Earning a win and covering the posted spread will be the goals for Northwestern when they take on the Buckeyes on Friday in college hoops betting action.

The Big Ten Tournament battle is part of the annual season-ending league tournament. The Sportsbook gets an automatic berth in the Madness, while all teams are trying to prove they deserve a spot. This matchup is a neutral-site affair being played at Connolly Center.

The Buckeyes sit at 29-2 (15-13 ATS) on the season. By comparison, the Wildcats are currently 18-12 (12-12 ATS). Looking to wager on the totals? Ohio State is 17-11 OU, and Northwestern is 15-9 OU.



View Northwestern vs Ohio State Odds and Stats.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Power Rankings at Odds Shark show No. 229-rated Northwestern taking on the No. 23-rated Buckeyes in this contest. The scores prediction computer here indicates a possible 88-73 win for the Buckeyes on Friday.



How They Match Up:
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and Ohio State has the nation's No. 18-rated offensive output, at 77.9 PPG. The visiting Wildcats defense ranks No. 181 allowing on average 67.9 PPG. The Buckeyes FG% has averaged 50% so far, more than the Wildcats marksmen have achieved on the year, 45.4% per game.

Defensively, Northwestern features the nation's No. 270-rated defense on the road, allowing 74.6 points per game. Ohio State, meanwhile, comes in at No. 22 nationally in scoring at home.

Last time out for Northwestern, they were a 75-65 Sportsbook as they battled Minnesota. They covered in the match as a 1-point favorite.

Ohio State won its last outing, a 93-65 result against Wisconsin on March 6. They covered in that game as an 8-point favorite. Ohio State cruised to victory on Sunday, running Wisconsin out of the gym and running up a 93-65 score at Value City Arena.


Northwestern Wildcats Trends:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
After playing Minnesota are 3-7
After a win are 4-6

Ohio State Buckeyes Trends:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
After playing Wisconsin are 7-3
After a win are 8-2

A few Wildcats at Buckeyes trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Ohio State's last 5 games
Ohio State is 20-1 SU in its last 21 games when playing Northwestern
Ohio State is 23-2 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Ohio State's last 11 games when playing Northwestern