The Ohio State Buckeyes (12-8) travel to face off against the Penn State Nittany Lions (13-8) on Thursday, January 30th. This game will be played at Bryce Jordan Center in University Park and televised on FS1. Ohio State is coming off a win in their previous game, while Penn State is looking to get back on track from a loss to the Michigan. Tip-off is set for 6:30 ET.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs Penn State Nittany Lions
The Buckeyes Are Coming Off A Win
Ohio State Buckeyes Recent Game/Games
Ohio State improved to 12-8 on the season with an 82-65 home win over Iowa on Monday, January 27th. The Buckeyes, who were -7 favorites, covered the spread. The game’s total points of 147 fell short of the O/U line of 156.5.
Ohio State led 30-26 at halftime and broke the game open in the 2nd half, scoring 52 points while allowing 39.
The Nittany Lions Are Coming Off A Win
Penn State Nittany Lions Recent Game/Games
Penn State fell to 13-8 on the season after a 76-72 road loss to Michigan on Monday. Despite being +8.5 point underdogs, the Nittany Lions kept it close and covered the spread.
The game’s total points of 148 fell short of the 159.5 O/U line. Penn State trailed 35-35 at halftime and were outscored 41-37 in the second half.
Buckeyes Offense Breakdown
Ohio State put up 82 points in their last game, shooting 48.4% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 54.8%, thanks to hitting 62.9% of their two-point attempts, though they struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 29.6% of their threes (8/27).
At the free-throw line, the Buckeyes shot 73.7% (14/19) and grabbed 11 offensive rebounds. Drew Thelwell led the way with 20 points, shooting 80% overall and 75% from three. Bruce Thornton added 15 points, hitting 60% from deep, while John Mobley Jr. contributed 12 points and 8 assists, despite shooting just 30.8% overall and 20% from three.
Nittany Lions Offense Breakdown
Penn State’s offense put up 72 points in their last game, shooting 49% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 58.8%. They connected on 47.4% of their three-point attempts, hitting 9 of 19 from deep, and were efficient at the free-throw line, making 81.2% of their shots (13/16).
Tre Donaldson led the way with 21 points and 7 assists, shooting 61.5% from the field and 42.9% from three. Nick Kern Jr. added 16 points and 10 rebounds, while D’Marco Dunn hit 3 of 4 from beyond the arc, finishing with 13 points on 80% shooting.
Buckeyes Team Defense
Ohio State’s defense gave up 65 points in their last game, allowing the opposing team to shoot 48% from the field, with 30 made baskets on 62 attempts. They struggled to contain two-point shots, as the other team hit 62% of those, going 22/35.
From beyond the arc, Ohio State held the opposition to 29% shooting, with 8 made threes on 27 attempts. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 19 times, where they converted 14 shots for a 73% success rate. The Buckeyes allowed 11 offensive rebounds.
Nittany Lions Team Defense
Ohio State’s defense gave up 65 points, with the opposing team shooting 48% from the field. They allowed 62% shooting from two-point range, as the other team made 22 of 35 attempts.
From beyond the arc, Ohio State’s opponents shot 29%, hitting 8 of 27 threes. They also went 14/19 from the free-throw line, a 73% success rate, while grabbing 11 offensive rebounds.
Buckeyes vs Nittany Lions Trends
- The Buckeyes are 3-2 ATS in their last road games and 3-2 straight-up.
- In their last ten games at home, the Nittany Lions have a straight up record of 2-8 while going 5-4-1 vs. the spread. The team averaged 71 points per game in this stretch.
- The last ten games that Ohio State was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 6-4 while going 4-6 straight up.
- Across their last three matchups as the betting favorite, the Nittany Lions have an overall record of 2-1 while going 1-2 against the spread.
Buckeyes vs Nittany Lions Prediction
We’re putting our money on the Nittany Lions to win, and have the projected score sitting at 77-69. We also like them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to bet on the Nittany Lions at -2.5.
Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 148.5 and given that our model is projecting 146 points between the teams, we like the under.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.
Last updated:January 30, 2025 Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions