Ohio State Buckeyes at Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview/Prop Pick

The top of the Big Ten Conference standings is crowded, and two teams that are in the mix will meet up on Thursday night. The Illinois Fighting Illini will host the Ohio State Buckeyes, and this is the first matchup of the season between the two teams.

Ohio State comes into Thursday night with an overall record of 17-7, and they have gone 10-5 so far in conference action. The Buckeyes have won three of their last four games, including an overtime win over Indiana on Monday night.

Illinois has been a terrific team in Big Ten Conference play yet again as they have gone 12-4 through their first 16 games. The Fighting Illini are 19-7 overall on the year and are just outside the Top 10 in the most recent poll. 

The Illinois Fighting Illini are six-point betting favorites at home against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Liddell Leading the Buckeyes Charge

There was talk of E.J. Liddell leaving Ohio State after last season and headed to the NBA, and the Buckeyes are glad that he didn’t. Liddell has been terrific for Ohio State, leading the way with 19.5 points and more than seven rebounds per game. 

Guard Jamari Wheeler has a team-high 3.3 assists per game for Ohio State, but the Buckeyes need him to do some more scoring. Ohio State doesn’t always make a ton of shots, and that can lead to some issues on the offensive end of the floor.

The Buckeyes will have to find a way to play solid defense in the paint in this one and then find a way to box out Kofi Cockburn to have a chance. 

Illinois Must Make Some Shots

Illinois can be a scary team on the offensive end of the floor, but that only occurs when they are making shots. The Fighting Illini need Trent Frazier and Alphonso Plummer to shoot it well from deep if they are going to win this game.

All-American center Kofi Cockburn is averaging 21.7 points and 11.2 rebounds per game this season, and he usually shows up for Illinois. Ohio State does have some size to throw at the big man, but that hasn’t mattered much for recent opponents.

The defense of Illinois is what can set them apart from other teams in this league, especially on the perimeter. The Fighting Illini will challenge the Ohio State guards and make it tough on them to find room to shoot. 

Buckeyes Beat the Illini

Teams that have some size can give Illinois trouble, and Ohio State has one of the best big men in the conference. The Buckeyes will be able to contain Cockburn enough in this game that the Illini will struggle to score.

This is a game that is going to come down to the final minutes, and the Fighting Illini will feel the pressure at home. It’s hard for opponents to win in Champaign, but the Buckeyes will get the job done.

Take Ohio State to upset the Fighting Illini on Thursday night. 

Prop Pick

Illinois (-110) UNDER 73.5 Points

Ohio State is allowing 66.8 points per game on defense, which ranks No. 113 in the nation. Scores have gone UNDER in four of the Buckeyes’ last five games overall.

With Dunkel predicting a Ohio State victory by the score of 67-66, take the Fighting Illini (-110) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 73.5 points against the Buckeyes.

Be sure to check out all of our NCAAB picks!