StatFox.com - Sports Handicapping Community

The Leader In Sports Handicapping

No. 22 OSU visits Minnesota on Tuesday night
By:   - 
Published: 1/6/2015  at  5:46:00 AM
  Print This Article    

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (12-3)

at MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS (11-4)

Williams Arena - Minneapolis, MN
Tip-off: Tuesday, 9:00 p.m. ET
Line: Minnesota -2.5, Total: 146

No. 22 Ohio State looks to pick up a conference road win against a Minnesota team that is looking to avoid an 0-3 start in Big Ten play.

Ohio State (6-7 ATS) bounced back from a loss to Iowa by taking care of business against Illinois, 77-61, on Saturday. Tuesday night is a big night during the Big Ten season, and the Buckeyes have been great in road games on Tuesday during the past three seasons with a perfect 6-0 ATS record in this scenario. The Gophers are looking to bounce back from consecutive road losses at Purdue and Maryland to start the conference season. Minnesota (6-5 ATS) has developed one of the better home-court advantages in college basketball, as the team has not lost at "The Barn" since Feb. 19, 2014. Richard Pitino’s squad entered Big Ten play on an eight-game winning streak, in large part because the offense was scoring 87.0 PPG in those games. However, in the two conference tilts, the Gophers are averaging only 63.0 PPG. But in Pitino's brief head coaching career, his teams are 11-1 ATS at home after playing as a road underdog. These two schools split last season's series, with both games being decided by more than 10 points. There are no significant injuries for either team in this game.

Can Minnesota pick up its first conference win on Tuesday night? For the latest college basketball picks, check out The Platinum Sheet for all the StatFox Experts selections every week throughout the entire 2013-14 season. The experts have caught fire since Dec. 23, combining for a 64% ATS mark (32-18) in college basketball Best Bets. StatFox Gary is 9-1 ATS during this timeframe to improve to 68% ATS (27-13) for the season, while StatFox Scott is on an 8-2 ATS Best Bets run since Dec. 23. StatFox Zach and StatFox Brian are both 55% ATS (22-18) on college hoops Best Bets this season.

Known as more of a grind-it-out team in the past few seasons, Ohio State has been one of the best offenses in college basketball this season. Thad Matta’s team ranks fourth in the nation in shooting (52.3% FG), ninth in scoring (83.4 PPG) and ninth in assists (17.6 APG). The defense is also strong, allowing only 59.5 PPG (44th in nation) with 9.1 steals per game (15th in NCAA) and 5.1 blocks per game (38th in nation). SG D’Angelo Russell (17.7 PPG, 5.3 APG, 43% threes) has been one of the best freshmen in college basketball this season, giving Ohio State a true No. 1 scorer. He has shown a complete offensive game early in his career, and he also does a great job of capitalizing at the free throw line (78% FT). The most impressive thing has been Russell's adjustment to college basketball, and the way he plays within the offense. He has had occasional tough scoring nights throughout the season, but for the most part, has given the Buckeyes a consistent 15-to-20 points every night. PG Shannon Scott (7.9 PPG, 7.4 APG and 2.5 SPG) is a steady floor general who does a great job of getting the Buckeyes into their offense. Ohio State has athletes that can get out and run, and Scott has done a nice job of picking the right spot to get into transition. Ohio State is shooting nearly 41% on threes, with SG Marc Loving (12.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 56% threes) being the biggest reason why. He is another player that thrives in the transition, but in a different reason. With SF Sam Thompson (10.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.1 APG) such a threat for a highlight-reel dunk, Loving is able to run to the corner, where has shown to be nearly automatic while leading the Big Ten in three-point shooting. If Ohio State is able to get out and run, the Buckeyes will be in great shape to get the victory.

This is a huge game for the Gophers if they want to remain in the Big Ten hunt, as well as bolster their NCAA Tournament resume. Like Ohio State, Minnesota has been great on offense, ranking third in the NCAA in assists (18.9 APG), 16th in scoring (80.4 PPG) and 26th in shooting (48.4% FG). Although the defense ranks second in the nation in steals (11.7 SPG), the team still allows 65.2 PPG (165th in NCAA). This game figures to be played at a high pace, and if the Gophers are able to force some turnovers, they will have a chance to get a big conference victory. Minnesota has a nice balanced offensive attack, with SG Carlos Morris (13.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.5 APG) leading six players with at least 9.4 PPG. The 6-foot-5 Morris does a nice job of using his height to finish over smaller opponents. PF Maurice Walker (12.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.6 BPG) is the leader in the paint, and he showed in the loss to Maryland that he can be a dominant player, tallying 20 points and 10 rebounds. The Gophers has a lot of players that can score on the perimeter, and that should open up things for Walker to have room in the paint to attack the defense. Minnesota also shoots the ball well from three-point range (40.1%), while hitting nearly eight threes per game.


FoxSheets.com
The FoxSheets - the most advanced sports handicapping information available on the internet.
Sign up for professional sports betting information including fantastic trends, and Free FoxSheets.
E-mail: