The Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan State Spartans meet up in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament tonight. The game is scheduled for an 8:55 p.m. start time and it will be televised live on the Big Ten Network. Currently the College Basketball Betting Odds for the game have the Spartans listed as a small favorite in this one.

Ohio State coach Thad Matta picked up his 400th career win in last night’s win over Minnesota, which also gave him the top overall spot in Ohio State history. The Buckeyes got pushed a couple of times in that one last night by a scrappy Minnesota team, but in the end the talent of Matta’s team proved to be too much.

D’Angelo Russell hit big shots and the Buckeyes got solid games from both Marc Loving and Shannon Scott in last night’s win over the Golden Gophers. The trio combined to score 56 of the team’s 79 points in the victory. 

The Buckeyes and Spartans met just once this season with Denzel Valentine hitting a triple at the end to give Michigan State the win. The Spartans connected for seven of 15 triples in that one and played solid perimeter defense as well as Ohio State made just five of 17 shots from outside the arc. The perimeter game for both teams is important and will play a pivotal roll in this one tonight.

Michigan State’s best threat from out there is Travis Trice, who didn’t start the game against the Buckeyes the first time around and finishing with just nine points. Trice has been unstoppable the last six games for Michigan State, where the Spartans have posted a 4-2 record. 

The senior guard has averaged almost 21 points per game during the six-game stretch and will look to bring the same offensive effort into tonight’s contest. 

If the game comes down to an interior game, Michigan State’s Branden Dawson will battle with Amir Williams. Dawson earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors and was on the All-Defensive Team as well. He’s an animal on the interior and despite being banged up recently is expected to play today. He gives the Spartans an advantage down on the blocks and will be the biggest difference in the game for Michigan State, which advances to play in the semifinals with a win.

Free Pick: Michigan State 68, Ohio State 64

 NCAA Basketball: Who Can Win it All?

Teddy Covers and Steve Fezzik from Pregame.com discuss who they feel will win it all in the NCAA Tournament, while throwing in some teams that have a chance to make a deep run in the tournament.

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