Michigan vs. Ohio State prediction, odds, line: 2022 college basketball picks, March 6 bets from proven model

Fierce Big Ten rivals close out their regular seasons Sunday when the 23rd-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes host the Michigan Wolverines at Value City Arena. The Buckeyes (19-9, 12-7) beat Michigan State 80-69 on Friday to halt a two-game skid. The Wolverines (16-13, 10-9) have alternated wins and losses in their past eight, a stretch that includes a 68-57 loss to the Buckeyes on Feb. 12. Michigan has been living on the bubble as the NCAA Tournament nears, and a victory over the Buckeyes would bolster a resume that includes wins against Purdue, Iowa and Michigan State. 

Tip-off is set for 12:30 p.m. ET in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes are a 4.5-point favorite in the latest Michigan vs. Ohio State odds at Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is set at 143.5. Before you make any Ohio State vs. Michigan picks, you need to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s advanced computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated an impressive profit of over $1,700 for $100 players on its top-rated college basketball picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Michigan vs. Ohio State, and just locked in its picks and CBB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several college basketball odds and betting lines for Ohio State vs. Michigan:

• Michigan vs. Ohio State spread: Buckeyes -4.5
• Michigan vs. Ohio State over-under: 143.5 points
• MICH: Michigan is 10-9 ATS on the road the past two seasons.
• OSU: Ohio State is 16-13 ATS at home since the start of last season. 

Why Ohio State can cover

Ohio State is just 15-13 against the spread but has covered in nine of its past 13 games, and it will come in with a little confidence after a big win. The Wolverines are likely to be fatigued, as they are facing their fifth ranked opponent in less than a month. The Buckeyes have the home-court advantage and are 13-2 at Value City Arena this season. Plus, Ohio State has won four of the past five meetings against the Wolverines. 

Star forward E.J. Liddell is OSU’s top scorer, averaging 19.5 points per game. His versatility and ability to draw contact causes a lot of problems for Michigan center Hunter Dickinson. Liddell scored 28 points in last month’s victory over Michigan and was 11-for-11 from the free-throw line. The Buckeyes are fourth in the Big Ten in 3-point shooting (37.2 percent), with Malik Branham hitting 44 percent and averaging 13.1 points. 

Why Michigan can cover

Michigan is 7-5 ATS this season after a loss, and Dickinson has 13 straight games scoring in double figures. He has scored at least 20 in seven of those and he averages 18.4 points and 8.5 rebounds. Dickinson had 14 points and seven boards in the last meeting, and the 7-foot-1 center will get help from Moussa Diabate on defense. The athletic, 6-11 freshman struggled against Liddell in the last meeting but gained valuable experience and has had time to work on a better approach. 

Eli Brooks led the Wolverines with 17 points in last month’s meeting, and he and the team’s other shooters will need to step up. Brooks is averaging 13.1 points and hits 39 percent from 3-point range, while Caleb Houstan (10.9 points) and DeVante’ Jones (10.1) both hit at least a third of their attempts. Jones had eight points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in the last matchup, but Michigan shot 23.5 percent from outside. Michigan is fifth in the Big Ten in shooting percentage (47.4), right behind Ohio State (47.5), so it will come down to who has the hot hand.

How to make Ohio State vs. Michigan picks

SportsLine’s model is leaning over on the total, projecting 145 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50 percent of simulations. You can only see the model’s pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Michigan vs. Ohio State? And which side of the spread hits in well over 50 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its college basketball picks, and find out.