#8 Indiana Hoosiers at #5 Ohio St Buckeyes
Value City Arena – Columbus, Ohio
Sunday, January 15, 2012, 4:30 pm Eastern, TV: CBS
Opening Line: Ohio St -12 1/2
Current Line: Ohio St -13
Opening Total: 142 1/2
Current Total: 143
Opening Money Line: Ohio St -850 / Indiana +650
Current Money Line: Ohio St -850 / Indiana +650
Both Ohio St and Indiana are coming off crushing losses that dropped both schools to 3-2 in the parity driven Big Ten. Ohio St lost at Illinois Tuesday night 79-74. Indiana lost at home to Minnesota 77-74 Thursday night. Both Indiana and Ohio are currently a game behind Illinois and Michigan St at 4-1 for the conference lead as the Hoosiers and Buckeyes meet for the second time this season. The winner will join Michigan a half game behind the leaders, and the loser will fall 2 games behind. However, only 3 games separates first from last in the Big Ten this year.
Indiana beat Ohio St earlier this season on New Year’s Eve 74-70 in Bloomington. All five Hoosier starters scored in double figures but Indiana only had 4 bench points. The game was close throughout and there were 10 lead changes in the last 5 minutes. Indiana took the lead for good with 36 seconds left on a Victor Oladipo layup and played stellar defense down the stretch to seal the victory. The win snapped a 6 game losing streak against Ohio St for the Hoosiers. Overall, Indiana leads the series 102-77 against Ohio St.
The Hoosiers are coached by Tom Crean and are 15-2 this season. Besides the Minnesota loss, Indiana also has a loss at Michigan St. Indiana has wins over Evansville, Butler, NC State, Kentucky, Notre Dame, Michigan and Penn St.
Ohio St is coached by Thad Matta and are 15-3 this season. The Buckeyes have a loss at Kansas in addition to the Indiana and Illinois losses. Ohio St has wins over Wright St, Florida, Valparaiso, Duke, South Carolina, Miami-Ohio, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Iowa.
Indiana is outscoring opponents 82-64 this season. The Hoosiers are shooting 50.5% from the field, and 47.6% from 3 point range. The Hoosiers are in the top seven nationally in points, field goal percentage and 3 point percentage. Indiana makes 73% of their free throws. The Hoosiers average 35.2 rebounds a game, and have a rebounding margin of +3.2. Indiana averages 15.3 assists, 13.3 points, 8.4 steals, and 3.6 blocks a game. Indiana opponents are shooting 41% from the field and 32% from 3 point range. The Hoosiers force 16.6 turnovers a game on defense.
Indiana has 5 players averaging double digit scoring. Freshman forward Cody Zeller averages 14.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks a game. He leads Indiana in scoring rebounds, and blocks. Christian Watford averages 13.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists a game. He makes 52.9% from 3 point range. Jordan Hulls average 12.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists to lead the team, and 1.1 steals a game. He makes 58.2% of his three point attempts. Victor Oladipo averages 11.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.8 steals a game to lead the team. Will Sheehey averages 10.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists a game. He has missed the last 5 games with an ankle injury and is doubtful for this game. Maurice Creek is out for the season with a torn Achilles’ tendon.
Indiana is outscoring opponents 82-65 this season. The Hoosiers are shooting 50.1% from the field, and 45.9% from 3 point range. The Hoosiers are in the top nine nationally in points, field goal percentage and 3 point percentage. Indiana makes 73.8% of their free throws. The Hoosiers average 35.2 rebounds a game, and have a rebounding margin of +3.1. Indiana averages 14.7 assists, 13.4 points, 8.2 steals, and 3.7 blocks a game. Indiana opponents are shooting 41.4% from the field and 32.2% from 3 point range. The Hoosiers force 16.2 turnovers a game on defense.
Indiana has 5 players averaging double digit scoring. Freshman forward Cody Zeller averages 14.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks a game. He leads Indiana in scoring rebounds, and blocks. Christian Watford averages 12.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists a game. He makes 49.1% from 3 point range. Jordan Hulls average 12.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists to lead the team, and 1.1 steals a game. He makes 55.6% of his three point attempts. Oladipo averages 11.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.8 steals a game to lead the team. Will Sheehey averages 10.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists a game. Maurice Creek is out for the season with a torn Achilles’ tendon.
Ohio St is outscoring opponents 78-56 this season. The Buckeyes are shooting 49.5% from the field including 33.3% from 3 point range. Ohio St makes 68.2% of their free throws. The Buckeyes average 37.3 rebounds a game, and has a rebounding margin of +8.3. Ohio St averages 17 assists, 11.8 turnovers, 8.3 steals, and 2.6 blocks a game. Buckeye opponents are shooting 40% from the field, including 32.1% from 3 point range. Ohio St is forcing 18.1 turnovers a game, and opponents only average 8.8 assists a game.
Ohio St forward Jared Sullinger averages 17.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals a game. He leads the Buckeyes in scoring, rebounding and blocks, but he only averages 0.8 a game. Guard William Buford averages 15.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists a game. He is shooting 36.1% from 3 point range. Forward Deshaun Thomas averages 15.3 points and 4.2 rebounds a game. Thomas makes 36.2% of his 3 point shots. Point guard Aaron Craft averages 8.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.5 steals a game. He leads the team in steals and assists.
Ohio St is 7-6 against the spread and the total is 7-6 as well. Indiana is 8-4 ATS and the total is 9-3 this season. Ohio St is 7-1 ATS recently against Indiana. Six of the last eight have gone over the total in the series. The Hoosiers are 2-7 ATS as a road underdog of 13 points or more, 1-4 against teams with winning records, 2-8 as an underdog of 13 points or more, 1-4 overall, and as a road underdog, 1-6 after a straight up loss, 1-7 after failing to cover, and 1-10 in Big Ten games. The Buckeyes are 4-0 ATS in Sunday games, 5-0 at home against teams with winning road records, 7-1 as a home favorite of 13 points or more, 5-1 at home and as a home favorite, 7-2 as a favorite of 13 points or more, and 5-2 after a straight up loss.
This line is ridiculous. I know they are playing Columbus this time, but the two teams just played in Bloomington two weeks ago. Really, Indiana is 17 points worse two weeks later? That is what the oddsmakers are saying with Ohio St being favored by 13 points. Both teams need this game, and I think it will be down to the wire again. Take the gift of 13 points.
