The Ohio State Buckeyes look to start their non-conference slate 2-0 when they take on the Charleston Southern Buccaneers in opening-week college basketball action on Thursday night in Columbus, Ohio. The Buccaneers (1-0), who were just 1-13 on the road a year ago, downed Division II Toccoa Falls 83-52 on Monday. The Buckeyes (1-0) had no trouble defeating Robert Morris 91-53 in their season opener. This will be the first time the schools will have met.
The game from Value City Arena is scheduled to tip off at 6:30 p.m. ET. Ohio State averaged 72.8 points per game, 127th-best in the nation last season, while Charleston Southern averaged 68.5, 250th-best. The Buckeyes are 26.5-point favorites in the latest Ohio State vs. Charleston Southern odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 144. Before locking in any Charleston Southern vs. Ohio State picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. Over the past six years, the proprietary computer model has generated an impressive profit of more than $1,200 for $100 players on its top-rated college basketball picks against the spread.
Now, the model has set its sights on Ohio State vs. Charleston Southern, and just locked in its picks and CBB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the college basketball odds and betting lines for Charleston Southern vs. Ohio State:
- Ohio State vs. Charleston Southern spread: Ohio State -26.5
- Ohio State vs. Charleston Southern over/under: 144 points
- CSO: The Buccaneers are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games against a team with a winning straight-up record
- OSU: The Buckeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600
- Ohio State vs. Charleston Southern picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Ohio State can cover
Among those looking to make an impact for Ohio State is graduate transfer and guard Tanner Holden. He didn’t miss a shot in his Buckeyes’ debut, scoring 12 points and grabbing three rebounds in 18 minutes of action. Holden, who played in 92 games at Wright State, averaged 16.1 points and seven rebounds per game. He is just seven points shy of 1,500 career points. He was a two-time first team All-Horizon League player.
Junior forward Zed Key also was impressive in the opener, registering a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in 21 minutes of action. He is the Buckeyes’ leading returning scorer and rebounder, and has been named a team captain. Last season, Key averaged 7.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He has led the team in shooting percentage in each of the last two years.
Why Charleston Southern can cover
Sophomore Claudell Harris Jr. had the hot hand for the Buccaneers in the opener. He came off the bench to score 26 points on 7 of 16 shooting, while grabbing five rebounds. He played 28 minutes and was 9 of 11 from the free throw line. Harris played in 31 games a year ago, including 14 starts, averaging 28 minutes, 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and two assists per game. He also connected on 32.8% of his 3-pointers.
Also helping power the offense in the opening-night win was sophomore forward Taje’ Kelly. Kelly finished with 12 points on 6 of 12 shooting, and grabbed nine rebounds and two assists. He played in 31 games in 2021-22, making eight starts. He averaged 20.8 minutes, 9.2 points, four rebounds and one-half block and one-half steal per game.
How to make Ohio State vs. Charleston Southern picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 142 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits well over 60% of the time. You can only get the model’s pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Charleston Southern vs. Ohio State? And which side of the spread hits well over 60% percent of the time? Visit SportsLine to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is up over $1,200 on its college basketball picks the last six years, and find out.
