With four sophomores in the starting lineup – led by rapidly improving guards Bruce Thornton and Roddy Gayle – Ohio State has a legitimate chance to be one of the nation's best surprises as January unfolds. We'll know a lot more Saturday when Ohio State hits the road to face the Indiana Hoosiers. Ready to back the Buckeyes against their biggest Big Ten rival? Then sign up with the ESPN BET Ohio promo code SBWIRE because'you'll receive $150 in bonus bets once you place your first bet, such as a $10 wager on college basketball, the NFL or any other sport.
Head coach Chris Holtmann recruited the heart of this year's team two years ago when Thornton, Gayle, Felix Okpara and Brice Sensabaugh comprised one of the nation's top 10 classes. Sensabaugh left for the NBA after one year, but the others have filled his shoes nicely. Plus, Minnesota grad transfer Jamison Battle has regained his pure 3-point stroke to provide another weapon.
Full Ohio State odds for college basketball can be viewed after you complete your ESPN BET account creation,
If you'd rather get closer to March Madness before starting to wager on college basketball, then how about focusing on the College Football Playoff's national championship game on Monday? We're guessing you have strong feelings about Michigan – and the Wolverines are 5-point favorites against a Washington squad that ignored its underdog status to knock off Oregon and Texas in its last two games.