Illinois vs. Ohio State Pick
Should No. 17 Ohio State have any trouble at home when the Buckeyes play host to Illinois today at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, Ohio State is favored at home in this game, as the Buckeyes are getting odds of -12 points against Illinois. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 145 points. Today’s game takes place from Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio and will air live on FS1.
After losing six straight, Illinois has put together back-to-back wins over Indiana and Rutgers. The Illini are 12-11 overall, 2-8 in the Big Ten and 8-10-1 against the spread. Illinois is averaging 77 points per game on offense while allowing 72.6 per game. Leron Black is leading Illinois, who is averaging 14.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Trent Frazier is adding 11.7 points per contest.
Ohio State is coming off a 71-56 win at home over Indiana just after suffered an 82-79 loss to Penn State. The Buckeyes are 19-5 overall this season, 10-1 in the Big Ten and 12-10 against the spread. Ohio State is averaging 77.5 points per game on offense this year while giving up 66.2 per contest. Keita Bates-Diop is leading Ohio State with 19.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per contest while Jae’Sean Tate is adding 12.9 points and 6 rebounds per game.
Bet on Illinois vs. Ohio State
Ohio State has won six of the last seven meetings with Illinois, but the two have yet to meet this season. Illinois managed a pair of wins recently, but they were both at home. They have lost their last four road games and covered in just one of them. Outside of the loss to Penn State, the Buckeyes have been pretty good at home. After the loss, they hammered Indiana and I think they will hammer Illinois today. The public betting is strongly behind Ohio State as well.
CBB DAILY PREDICTION: OHIO STATE -12