Purdue at Ohio State Lines, Free Pick & TV Info

Football season didn’t end how the Ohio State University had hoped as the Buckeyes were crushed in the national semifinals. So now it’s basketball season in Columbus and perhaps OSU can make things a bit better on the hardwood with an upset of No. 20 Purdue on Thursday in Big Ten action. The Nuts should be slight favorites in college basketball betting.

Purdue at Ohio State Lines, Free Pick & TV Info

Our bird awaits. #Purdue pic.twitter.com/sEFEElgk1J

— Purdue Basketball (@BoilerBall) January 4, 2017

When: Thursday, Jan. 5, 7 PM ET Where: Value City Arena, Columbus TV: ESPN Stream: WatchESPN Radio: Purdue / Ohio State Opening NCAA Basketball Lines: OSU favored TBA

Why Bet On Purdue?

The Boilers (12-3) come off a 91-82 overtime home upset loss vs. Minnesota on Sunday. Purdue rallied from a big early deficit, but couldn’t hold a second-half lead. Caleb Swanigan posted his fourth 20-20 performance of the season — his third in the past four games. But the two-time reigning Big Ten Conference Player of the Week was overshadowed by Minnesota’s Nate Mason, whose 31 points, six rebounds and 11 assists helped the Gophers win it. Swanigan finished with 28 points and 22 rebounds, increasing his nation-leading haul of double-doubles to 12. His presence helped Purdue rally from a 13-point deficit in the opening minutes to lead by as much as seven in the second half. He turned a handful of his six offensive rebounds into second-chance baskets, and played more minutes (41) than anyone on either team. Swanigan’s four 20-20 games are the second most for a player nationally since the 1996-97 season (Santa Clara’s John Bryant – 6 in 2008-09). Swanigan’s 22 rebounds are the fifth most in a game by a Purdue player in school history and the most since Bill Jones had 22 on Feb. 24, 1964, vs. Illinois. His rfour 20-rebound games are the second most in school history for a career (Terry Dischinger – 9) and second most in a season (Dischinger – 6; 1962). Swanigan’s 16 defensive rebounds were the most in school history. Purdue saw a league-best nine-game home winning streak in conference end in the loss to Minnesota. It had been 364 days since Purdue lost a league home game (Jan. 2, 2016, vs. Iowa). Purdue is 31-3 in its last 34 home games (Iowa, Villanova, Minnesota). Purdue’s three losses have come by a combined 19 points. Purdue’s 91 points allowed marked the first time it allowed a team to reach its pregame scoring average (Minnesota avg. 76.9 per game). However, Minnesota did only have 73 points in regulation. Purdue has now scored 80 points in five straight games for the first time since Nov. 2013.

Why Bet On Ohio State?

The Buckeyes lost to Illinois 75-70 last time out. Thanks to a 19-2 run by the Illini in the first half, the Buckeyes trailed at halftime, 40-29. That lead turned out to be just enough for Illinois, as Ohio State’s comeback fell short and the Buckeyes dropped their Big Ten opener. Ohio State (10-4) worked its way back to take the lead multiple times, including 64-63 with 3 minutes, 54 seconds to play. However, two late 3s and clutch free throws by senior Illinois guard Tracy Abrams sank the Buckeyes, ending Illinois’ six-game losing streak to Ohio State. The Buckeyes were outrebounded by the Illini, 42-35, while the defense allowed Illinois to shoot 43.3 percent. The Buckeyes were 81.8 percent from the free-throw line. Ohio State held the Fighting Illini to 31.6 percent from the 3-point line on the night. JaQuan Lyle led the Buckeyes as he scored 26 points, dished out three assists and added five rebounds and finished with zero turnovers. It was his ninth double-figure scoring effort of the season. Marc Loving and Kam Williams added 10 points apiece for the Buckeyes. Loving now has eight double-figure scoring efforts on the season. Ohio State has held all 14 opponents to under 50 percent shooting this season. OSU is now 7-3 this season in games in which it scores 70 or more points. Ohio State has the most home wins nationally with a 130-17 (.884) record since the 2009-10 season. Maryland is the next-best Big Ten team at No. 12 with 115-19 record. Going back to the 2008-09 season to the present, the Buckeyes also own the national lead in home victories with 145 wins over 165 games (145-20).

Purdue at Ohio State Free Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes

Take OSU at home in college basketball betting.