The Michigan State Spartans welcome in the Ohio State Buckeyes in Big Ten College Basketball action today. The game is scheduled for a noon start time and it will be televised nationally on ESPN. Currently the College Basketball Betting Odds for the game have the Spartans listed as a small favorite in this one.

Michigan State has been inconsistent all season, already posting eight losses this year. Today they welcome in an Ohio State team that has picked up five of the last six games overall. That lone loss came to Purdue, on the road, in a game where the Buckeyes shot the basketball well, didn't turn it over much (12 times) and got a big game from D'Angelo Russell. Purdue was just better that day.

The Buckeyes responded by blowing out Rutgers and Penn State. Today is the first game on the road of two straight for Ohio State as they travel to take on Michigan next week as well. Beating Michigan State won't be easy inside the Breslin Center, most notably because Ohio State is just 3-4 on the road this season.

Michigan State has three losses at home, but they do need some solid wins to cement themselves into the NCAA Tournament. Winning this game today would qualify for that as the Buckeyes are ranked 23rd nationally. The Spartans are 0-4 against Top 25 teams this season. The Spartans' top priority should be to stop Russell, who is averaging better than 22 points per game since the turn of the calendar. He's also one of just two players in the country averaging at least 19 points, five rebounds and five assists per game, joining AJ English of Iona. Russell really is the best player for Ohio State and slowing him down will give Michigan State a very good chance.

The Spartans are often a good defensive team and they are very good at rebounding. Ohio State can score and is pretty solid on the glass as well, but that could be the difference today.

Russell will get the best from Denzel Valentine and Travis Trice on the defensive end. Branden Dawson could be a major factor as well, providing a great option for the Spartans on both ends of the floor. It'll come down to rebounding and second chance opportunities, where the Spartans will excel.

Free Pick: Michigan State 67, Ohio State 63

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