#18 Michigan State vs Ohio State: Odds, Predictions & Key Insights | January 3, 2025

Tonight’s Big Ten clash between No. 18 Michigan State and Ohio State promises high stakes and electrifying basketball. Both teams have endured grueling schedules and are riding the momentum of recent dominant victories. With Ohio State’s home-court advantage and Michigan State’s scrappy resilience, this matchup could deliver plenty of drama.

Write Up Transparency

Be sure to follow me on X/Twitter @C_marchio2 to get my full card every day! Check my Action profile on the Action app @cmarchio. Picks are always FREE.

Last Month in CBB: 35-30 (+0.56 Units)

Last Week in CBB: 5-9 (-5.89 Units)

#18 Michigan State vs Ohio State Odds

Will Ohio State be able to handle No. 18 Michigan State?

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, a longtime fixture among the top online sports betting sites. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then bag a big bonus (100% if your first deposit is with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or another cryptocurrency) to bet on College Basketball games.

Spread

Michigan State: +2.5 (-105)

Ohio State: -2.5 (115)

Total

Over: 148.5 (-110)

Under: 148.5 (-110)

Moneyline

Michigan State: +130

Ohio State: -150

#18 Michigan State vs Ohio State Predictions

The Big Ten matchup of the evening between No. 18 Michigan State and Ohio State is one worth canceling plans for or heading out with friends to watch. The 9-4 Buckeyes are coming off a dominant 103-83 win over Indiana State, while the 11-2 Spartans recently secured an 18-point victory over Western Michigan as 27.5-point favorites. Both teams have faced tough schedules so far. According to Haslametrics, both rank in the top 70 for strength of schedule, with Ohio State at 42nd and Michigan State at 67th.

Ohio State has established a massive home-court advantage this season. Haslametrics ranks the Buckeyes as the sixth-best team at home. They boast a 7-1 record both straight up and against the spread. At home, Ohio State is a force—top 25 in offense and top 55 in defense. They excel in nearly every area, particularly in two- and three-point shooting percentages, where they rank in the top 25 nationally. Defensively, they are 79th in block percentage and top 75 in both two- and three-point defense.

Michigan State, on the other hand, struggles from beyond the arc, ranking 39th worst in the nation. The Spartans do not rely heavily on three-point shooting, but if forced into a shootout, they will likely struggle to keep pace with Ohio State’s lethal offense.

The teams differ in tempo, with Ohio State favoring a slower pace, nearly 100 spots below Michigan State in pace rankings according to Haslametrics. However, Ohio State tends to speed up the pace at home, ranking 140th in tempo in those games. This matchup should see plenty of points, with Ohio State likely dictating the tempo. The Buckeyes will aim to lock down the perimeter and avoid sending the Spartans to the free-throw line, an area of weakness for Ohio State, as they rank 289th in opponent free-throw rate.

Ultimately, this is an excellent spot for Ohio State to shine against a strong Michigan State team. The Buckeyes have been tested enough this season to know what to expect, and they should excel at home tonight.