The Ohio State Buckeyes and Illinois Fighting Illini square off at the State Farm Center on Tuesday night, with the tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.
The Buckeyes halted a five-game losing streak in a huge way, posting an emphatic 93-77 victory at home over Iowa on Saturday afternoon.
The Illini were dumped 80-65 at home against Indiana last Thursday, snapping a four-game win and cover streak. The Over is 2-0-1 in the past three games for Illinois, too.
Can the Buckeyes build upon their victory against the Hawkeyes last time out, or will the Fighting Illini be able to bounce back and continue ticking off covers? We’ll discuss in our college basketball picks and predictions for Ohio State vs. Iowa on January 24.
Ohio State vs Illinois best odds
Ohio State vs Illinois picks and predictions
The Buckeyes found themselves in the rankings early on, and when Ohio State rang in the New Year, it sat at 10-3 record, while sitting in the upper echelon of the Big Ten conference standings.
Ohio State then dropped five in a row while failing to cover five straight from January 5-18. The Over last time out for the Buckeyes also snapped a 3-0 Under run.
The Fighting Illini was stunned last time out against Indiana, falling 80-65 as a 6.5-point favorite, and the total pushing at most shops. When Illinois is good, it’s good, and when it’s bad, it’s REALLY bad. The Illini have lost four games since December 10, and each of those outings by 13 or more points.
The Buckeyes have done well this series in recent seasons, winning three out of the past five meetings, but covering four of those outings. The Over is 4-1 in the past five meetings, too.
The road team has also ended up winning five of the past seven meetings in this series dating back to December 5, 2018, while cashing four in a row ATS.
The Buckeyes’ offense had been struggling until the breakout game against Iowa, and the 93 points were the most since December 21 since dropping 95 on Maine in a non-conference tilt.
The good news for Ohio State is that F Zed Key appears to be getting healthier. He was on the shelf for a week due to a lower-body injury. He has posted at least 10 points and eight rebounds in each of the past four games, as he works his way back into form. Key is the straw that stirs the drink for Ohio State, and it will be in good shape on the road as long as he can avoid any setbacks.
My best bet: Ohio State +4.5 (-118 at FanDuel)
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Ohio State vs Illinois spread analysis
The Buckeyes had been struggling against the number until the giant showing against Iowa. The cover snapped an 0-5 ATS skid.
The Buckeyes hit from 56% (36 of 64) from the field against the Hawkeyes, including an outstanding 50% (8 of 16) from behind the 3-point line. OSU was also 76% (13 of 17) from the free-throw line, while Key and the Buckeyes outrebounded the visitors 33 to 25. The good news is that Ohio State turned it over just 11 times, while posting 15 assists.
The Fighting Illini were ice-cold against the Hoosiers, hitting just 39% (24 of 62) from the field. The biggest shocker for Illinois was an abysmal 43% (9 of 21) from the free-throw line.
The number from the charity stripe isn’t terribly shocking, as the Illini are one of the worst free-throw shooting teams in America, hitting at just 65.3% from the line this season. They leave a lot of free points on the floor, and that’s maddening to Illinois side bettors.
The difference might be in shooting splits in this close game, as Ohio State is a decent 74.3% from the line, and 38.7% from downtown. Illinois has hit just 33.5% from behind the 3-point line, so that’s another area to watch.
Ohio State vs Illinois Over/Under analysis
As far as totals are concerned, the Over is the lean in this Big Ten battle.
The Over has cashed at a 4-1 clip in the past five games against winning teams for Ohio State, while going 6-2 in the past eight games following a straight-up victory, too. The Over is 29-13-1 in the past 43 games after a cover, too.
For Illinois, the Over is 3-1-1 in the past five games overall, while the Illini has managed a 4-1 mark in the past five games against teams with a winning overall record.
The Over is also 4-1 in the past five meetings in this series, with the winning team posting at last 86 points in three of the past four battles overall. In the past five meeting in Champaign, the Over is 5-0, too.
Based on the trends, look to the Over, but play it lightly. Again, remember, Illinois is a terrible free-throw shooting team, and that can be super frustrated when counting down the points at the end. A half-unit play on the Over is fine, based on the trends. But don’t include it in a parlay with Ohio State and the points.
Ohio State vs Illinois betting trend to know
The underdog is 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings in this series, while the road team is also 4-0 ATS in the previous four meetings. Find more College basketball betting trends for Ohio State vs. Illinois.
Ohio State vs Illinois game info
| Location: | State Farm Center, Champaign, IL |
| Date: | Tuesday, January 24, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
