Dave Price
1 Unit on Memphis Grizzlies +3
Denver has been vulnerable on the road this season as it stands at just 16-16 SU with a below .500 ATS record. In fact, Denver is 0-7 ATS as a road favorite of 3 points or less this season, losing these games by an average score of 94 to 100.7. Denver is also just 2-10 ATS as a road favorite of 6 points or less this season, losing these games by an average score of 101.5 to 103.6. The back-to-back situation should favor Memphis as well. The Nuggets are 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 0 days rest while the Grizzlies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 0 days rest. Take Memphis.
Derek Mancini
Illinois vs Ohio State (-7) at Indianapolis, IN
Illini got the upset win over Wisconsin in their Big Ten Tourney opener, but this is a completely different match up. Wisconsin plays a similar style to the Illini -more defensive-oriented - and that helped them tremendously. Illini's strengths become their weaknesses today.
We saw a blueprint on how to beat this Illinois team in their last meeting... Push the pace, attack the basket, and take smart shots. Ohio State forced only 9 turnovers in that game, but still managed to win by 16 points! Illinois just couldn't keep pace, and unlike Wisconsin, the Buckeyes play on both ends of the court.
Think about it like this, despite shooting 52% yesterday (holding Wisconsin to 28% shooting), the Illini only won by 4 points! That may have worked against Wisconsin, but it won't work today. That's what this game comes down, style of play and match ups. Illini got lucky and faced a Badgers team they matched up well against. Buckeyes got the short end of the stick, playing a Michigan team with nothing to lose and enough athleticism to keep pace.
Lay the points, as Evan Turner and the Buckeyes stick a fork in the Illini's tourney hopes this afternoon. Both teams play defense, but only one has the firepower to pull away, and that's Ohio State.
1♦ OHIO STATE
Detroit at ATLANTA (-12)
Don't be fooled by Detroit's win and cover over Washington yesterday, because the Pistons have proven to be a very different team on the road. Pistons have lost 5 straight away (2-3 ATS), including ugly losses at the Clippers, Warriors, and Knicks!
Atlanta returns home off a disappointing road trip (1-2 SU, 0-3 ATS), and will be looking to bounce back hard tonight. No better place than at home, where we've seen them play their best basketball by far, going 19-13 ATS there this season! The key is their offense at home (105 ppg, 47% shooting), where the Pistons will have a tough time keeping pace (93 ppg away).
With Crawford playing as well as he is, this Atlanta team is as dangerous as ever (Detroit's bench is a non-factor). They're struggling ATS of late (part of the reason we're seeing balanced action here by the public), but getting back to Philips Arena, where they're an elite team, is just what they need to get back on track. Few teams are as bad without rest as Detroit (4-13 ATS), and that won't change tonight. Lay the points with Atlanta, as they roll Saturday!
2♦ ATLANTA
Craig Trapp
Illinois vs. Ohio State
Play: Illinois +7
Too many points here for a team that has to win this game. Also OSU is not going to gain much even by winning the Big Ten tourney. Turner is the key for OSU and we are going to need huge effort by ILL to stop him. McCamey for ILL can dominate a game by both scoring and his playmaking. He will carry ILL to an upset or a near upset but either way covering the number.
BIG AL
Richmond @ Xavier
PICK: Xavier
No other conference tournament in the country has gone as much to the Favorites, as the Atlantic 10 Tournament. This year, the "chalk" is a modest 4-3, but dating back 20 seasons, the Atlantic 10 Tourney has seen favorites go 99-37 ATS when laying less than 13 points if their opponent is not off a win by more than 13 points. This afternoon, Xavier is favored over Richmond, who won its last game by just five points, so let's lay the small number with the Musketeers on Saturday.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Nuggets/Grizzlies UNDER 214
Denver isn't nearly the same offensive juggernaut on the road that it is at home. In fact, the Nuggets are averaging just 102.6 ppg on the road, 5 points below their season average. And Memphis is only scoring 100.7 ppg at home. With this in mind, I'd say we're getting some pretty good value with the Under with this line. The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Memphis and 7-2 in the last 9 meetings overall. The Under is also 4-0 in the Nuggets' last 4 road games and 20-6 in the Grizzlies' last 26 games as a home underdog of 4.5 or fewer points. We'll take the Under.
SPORTS WAGERS
Edmonton +1.86 over TORONTO
There are certain teams that should never be favored by this much and the Maple Leafs sure qualify. They’ve been playing decent hockey and must be given credit for wins over the Bruins, Ottawa and Tampa Bay. However, all wins came in OT and the Leafs continue to fall behind early. That’s a dangerous game to play and it’s for that reason along with its poor record that makes the Maple Leafs about as untrustworthy as a big favorite as any team in the league. The Oilers are coming off a good performance in Montreal in which they lost 5-4 in OT. They fell behind three times in that game and tied it up each time. They’ve now picked up points in three of its last four games and that includes a 2-0 win over the Devils. Playing in Toronto on a Saturday night on Hockey Night in Canada is also motivating and at this price the Oilers are definitely worth a look against the team with the lowest point total in the East. Play Edmonton +1.86 (Risking 2 units).
Phoenix +1.02 over CAROLINA
What a turnaround for these Canes. They continue to play hard, they’re still very warm and they’re showing no signs of cooling off. The Canes have 13 wins over its last 17 games and they also have just two losses over its last 11 games and that includes a win over Chicago and a win over Pittsburgh in its last. That was a big win because they were down 2-0 early, came back and eventually won it in OT. They celebrated like they knocked the Penguins out of the playoffs. Now they’ll face the Coyotes in a letdown spot after that big win and play a team they rarely see. The Coyotes have played in Carolina twice over the past five years. Furthermore, the Coyotes are wickedly good and the Canes are in for a completely different style of play than they’re used to seeing. The Coyotes are so tough to beat. They play as disciplined and gritty as anyone. They get great goaltending and it’s also worth noting that they made the best moves at the deadline than any team in the business. So, in a letdown spot against this guest, the Canes chances are not good. The Coyotes plus a tag against this squad is a must play. Play: Phoenix +1.02 (Risking 2 units).
DUNKEL INDEX
Toronto at Golden State
The Raptors look to build on their 12-4 ATS record in their last 16 games as a favorite between 1 and 4 1/2 points. Toronto is the pick (-1 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Raptors favored by 3. Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-1 1/2)
Game 501-502: Orlando at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 124.857; Washington 116.013
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 9; 194
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 12; 195
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+12); Under
Game 503-504: Detroit at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 113.149; Atlanta 122.928
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 10; 196
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 12; 198 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+12); Under
Game 505-506: Denver at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 123.591; Memphis 120.567
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 3; 218
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 2 1/2; 213 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-2 1/2); Over
Game 507-508: LA Clippers at San Antonio
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 109.142; San Antonio 124.686
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 15 1/2; 189
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 13; 196
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-13); Under
Game 509-510: New Jersey at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 114.421; Houston 119.687
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 5 1/2; 197
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 10; 200
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (+10); Under
Game 511-512: New York at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: New York 111.319; Dallas 125.108
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 14; 213
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 11; 210
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-11); Over
Game 513-514: Toronto at Golden State
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 116.201; Golden State 113.404
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 3; 230
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 1 1/2; 227 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-1 1/2); Over
NCAAB
Rhode Island vs. Temple
The Owls look to build on their 7-0 ATS record in their last 7 games as a neutral site favorite. Temple is the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Owls favored by 8. Dunkel Pick: Temple (-3 1/2)
Game 515-516: Houston vs. UTEP
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 60.189; UTEP 66.385
Dunkel Line: UTEP by 6
Vegas Line: UTEP by 7
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+7)
Game 517-518: Tennessee vs. Kentucky
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee 67.297; Kentucky 72.832
Dunkel Line: Kentucky by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Kentucky by 4
Dunkel Pick: Kentucky (-4)
Game 519-520: Vanderbilt vs. Mississippi State
Dunkel Ratings: Vanderbilt 69.695; Mississippi State 62.962
Dunkel Line: Vanderbilt by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Vanderbilt by 1
Dunkel Pick: Vanderbilt (-1)
Game 521-522: Rhode Island vs. Temple
Dunkel Ratings: Rhode Island 59.076; Temple 66.969
Dunkel Line: Temple by 8
Vegas Line: Temple by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Temple (-3 1/2)
Game 523-524: Richmond vs. Xavier
Dunkel Ratings: Richmond 64.528; Xavier 69.314
Dunkel Line: Xavier by 5
Vegas Line: Xavier by 4
Dunkel Pick: Xavier (-4)
Game 525-526: Miami (FL) vs. Duke
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (FL) 67.962; Duke 77.439
Dunkel Line: Duke by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Duke by 11
Dunkel Pick: Miami (FL) (+11)
Game 527-528: NC State vs. Georgia Tech
Dunkel Ratings: NC State 68.270; Georgia Tech 66.647
Dunkel Line: NC State by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Georgia Tech by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NC State (+3 1/2)
Game 529-530: Illinois vs. Ohio State
Dunkel Ratings: Illinois 66.063; Ohio State 75.213
Dunkel Line: Ohio State by 9
Vegas Line: Ohio State by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ohio State (-7 1/2)
Game 531-532: Minnesota vs. Purdue
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 70.802; Purdue 70.788
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Purdue by 3
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+3)
Game 533-534: Kansas State vs. Kansas
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas State 69.866; Kansas 79.223
Dunkel Line: Kansas by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas (-5 1/2)
Game 535-536: Washington vs. California
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 71.491; California 70.564
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1
Vegas Line: California by 2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+2)
Game 537-538: Ohio vs. Akron
Dunkel Ratings: Ohio 61.589; Akron 55.824
Dunkel Line: Ohio by 6
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Ohio
Game 539-540: San Diego State vs. UNLV
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego State 65.888; UNLV 73.074
Dunkel Line: UNLV by 7
Vegas Line: UNLV by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UNLV (-4 1/2)
Game 541-542: Long Beach State vs. UC-Santa Barbara
Dunkel Ratings: Long Beach State 54.945; UC-Santa Barbara 52.751
Dunkel Line: Long Beach State by 2
Vegas Line: Long Beach State by 1
Dunkel Pick: Long Beach State (-1)
Game 543-544: Georgetown vs. West Virginia
Dunkel Ratings: Georgetown 68.675; West Virginia 71.521
Dunkel Line: West Virginia by 3
Vegas Line: West Virginia by 2
Dunkel Pick: West Virginia (-2)
Game 545-546: New Mexico State vs. Utah State
Dunkel Ratings: New Mexico State 59.581; Utah State 69.125
Dunkel Line: Utah State by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Utah State by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Utah State (-8 1/2)
Game 547-548: Boston U at Vermont
Dunkel Ratings: Boston U 59.259; Vermont 58.158
Dunkel Line: Boston U by 1
Vegas Line: Vermont by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston U (+5 1/2)
Game 549-550: South Carolina State vs. Morgan State
Dunkel Ratings: South Carolina State 43.537; Morgan State 50.314
Dunkel Line: Morgan State by 7
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Morgan State
Game 551-552: Stephen F. Austin vs. Sam Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Stephen F. Austin 52.207; Sam Houston 60.854
Dunkel Line: Sam Houston by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Sam Houston by 2
Dunkel Pick: Sam Houston (-2)
Game 553-554: Texas Southern vs. AR-Pine Bluff
Dunkel Ratings: Texas Southern 41.709; AR-Pine Bluff 43.140
Dunkel Line: AR-Pine Bluff by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: AR-Pine Bluff
NHL
Chicago at Philadelphia
The Flyers look to bounce back from a 5-1 loss to Boston and build on their 10-4 record in their last 14 games following a home loss by 3 or more goals. Philadelphia is the pick (+100) according to Dunkel, which has the Flyers favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+100)
Game 51-52: Chicago at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 11.865; Philadelphia 12.159
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+100); Over
Game 53-54: Florida at San Jose
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 11.494; San Jose 12.320
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-290); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-290); Over
Game 55-56: Buffalo at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 12.051; Detroit 11.973
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-175); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (+155); Under
Game 57-58: New Jersey at NY Islanders
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 11.555; NY Islanders 10.662
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (-150); Under
Game 59-60: Boston at Montreal
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 11.860; Montreal 13.072
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-125); 5
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-125); Over
Game 61-62: St. Louis at Columbus
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 11.956; Columbus 11.264
Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: St. Louis (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-130); Under
Game 63-64: Edmonton at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 10.317; Toronto 12.026
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto (-205); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-205); Under
Game 65-66: Phoenix at Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 12.362; Carolina 11.859
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Carolina (-115); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-105); Over
Game 67-68: Ottawa at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Ottawa 12.196; Vancouver 11.988
Dunkel Line & Total: Ottawa by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-175); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (+155); Over
Bryan Leonard
Minnesota & Purdue
The Golden Gophers likely need a victory here to secure a Big Dance invite. At least to be on the bubble. To be sure they may need to win the conference tournament. Purdue is already in the Big Dance regardless of the outcome today. But keep in mind this is not the same caliber team without Robbie Hummel. His absence severely lessons the strength of this Purdue squad. With a healthy Hummel the Boilermakers are the class of the league. Without him they are a middle of the pack Big 10 entrant. All the motivation is with the Golden Gophers in this one and their confidence level is high. We'll back the underdog with more on the line.
PLAY MINNESOTA
Stan Lisowski
ORLANDO
Magic have double revenge against a Washington club now playing for the 3rd straight night. On the season the Wizards are 5-9 playing back-to-back while the Magic has covered 77% of the time with rest vs. a club who played the previous day.
Tom Freese
Toronto at Golden St
Toronto is led in scoring by Chris Bosh and his 24.1 points and 11.2 rebounds a game. Center Andrea Bargnani scores 17.3 points a game Forward Hedo Turkoglu scores 12.2 points a game. Point guard Jarrett Jack scores 11.4 points a game. Guard Jose Calderon scores 10.8 points a game. The Raptors score 104 points a game and they allow 105.6 points a game. Toronto is 1-8 ATS their last 9 games are 16-35 ATS off a straight up loss. Golden St is led in scoring by guard Monta Ellis and his 25.5 points a game. Forward Corey Maggette scores 20.2 points a game. Guard Stephen Curry scores 16 points a game. Golden St scores 107.2 points a game. The Warriors are 44-18-2 ATS their last 64 games as home dogs and they are 5-0 ATS their last 5 home games vs. the Raptors. PLAY ON GOLDEN ST +
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on West Virginia -2.5
Georgetown has looked unstoppable thus far in the Big East Tournament while WVU has just squeaked by. However, this will be Georgetown's 4th game in as many days so the Mountaineers should have the big edge in terms of fresh legs. While I won't doubt that the heart will be there, I just don't think the Hoyas will have enough left down the stretch to get the job done. WVU is very sound defensively, and that's a big reason why it has won its last two games against Georgetown by 17 and 13 points respectively while holding the Hoyas to an average of just 63 points in those games. Plus, the Mountaineers want this one every bit as bad as the Hoyas. Just ask star forward Da'Sean Butler. "It's tremendous, I've been here a number of times. We've been to the semifinals pretty much every year but my freshman year," Butler said. "... We can't blow this opportunity. I'm looking forward to this game tomorrow really bad. West Virginia is yet to play its best ball in this tournament and yet it has continued to advance. I expect the Mountaineers to save their best game for last against a tired Georgetown team. Lay the small number.
LEE KOSTROSKI
Ohio State (-) vs. Illinois, Saturday
Talk about a fantastic situation to play on the top team in the Big Ten. First of all, OSU struggled on Friday to put away Michigan and that was actually to be expected. The Bucks had a long 10 day layoff playing their final game of the regular season on March 2nd. In a weird quirk, OSU had one of their byes to close out the season. Thus, while the rest of the conference continued to play through March 7th, OSU had a long layoff. Secondly, yesterday's game was HUGE for Illinois. They have been told by everyone all week that they had to win that game to get back into the Big Dance this season. It was also a "quick revenge" spot for the Illini after getting whipped at home by Wisconsin on Sunday. All of that led to a frenzied effort by IU yesterday to make sure they moved onto the NCAA tournament. They reached their goal and we actually expect a letdown here.
The Illini beat Wisconsin yesterday 58-54 but it was far from impressive. The Badgers played horribly. It was their worst shooting performance in years. At one point in the second half, UW's senior guards Jason Bohannon and Trevon Hughes were a combined 1 for 20 from the field! Late in the second half, Wisconsin had only made 21% of their shots. Yet even with all that, the Badgers Bohannon launched an open 3-point attempt with just over 10 seconds remaining that would have TIED THE GAME! For Illinois not to run away with this game with how poorly Wisconsin played tells us IU is in trouble here. OSU was rusty yesterday and got their "scare" from Michigan. All American Evan Turner had to hit a 3-point bomb at the buzzer to help OSU advance. Don't expect a repeat today as the Buckeyes will be on their game in this one.
These two met twice this year with Ohio State winning handily in both. The Buckeyes are simply a bad match up for the Illini and both games this year proved that. OSU won by 19 points in Champaign and then kept the momentum rolling with a 16 point win at home. In those two games combined, the Buckeyes shot 48.5% while the Illini couldn't penetrate zone defense hitting only 36% of their attempts. The Illini rely way too much on their perimeter game and have almost no post up game to speak of. They got by with that yesterday simply because the Badgers couldn't throw it in the ocean. It will be a different story on Saturday.
Ohio State is still fighting for a potential #1 seed. The Illini put all of their physical and emotional energy into yesterday's must win game. Truth be told, Illinois had lost 5 of their previous 6 games leading into yesterday's game and they were not playing solid basketball. They mustered up enough to win yesterday, again vs. a Wisconsin team that hasn't shot that poorly in years. It wasn't so much that the Illini "broke out of it" and played great basketball. Today it comes crashing down as OSU dominated IU for the third time this year. Lay the points.
LARRY NESS
Detroit @ Atlanta
PICK: Atlanta -11.5
The addition of Jamal Crawford (17.5) has been HUGE this year for the Hawks, joining All Star Johnson (21.4-4.7-4.7) and veteran PG Bibby (8.9-4.1 APG) in Atlanta's backcourt. The frontcourt of forwards Smith (15.9-8.8) and Williams (10.2-5.2) plus center Horford (14.1-9.4) give the Hawks a six-man rotation which competes favorably with most NBA teams. The Hawks have fallen four games back of the Magic in the Southeast but enter this game tied with Boston (41-23), as both teams try to earn the No. 3 seed. It's important, as the Cavs could be avoided until the conference finals. Atlanta's next four opponents have a combined .370 winning percentage, starting with tonight's home game with the Pistons. Detroit has lost five in a row away from home and will again play without its best player, Rodney Stuckey (17.1-4.3-5.0). Stuckey collapsed on the bench during a loss at Cleveland on March 5 and while he's been cleared to resume exercising, there's been no return date set. The Pistons will miss the playoffs this year for the first time since 2001 and this year's team is a shell of the club which played in six consecutive Eastern Conference finals. Hamilton and Prince hardly look interested these days and Gordon, after topping 20 PPG in two of his last three years with the Bulls, is averaging 13.7 PPG this year with Detroit. His 17 points last night was the first time in 10 games in which he's scored more than 11 points. He's shooting a career-low 29.9 on threes (he's 40.5 percent for his career), as the Pistons are the league's worst three-point shooting team this year. Detroit ranks 29th in points (93.3 PPG) and 27th in FG percentage. The Hawks let one get away at MSG on Monday (lost 99-98 to the Knicks) but will take no prisoners here at home. Lay it.
Sam Martin
Ohio University at Akron
Prediction: Akron
We backed the Zips yesterday, and they came up just one basket short as they beat Western Michigan but couldnt cover the 4-point number. But Akron is still the better team here today, and well back them again against Ohio U. The Zips took both meetings against the Bobcats this year, and had solid shooting percentages both times plus dominated the offensive boards (had 34 combined offensive rebounds in both meetings). With a NCAA Tournament invite on the line, we have to back the better team! 5* Play on Akron.
Nelly
Ohio State - over Illinois
The Buckeyes won on a miracle last second shot last night but this is a team that should be in position to dominate today after a flat effort yesterday. Illinois knew all week that yesterday's game was an absolute do-or-die situation and their tournament life depended on it. They also got a match-up with a Wisconsin team that they had defeated earlier in the year and had recently lost badly to at home so the match-up was familiar and the motivation was huge. Illinois played great early and forced Wisconsin into its worst game of the season, but still nearly lost in the end as this team has not been able to finish games strong. Ohio State crushed Illinois in both regular season meetings between these teams, winning by 19 in Champaign and 16 at home. Ohio State did not shoot or play exceptionally in either game yet still won with ease and the gap between these two teams in much bigger than the conference records indicate. Illinois benefited from a very weak conference schedule and then was hammered in most games late in the year when the schedule got tough. Mike Tisdale, who was the key reason for the win yesterday, got banged up and does not look 100 percent. While Ohio State appears to have been the 'lucky' team with the last second shot yesterday it is Illinois that benefited from more bounces yesterday, shooting 53 percent while Wisconsin, a normally efficient offensive team, shot just 28 percent with the top three scorers all having awful games. In a game where they needed to play sharp smart basketball, Illinois had 17 turnovers and against the Buckeyes that will turn into a lot of transition points.