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Ohio State vs. Michigan prediction and odds for Sunday, February 5 (Back Wolverines at home)

By Reed Wallach

Jan 22, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson (1) celebrates during the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson (1) celebrates during the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan and Ohio State meet on Sunday in Big Ten action with both teams currently projected to miss the NCAA Tournament.

The Wolverines got back in the win column on Thursday by blowing out Northwestern on the road while Ohio State lost at home to Wisconsin, their eighth loss in nine games.

Both teams could use a win to get back in the good graces of the NCAA Tournament selection committee with Selection Sunday fast approaching, so let’s break it down by first checking out the odds:

Ohio State vs. Michigan odds, spread and total

Ohio State vs. Michigan prediction and pick

Ohio State’s offense has fallen off a cliff in Big Ten play, revolving around freshman wing Brice Sensabaugh’s mid-range jump shooting, as the team is 10th in conference offensive efficiency, per KenPom.

The Buckeyes have the second lowest three-point rate in conference games while also posting the worst two-point percentage, clearly something isn’t clicking for the team of late.

The defense isn’t much better at the moment, struggling to clean the glass, allowing the 11th highest offensive rebounding rate in Big Ten play and the team doesn’t generate a ton of turnovers.

Meanwhile, Michigan is fighting to get back in the NCAA Tournament picture and will need to get a strong outing from Hunter Dickinson. The big man has a top 10 usage rate in Big Ten play and he has been a strong floor spacer as well, hitting nine of his 22 three-point attempts.

The ability for the Wolverines to play both inside and out and run a diverse offense is going to be this difference in this one. The team may not be an elite three-point shooting team, right around the Big Ten average, but they are more than willing to take them and that can open up driving lanes against a porous OSU defense.

Ohio State is 2-7 against the spread on the road, and I think they struggle to keep up in this one. I’ll take Michigan as small favorites.

Track all of Reed’s bets at Betstamp HERE!

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.