Illinois vs Ohio State Odds, Picks and Predictions: Battle, Buckeyes Fight Bravely vs Illini

The pressure is on for Ohio State basketball with Ross Bjork tabbed as the Buckeyes new athletic director and head coach Chris Holtmann’s seat getting hotter. Ohio State is just 1-5 in its last six and now has No. 14 Illinois coming to town.

When the Illini are at full strength, they’re one of the top scoring teams in the country. The college basketball odds have them as 2.5-point favorites at Value City Arena. Despite the Buckeyes struggles the last two seasons, they’re a much more proficient team at home, and that may bode well for the Over in this one.

Find out where my best bets lie in our college basketball picks and predictions for Illinois vs. Ohio State on Tuesday, January 30.

Illinois vs Ohio State best odds

Illinois vs Ohio State picks and predictions

Ohio State has won just one true road game the last two seasons and that came on January 1, 2023 against Northwestern. Holtmann’s squad is an enigma, capable of keeping up with the explosive Alabama offense while also being able to get smoked by a lowly Michigan program.

The Buckeyes only seem able to find true success when they’re not in the opponent’s arena. That’s when this offense gets in a rhythm and looks effective enough to carry the team to the NCAA Tournament. Luckily for Over bettors, with the total set at 150, Ohio State is at home and has the talent to push an Illinois defense that gave up 96 to Northwestern last week. 

The Buckeyes are averaging 75.2 points per game, and that number jumps up to 77.7 when Holtmann’s team is at home or playing at a neutral site. Of Ohio State’s seven sub-73-point games this year, just two have come in their own building.

The talent is there for Ohio State to keep up on the offensive end with some of the premier programs in the Big Ten. The key to the Buckeyes hitting the Over will come down to the three-headed attack of Bruce Thornton, Jamison Battle, and Roddy Gayle Jr.

Those three have the Buckeyes ranked 48th in adjusted offensive efficiency this season and are combining for 43.7 points per game. Thornton is the leading scorer with 16.1 ppg and his game is predicated on attacking the rim — he’s shooting 48.9% from two and taking a team-leading 5.2 free throws per game. 

Gayle Jr. has a similar approach and averages 13.8 points per game, as does Jamison Battle, a big man whose 3-point shooting ability has been the Buckeyes X-factor this season. It won’t be easy with the Illini defense ranking 30th in adjusted defensive efficiency, but the offense will only need to score in the low 70’s with the way the Illinois offense is poised to light up Holtmann’s defense.

Brad Underwood’s program is one of the best in the country and sits seventh in adjusted offensive efficiency this season. The team is averaging 82.1 points per game and has scored at least 86 points in three of its last four.

Even in the surprising road loss to Northwestern last week, Illinois finished with 91, adding to its offensive dominance of the Big Ten. Illinois is averaging 80.3 ppg in conference play this year and has taken advantage of some of the conference’s worst defenses.

Illinois is averaging 91.6 points per game against Big Ten opponents who rank outside the Top 75 in adjusted defensive efficiency. Ohio State ranks 100th in adjusted defensive efficiency. And while the Buckeyes are holding opponents to 68.2 points per game, Big Ten teams are scoring 75.2 points per game against the team.

Illinois isn’t short on scoring talent either with four players averaging double-digit points. Terrence Shannon Jr. is going for 19.9 per game and hitting 35.3% of his 3s, and he should add to that against the Buckeyes. Ohio State is one of the worst 3-point defending teams in the country, allowing teams to shoot 35.7% from deep.

Along with Shannon Jr., Illinois has mid-range ace Marcus Domask and his 15.2 points per game, big man Coleman Hawkins, and slashing forward Quincy Guerrier. Hawkins might provide the most valuable mismatch with the 6-foot-10 center hitting 36.3% of his 3-point attempts this season.

Overall, Illinois has the type of versatile offense to give Ohio State all kinds of problems, but the Buckeyes have enough offensive talent to help the Over hit.

My best bet: Over 150 (-110 at bet365)

Illinois vs Ohio State same-game parlay

Over 150.5

Marcus Domask Over 15.5 points

Jamison Battle Over 13.5 points

+375 at bet365

During Shannon Jr.’s suspension, Domask took his game to another level and has quickly become one of the best second options in the Big Ten. The Southern Illinois transfer took some time to adjust to the high-major level but has really found his groove over the last month.

Domask has put up at least 16 points seven times in 20 games with five of those games coming in his last eight outings. In January, he’s averaging 20.5 points per game.

Likewise, Battle has emerged as Ohio State’s most trusted second option on offense. The Minnesota transfer has brought some much needed 3-point ability to Holtmann’s team and is hitting 44.2% of his shots from deep. On the season, Battle is averaging 13.8 points and has scored at least 14 in eight of 20 games.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Illinois vs Ohio State spread and Over/Under analysis

Most books opened with Illinois as 2.5 to 3-point favorites and remain there. The Illini are 10-7-3 ATS this season, but just 2-3-1 over their last six games. Ohio State has been one of the worst teams ATS going 6-13-1, including 3-10 in its last 13.

The total opened between 149.5 and 150.5 with most books settling in at 150. Illinois is 12-8 to the Over this season and 10-3 in its last 13. The Buckeyes are 11-9 to the Over and have hit it in each of their last two games. 

Illinois vs Ohio State betting trend to know

Illinois has hit the Game Total Over in 7 of their last 11 away games (+2.60 Units / 21% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Illinois vs. Ohio State.

Illinois vs Ohio State game info

Illinois vs Ohio State key injuries

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