 30 points. PG Shannon Scott (9.7 PPG, 7.7 APG, 2.5 SPG) is playing his best basketball of his career for the Buckeyes, as he is doing a great job of getting the team into its offense. He almost always stays under control, and puts the basketball in the best place for his teammates to score. PF Sam Thompson (9.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 52% FG) is one of the elite athletes in college basketball, but he still forces some tough shots at times. If he allows the offense to come to him, he is one of the best finishers in college basketball.