Ohio State Buckeyes vs Auburn Tigers NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/14/24
The Buckeyes and Tigers are set to face off at 1:00 ET on ESPN2. The Tigers will host the game at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA. The odds for this non-conference game currently have Auburn as the -11.5 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 152.5 points.
OHIO STATE BUCKEYES VS AUBURN TIGERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes +11.5
This game will be played at State Farm Arena at 1:00 ET on Saturday, December 14th.
WHY BET THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 74-73 in favor of the Tigers.
- Even though we have Auburn winning straight-up, we like Ohio State at +11.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 152.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.
Will the Buckeyes Defense Show Up on the Road?
The Buckeyes improved to 6-3 on the season with an 80-66 win over Rutgers on Saturday. Ohio State, playing at home, entered the game as -5.5 favorites and covered the spread with the victory.
Ohio State led 39-31 at halftime and outscored Rutgers 41-35 in the second half. The total points for the game were 146, falling short of the 154.5-point over/under line.
Ohio State’s offense put up 80 points in their last game, shooting 55.2% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 60.3%. They connected on 65% of their two-point attempts, going 26-for-40, while hitting 6-of-18 from beyond the arc for 33.3%. At the free-throw line, the Buckeyes made 10-of-13, good for 76.9%.
Devin Royal and Bruce Thornton each scored 22 points, with Royal shooting 75% from the field in just 23 minutes. Thornton hit 2-of-3 from deep, shooting 61.5% overall. Dylan Harper added 20 points, making 3-of-7 from three-point range, while also contributing 4 assists.
Ohio State’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 66 points on 55% shooting from the field. The Buckeyes allowed their opponent to hit 26 of 40 shots inside the arc, a 65% success rate.
From three-point range, Ohio State’s defense held their opponent to 33% shooting, with 6 made threes on 18 attempts. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 13 times, where they converted 10 free throws for 76%.
Do the Tigers Have What it Takes to Win as Home Favorites?
Auburn improved to 8-1 on the season with a dominant 98-54 win over Richmond on Sunday. Playing at home, the Tigers entered the game as heavy favorites, and they covered the spread of -30. The total points for the game reached 152, surpassing the O/U line of 145.5.
Auburn took control early, leading 52-27 at halftime, and continued their strong play in the 2nd half, outscoring Richmond 46-27.
Auburn’s offense exploded for 98 points in their last game, shooting 47.8% from the field and 43.3% from beyond the arc, connecting on 13 of 30 three-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 58%, and they also hit 19 of 27 free throws, good for 70.4%. The Tigers dished out 23 assists and grabbed 15 offensive rebounds.
Mikkel Tyne led the way with 16 points, hitting 3 of 6 from deep, while Miles Kelly and Tahaad Pettiford each contributed 15 points, with Kelly knocking down 4 of 5 threes. Chad Baker-Mazara and Jahki Howard added 13 points apiece, with Baker-Mazara also chipping in 5 assists and 6 rebounds.
Despite Auburn’s defensive effort, they allowed 54 points, with the opponent shooting 47% from the field on 33/69 attempts. The Tigers gave up 51% shooting from two-point range, with the other team hitting 20 of their 39 shots.
From beyond the arc, Auburn’s defense couldn’t contain the three-point shooters, who went 13/30 for 43%. The opponent also got to the free-throw line 27 times, converting 19 of those attempts for 70%. Auburn allowed 15 offensive rebounds in the game.