Iowa vs Ohio State Moneyline Prediction & Preview

Iowa’s late-season woes are painfully clear: they've dropped six of their last seven matchups, indicating significant crunch-time difficulties, while Ohio State rides momentum from a five-game winning streak, demonstrating peak form at precisely the right moment. The Hawkeyes will struggle with the notable absence of starting Center, Jordan Alvarez, due to a knee injury. Alvarez’s defensive presence in the paint has historically disrupted Buckeye forward Sam Bennett's scoring, reflected in Bennett averaging merely 9 points and shooting below 35% when Alvarez is on the court. With Alvarez sidelined, Bennett, who typically thrives when given space inside, could significantly elevate Ohio State's offensive efficiency. Additionally, Buckeyes Guard Marcus Everson, renowned for explosive performances against Iowa, averaging 23 points and 7 assists in their last five matchups, should exploit the Hawkeyes’ weakened backcourt. Given the playoff stakes of this late-season duel and Ohio State's timely momentum, going strongly with the Buckeyes at -225 carries both reasonable likelihood of success and decent value for moneyline bettors.

Kris Murray carries a resurging Iowa squad primed to outperform betting expectations, despite a challenging season thus far. While Ohio State enters this contest on a concerning three-game losing streak in conference play, Iowa has demonstrated marked resilience, highlighted by their current two-game winning streak against Big Ten rivals. Key on-court injuries further burden Ohio State, as starting guard Roddy Gayle Jr. remains sidelined, severely inhibiting perimeter scoring and defensive capabilities. Historically, Iowa consistently elevates play against the Buckeyes, capturing three of their last four meetings, which suggests stylistic matchup concerns for Ohio State. Given recent form, injury struggles, and historical matchup dynamics favoring Iowa, confidently backing the Hawkeyes at +5 offers appealing value and reasonable profitability, garnering a solid B+ grade. "Bet on Black and Gold resilience to outpace Buckeye struggles."