While this rivalry might not be as heated as in football, Michigan and Ohio State will do battle on Sunday in a game with pretty important ramifications in the Big Ten. While the Buckeyes are fighting to make up ground in the conference, the Wolverines currently sit atop the league with their 11-2 mark in Big Ten play. Can Ohio State pull this one out on their home court over a hot Michigan squad?
How to watch Michigan vs. Ohio State
- Date: Sunday, February 16
· Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
· Venue: Schottenstein Center
· How to Watch (TV): CBS
· Streaming: fubo TV (link: )
· Michigan record: 19-5 (11-2)
· Ohio State record: 15-10 (7-7)
Michigan vs. Ohio State odds, spread and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Spread
· Michigan +1.5 (EVEN)
· Ohio State -1.5 (-120)
Total
· 149.5 (over -105/under -115)
Michigan injury report
· None
Ohio State injury report
· Austin Parks, C: Questionable (undisclosed)
· Meechie Johnson, G: Out
· Devin Royal, F: Questionable (knee)
Michigan and Ohio State series history
· Michigan all-time record vs. Ohio State: 83-108
Michigan vs. Ohio State prediction
The Wolverines lean heavily on 7-foot frontcourt menaces Vladislav Goldin, the Florida Atlantic transfer, and Danny Wolf, the Yale transfer averaging a double-double so far this season. This new-look Michigan lineup is full of experience and ranks Top 10 in the nation in interior field goal percentage. While those two are a menace, starting guard Tre Donaldson can also knock down outside shots, though this offense certainly doesn’t depend on that.
On the contrary, Ohio State has done some great work from long-range, ranking among the Top 20 teams in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage. Guards Bruce Thornton and John Mobley Jr. are excellent shooters, both making at least 42% of their 3’s while leading this efficient offense. The production has been less explosive around the rim, though the Buckeyes really hope there are no lingering issues with Devin Royal’s knee, especially with their younger forwards not really producing.
Michigan has made a business this season in winning tough Big Ten games on the road, with wins at Wisconsin, UCLA, and Indiana among others under their belt. There’s raw talent on the Buckeyes frontcourt, but Goldin and Wolf can easily take over games against smaller or weaker defenses. To hold serve on their home floor, Ohio State will need to hit those outside shots, much like they did in their upset at Purdue a few weeks ago.
If the home rims are friendly we can definitely see the Buckeyes getting another much needed win for their resume, especially important since they’re just 7-7 in Big Ten play. However, with the way Michigan has been playing in recent weeks, we’re riding with the Wolverines to pull off another one on the road, though this should be a close battle. It’s just hard to bet against Michigan with how Goldin and Wolf are playing right now.
Prediction: Michigan 77, Ohio State 74