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Ohio State vs. Michigan State prediction and odds for Big 10 Tournament quarterfinals

By Josh Yourish

Head coach Tom Izzo, G Tyson Walker, Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Head coach Tom Izzo, G Tyson Walker, Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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The last time the Michigan State Spartans were in action was their regular season finale against the Ohio State Buckeyes back on March 4, but since then Ohio State has been very busy. The Buckeyes came into the Big 10 Tournament as the 13 seed, but have beaten Wisconsin and Iowa to get to this quarterfinal matchup with the Spartans.

Michigan State won that matchup on the final day of the college basketball regular season, 84-78, but a lot has changed since then, Ohio State is hot and might be a bid stealer in the Big 10. The Spartans are favorites to advance in this one.

Ohio State vs. Michigan State odds, spread and total

Ohio State vs. Michigan State prediction and pick

This is Tom Izzo’s month, everybody knows that his teams usually play their very best basketball in March. The Spartans have some advantages, mostly their shooting ability with Tyson Walker and Joey Hauser. As a team they shot over 40% from three in the regular season, they were the third best team in the country from behind the arc. They’re also top 30 in free throw percentage which is big in close games.

However, Iowa was an excellent shooting team and Ohio State eliminated them yesterday because they made the game ugly down the stretch and hit just enough shots. Ohio State is making noise in this tournament, but they did it by beating Wisconsin, a team with a solid defense, but no reliable scoring and then Iowa who can score with anybody, but who can’t stop a nosebleed. Now, they’re facing a Michigan State team that is 36th in adjusted offense and 38th in adjusted defense. They’re solid on both ends of the floor and that’ll be an issue for the Buckeyes.

Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard are exactly the type of backcourt you want to trust in March, a Senior scorer and a Junior point guard both with big game experience, quality shooting. The worry is that Hoggard averages 2.5 turnovers a game, and MSU’s turnover margin is well in the negatives, but I don’t think it’ll cost them against Ohio State.

Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change