Eastern Illinois vs. Ohio State November 16 Betting Preview

The Ohio State men’s basketball team has to be excited. All the Buckeyes need to do in order to look forward to a trip to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational is score another home non-conference win over Eastern Illinois. The Panthers have gotten off to a difficult 0-3 start and have already taken a 30-point defeat to Illinois. 

The Buckeyes haven’t played any tough competition yet, but also haven’t looked like a team just playing through the motions. Here’s a look at what to expect on Wednesday night.

Buckeyes Prove To Be Rude Guests

Ohio State has been hammering its non-conference opponents on both ends of the floor early in the season. The Buckeyes limited Charleston Southern and Robert Morris to less than 56 points each while scoring more than 80 themselves. Ohio State has been shooting well from the floor, knocking down 53.7% of their shots from the field.

The Buckeyes have been led by forward Zed Key, who is averaging 15 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. 

Brice Sensabaugh and Justice Sueing are also averaging 15.5 points per game. Due to how lopsided the early season games have been, none of Ohio State’s top players have been playing more than 24 minutes per game, but that should stretch out as conference play starts.

Do Panthers Have Any Chance?

Eastern Illinois hasn’t quite figured out the best way to get easy baskets yet this season. Other than Kinyon Hodges, who leads the team in scoring at 12.7 points per game, the rest of the team hasn’t developed their rhythm quite yet. Eastern Illinois has shot especially poorly from the outside, only knocking down 22% of its 3-point attempts.

The Panthers also haven’t shot well when they’ve found their way to the free-throw line, as Eastern Illinois shoots 55.7% from the charity stripe. The Panthers, who compete in the Ohio Valley Conference, will be able to get a breather after this game as they won’t play another Power 5 opponent until a December 21 matchup with Iowa.

Eastern Illinois at Ohio State Odds

The Buckeyes have been set as 31-point favorites. The over/under is set at 132.5 points.

Eastern Illinois at Ohio State Prediction

The Panthers have been going through an offensive identity crisis early in the season. Ohio State isn’t the type of team that won’t capitalize on that. 

Hinton is the only Panthers’ player who has had success on offense thus far this season. That won’t be enough against a balanced Ohio State team.

The Buckeyes should be able to continue their excellent offensive production and get their total above the 80-point mark. Ohio State’s ability to cover the spread will likely be determined by how willing the Buckeyes are to press ahead of their big trip to Hawaii.