Iowa Hawkeyes at Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview

It’s another Top 10 matchup in the Big Ten Conference on Sunday as the Ohio State Buckeyes host the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Ohio State Buckeyes earned an 89-85 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes earlier this season, and the rematch should be tremendous.

Iowa comes into this game with an overall record of 17-7, and they have gone 11-6 in Big Ten Conference action. The Hawkeyes had their four-game winning streak snapped earlier this week in a loss to the Michigan Wolverines.

Ohio State has now lost two straight games, but they were on a roll up to that point. The Buckeyes are 12-6 in Big Ten Conference games, and they could be a top seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are four-point favorites over the Iowa Hawkeyes in this Big Ten Conference showdown. 

Hawkeyes Don’t Defend

The Iowa Hawkeyes have really struggled on the defensive end of the floor this season, and that could be a problem in this game. Iowa has allowed 73 points per game, and they look very disinterested at times when playing defense.

Center Luka Garza leads the way for the Hawkeyes, averaging more than 24 points per game while scoring in a variety of ways. Garza is nearly impossible to stop in the paint, but the Buckeyes have some size to throw at him.

Iowa is also an elite three-point shooting team, and they will have to shoot it well in this game. Joe Wieskamp and Jordan Bohannon will need to combine for at least 25 points for the Hawkeyes to have a chance. 

Buckeyes Are Deep

The Ohio State Buckeyes don’t have a true star like the Iowa Hawkeyes, but this is a very deep team. Ohio State is averaging 78 points per game while allowing less than 70 points per game on the defensive end of the floor. 

Forward E.J. Liddell leads the team with 16.0 points per game, and he has really stepped up over the last ten games. Duane Washington Jr. has chipped in with 15.6 points per game, and his three-point shooting will be needed.

Ohio State will find ways to score against Iowa, but slowing down the Hawkeyes is easier said than done. 

Iowa Stuns Ohio State

The Big Ten Conference is so loaded this season, and that has led to some interesting results each game. Both Iowa and Ohio State are evenly matched, but playing at home gives the Ohio State Buckeyes a slight edge.

Iowa has really struggled of late, but this is still a team that can score points in a hurry. Luka Garza is the best player in college basketball, and he is not going to let his team lose another game.

Ohio State will keep this game close, but they just won’t be able to score enough points to win this Big Ten Conference game at home. Take the Iowa Hawkeyes money line as they upset the Ohio State Buckeyes.

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