Ohio St. Buckeyes vs
Illinois Fighting IlliniPredictions & Preview

Illinois Favored Over Ohio State in Big 10 Showdown: Can Fighting Illini Secure Home Win?

In an upcoming Big 10 showdown, the Ohio State Buckeyes (13-8) will face off against the Illinois Fighting Illini (14-7). The Buckeyes are coming off a strong road win against Penn State, while the Fighting Illini suffered a loss to Nebraska. With Illinois having won both matchups against Ohio State last season, they enter as the betting favorite, opening at -7 and currently at -6.5. Can Illinois rebound from their recent loss and secure a home win? Read on for our prediction and explore our NCAAB Picks for more insights to help you make winning bets.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Buckeyes +208 | Fighting Illini -260
• Spread: Buckeyes +6.5 (-110) | Fighting Illini -6.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 156 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Illinois will win straight-up is 72%.

Ohio St. vs Illinois Stats

Ohio St. Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes are aiming for their fifth conference win of the season after a successful run of three consecutive victories. Despite some narrow losses earlier in conference play, they have shown resilience and are currently 5-5 in conference play. Key players such as Bruce Thornton and Micah Parrish have been performing well on offense, while the team's defense has also played a crucial role in their recent wins. The Buckeyes are ranked 24th in DI and could potentially enter the AP Top 25 with another win. Their offensive and defensive statistics show a solid performance overall, with strong shooting percentages and rebounding numbers. Overall, the Buckeyes have demonstrated their potential for success in conference play and continue to improve as the season progresses.

Illinois Fighting Illini Analysis

The Illinois Fighting Illini are currently ranked fourth in the conference standings with a 6-5 record. Despite some recent defensive issues and losses against Michigan State and Maryland, the team rebounded with a win against Northwestern before suffering an overtime defeat against Nebraska. Freshman guard Kasparov Jakucionis and sophomore center Tomislav Ivisic have been standouts for the Illini, with Jakucionis averaging 16 PPG and 5.8 RPG, and Ivisic averaging 13 PPG and 8.5 RPG. The team has a strong scoring depth with players like Tre White and Will Riley contributing to their offensive capabilities. The Fighting Illini are ranked 18th in the country in Ken Pomeroy's ratings and are currently averaging 85.2 points per game. On defense, they have struggled recently, but are keeping opponents to an average of 70 points, ranking 128th in the nation. Overall, the Fighting Illini have a power ranking of 80 and are ranked #6 for offense.

Illinois Dominates Big 10 Play, Outperforming Inconsistent Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes have experienced inconsistencies in their performance during Big 10 play, having achieved a 4-4 record in their past eight conference games, with a 2-2 record on the road. In comparison, Illinois has demonstrated a strong home record of 9-3 and has shown prowess in both offense and defense. Illinois outperforms Ohio State by averaging 0.8 more points per 100 possessions and excels defensively, limiting opponents to 93.6 points per 100 possessions compared to Ohio State's 95.8 points per 100 possessions. Additionally, Illinois boasts a significant rebounding advantage with a +12 margin. Notably, Illinois has convincingly defeated opponents such as Arkansas, Oregon, Penn State, and Indiana by margins of 25 points or more, showcasing their dominance when performing at their best.

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