College Basketball Picks: Kansas Jayhawks vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes (9-1) have lost five consecutive games to the Kansas Jayhawks (9-1), which is important to consider when making your against-the-spread (ATS) picks on Saturday, as the two storied programs meet up at Value City Arena.

Sports bettors will find that the Buckeyes are 3.5-point home favorites in the current college basketball odds (courtesy of SBR Forum), while a total has yet to be released in the market.

Let's take a closer look at this nonconference affair from a betting perspective, while offering a prediction along the way.

Kansas Jayhawks

The Kansas Jayhawks have compiled an impressive 43-24 record against ranked opponents in the Bill Self era, which makes them dangerous road underdogs Saturday.

Sports bettors still need to be careful, considering they've gone 3-12 ATS in their last 15 games versus Big Ten Conference opponents.

Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes have gone 75-2 at home against nonconference opponents during the Thad Matta era, which includes 39 straight wins in that situation. 

Sports bettors will find that the Buckeyes have failed to cover the spread in their last two games, but they've clearly been looking ahead to this affair.

Prediction

I'm going to recommend that readers back the Ohio State Buckeyes in this high-profile matchup, as the Kansas Jayhawks are a money-burning 1-11-2 ATS as underdogs when facing a revenge-minded foe.

College Basketball Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes -3.5

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