kyle-filipowski-usatsi-duke.jpg
USATSI

It's a Big Ten matchup on Thursday night when the No. 25 Ohio State Buckeyes open conference play against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The Buckeyes are 6-2 overall and had an easy win in their last game, dominating St. Francis (PA) 96-59. The Scarlet Knights have a 6-2 record and started off conference play with a bang. In their last game, Rutgers upset No. 14 Indiana 63-48.

Tip-off at Value City Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET. The Buckeyes are 6.5-point favorites in the latest Rutgers vs. Ohio State odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 136.5. Before finalizing any Ohio State vs. Rutgers picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's Matt Severance.

Severance is a well-connected writer and handicapper who has worked in the industry since 2005. Over the past two college basketball seasons, Matt is 391-286 on his college basketball picks, returning $2,714. He has been on a roll during the early stages of the 2022-23 campaign, going 37-19-1 in his last 57 college basketball picks. Anyone who has followed him is way up.

Now, he has set his sights on Ohio State vs. Rutgers and just locked in his picks and CBB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Now, here are several college basketball odds and betting lines and trends for Rutgers vs. Ohio State:

  • Ohio State vs. Rutgers spread: Buckeyes -6.5
  • Ohio State vs. Rutgers over/under: 136.5 points
  • RUTG: Over is 4-1 in Scarlet Knight's last five vs. a team with a winning straight-up record
  • OSU: Home team is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings
  • Ohio State vs. Rutgers picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why Ohio State can cover

Senior forward Justice Sueing is an athletic wing that can score in a variety of ways. Sueing owns a smooth jumper from mid-range while displaying great body control when driving down the lane. The Hawaii native likes to play downhill and be aggressive with the ball. Sueing averages 13.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. On Nov. 23, he dropped a season-high 33 points, eight boards and five dimes.

Junior Zed Key has been a strong and powerful forward in the frontcourt. Key is a very good low-post scorer and can make plays above the rim. The New York native sets great screens to either cut to the basket or create space for the ball handler to operate. Key is putting up 13.4 points and eight rebounds per contest. On Nov. 30, he racked up a season-best 21 points with eight rebounds.

Why Rutgers can cover

Junior center Clifford Omoruyi is an athletic force with elite tools. Omoruyi has been a stout rim defender and shot-blocker with great awareness down low. The Nigeria native runs the floor hard and owns a nice touch around the basket. Omoruyi rolls into this game ranked third in the Big Ten in rebounds (9.8) and seventh in points (15.4). He's logged three double-doubles thus far.

Senior guard Cam Spencer is a knockdown shooter from the perimeter. Spencer can create his own shot but excels in catch-and-shoot situations. The Maryland native is making 42% of his 3-point shots and averages 13.8 points per game. He's recorded 15-plus points in six of the first eight games. On Nov. 26, Spencer finished with 18 points, five assists, and went 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. 

How to make Rutgers vs. Ohio State picks

Severance is leaning Under on the total. He's also found a critical x-factor he believes makes one side of the spread a must back. You can see the picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Rutgers vs. Ohio State? And which side of the spread should you be all over? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the expert who has crushed his college basketball picks, and find out.