NCAA Basketball Lines and Picks: Ohio State Buckeyes vs Iowa Hawkeyes
Saturday, January 07, 2012
by Frank Martin
Fresh off back-to-back conference road wins for the first time in almost five years, Iowa Hawkeyes returns home for a clash with No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday afternoon.
Iowa followed a shocking New Year's Eve win at Wisconsin by eking out a 64-62 victory at Minnesota on Wednesday.
Ohio State is coming off a 71-40 rout of Nebraska on Tuesday.
- Ohio State Buckeyes @ Iowa Hawkeyes
When: 3:00 PM ET, Saturday, January 7, 2012
Where: Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, Iowa
TV: 3 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network.
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SBG Global Sportsbook currently have the Buckeyes listed as 11-point favorites versus the Hawkeyes.
Ohio State Buckeyes (14-2): The Buckeyes rank among the national leaders in a number of categories, including scoring margin (22.7), assists (17.2), assist-turnover ratio (1.47), turnover margin (plus-6.4) and rebounding margin (plus-8.7). Ohio State has three of the Big Ten's top nine scorers — sophomore power forward Jared Sullinger (16.4 ppg), senior small forward William Buford (15.9) and sophomore forward Deshaun Thomas (15.1). Sullinger also ranks second in the league with 9.7 rebounds.
Iowa Hawkeyes (10-6): The Hawkeyes rank last in the Big Ten in scoring defense (69.9) and field-goal percentage defense (44.4), but they have managed to get by thanks to a balanced and effective offense that ranks third in the league with 76.7 ppg. Eight different players average at least 6.5 points, led by senior shooting guard Matt Gatens (13.6 ppg). After each of its first 12 games were decided by double digits, Iowa has seen its last four decided by nine points or less, with the only setback a three-point home loss to Purdue on Dec. 28.
1. Ohio State has won the last six head-to-head meetings, its longest winning streak in the history of the series, and it will be looking to win four straight in Iowa City for the first time.
2. Iowa leads the all-time series, 73-69, including a 47-22 advantage on its home floor, but none of its current players have ever beaten Ohio State.
3. The Buckeyes are 21-10 against the Hawkeyes when they come into the game nationally ranked.
BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Buckeyes 72, Hawkeyes 68.
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carver-hawkeye arena - deshaun thomas - iowa hawkeyes - jared sullinger - matt gatens - ohio state buckeyes - william buford
