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Devin Royal total rebound prop total vs. Michigan State for the Friday January 3 game was coming in at 7.5.
The last time he faced off against the Spartans, Royal finished with 14 points on 6-of-6 shooting and added two steals and two rebounds in the most playing time of his freshman season.
This time, Royal features prominently atop the scouting report amid a breakout sophomore season that was hinted at last season.
He leads the Buckeyes in rebounding (7.5 per game) and is second in scoring (14.8) after averaging 2.4 and 4.7 last season, respectively.
“At times you can just assume (that growth) is going to happen, but there’s a work, there’s a mentality, there’s a maturity required to make that jump,” Buckeyes head coach Jake Diebler said. “He was a little inconsistent with that at times in the summer. We talked about it. He owned that, and then he took off because I think he was honest with himself.”
Diebler is convinced Royal is now changing the page.
“You’re seeing a great deal of benefit from the hard work and mentality he had really starting in August,” the coach said. “He’s a great story about what I want our program to be about. I want guys to come in and grow and get better and he’s certainly done that.”
MSU vs. Ohio State Betting Preview
TOP PERFORMERS: Thornton is averaging 17.4 points and 4.8 assists for the Buckeyes.
Jaden is averaging 13.6 points for the Spartans.
LAST 10 GAMES: Buckeyes: 7-3, averaging 85.1 points, 31.5 rebounds, 14.8 assists, 7.3 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 52.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 71.1 points per game.
Spartans: 9-1, averaging 82.0 points, 38.0 rebounds, 18.3 assists, 5.5 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.8 points.
Ohio State was seeing the most betting action on the spread at greater than 65% at some books. The line has not moved off the -2.5 favoring Ohio State.
What to Know Before You Bet
- Ohio State has beaten Michigan State by double digits in their last three home games with the Buckeyes listed between a -3.5 and -6.5 favorite in those games.
- After missing about a month due to off-the-court issues, Aaron Bradshaw returns to the lineup to provide a boost.
- Ohio State has gone 5-1 Against The Spread with Bradshaw playing.
- The Buckeyes connect on 39.3% of their shots from 3, which ranks No. 13 nationally.
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