Buckeyes vs Mountaineers Game Odds and Analysis

No. 25 Ohio State Buckeyes (14-5 SU, 10-9 ATS) at No. 12 West Virginia Mountaineers (14-3 SU, 6-10 ATS)

Saturday, January 23: 2:00 p.m.

Here are some NCAA basketball betting trends which may impact this game:

• Ohio State: 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games
• Ohio State: 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
• West Virginia: 1-3 ATS in their last 4 games
• West Virginia: Total has gone UNDER in their last 4 games

At this time of year it’s rare to see teams step out of conference play and challenge themselves against top flight competition. But that’s exactly what’s happening Saturday, when West Virginia hosts Ohio State. Who’ve you got in the college basketball betting action?

For Ohio State Buckeyes it has been an up and down year, with their success directly correlated to the play of All-American Evan Turner. Turner missed six games earlier this season after taking a vicious fall on his back, and the Buckeyes struggled, losing three games in that time. However, the small forward returned a few weeks back, and Ohio State hasn’t looked back, leading his team to four victories in their last five games.

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Simply put, Turner is the most versatile player in college basketball this season. He has an unbelievable stat line, averaging 18 points, close to 10 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game, all of which lead the team. He has help however, in the form of junior guard David Lighty, who too has had to overcome injuries himself. Lighty appears to be finally healthy and is averaging 13 points a contest. Jon Diebler and Will Buford average double-figures as well.

But with all the talk about how well the Buckeyes are playing, don’t sleep on West Virginia Mountaineers. They at 14-3 and 4-2 in Big East play and are one of the most underrated teams anywhere. The Mountaineers get things done first and foremost on the defensive end, where they hold opponents to just 62 points per game.

However, they are excellent on the offensive end as well. Their best scorer is senior Da’Sean Butler, who could potentially be an All-Big East performer, averaging 18 points per game. Devin Ebanks and Kevin Jones are versatile athletes that defend well down low, and both have the frame and skill-set that intrigues NBA scouts.

But when these two teams square off, who will have the advantage? While West Virginia is bigger and slightly more athletic down low, take the Ohio State guards to do big-time damage. Simply put, there is no true way to defend Turner, he’s as good as advertised, and then some. And when Diebler is making his three’s and Buford is able to penetrate to the basket, it makes the Buckeyes that much tougher.

There’s a reason that Ohio State has beaten two ranked teams and three probable NCAA Tournament teams in the last 10 days, they’re playing that well. And even though they are going on the road, expect the Buckeyes to cover Saturday’s betting odds.

Aaron’s Pick: Ohio State by 4