Illinois
Fighting Illini at Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview
The Ohio
State Buckeyes host the Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday afternoon to close
out the regular season. Besides this being a huge Big Ten rivalry game, a
potential No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament is up for grabs.
Ohio State
blew out Illinois in the first meeting of the year, but things have changed
drastically since that point. Illinois has now replaced Ohio State on the
number one seed line and is looking to stay there.
Handicapping
March Madness 2021
Illinois
enters this game with a 15-4 record in Big Ten Conference action and currently
sits in second place. Ohio State has slipped to 12-7 in league play, which is
good enough for fifth place.
This game
could be a preview of a Big Ten tournament matchup and potentially a finals
matchup. The Fighting Illini want revenge, while Ohio State wants to earn a
double-bye in the conference tournament.
Our last
article here at Top Rank Sports Picks was an Auburn
at Baylor betting preview. Go see how we did.
Defense
Gives Illini Massive Win
The
Fighting Illini have played their past three games without Ayo Dosunmu, but
they have gone a perfect 3-0. Illinois held the Michigan Wolverines to just 53
points on Tuesday night to pick up a massive upset win. We got a great number
at America’s
Bookie for that game!
Illinois is
holding opponents to just 68.5 points per game this season while scoring over
80 per game. You won’t find many more physical teams than Illinois, and this
team also has plenty of depth.
Dosunmu is
expected to play on Saturday, and that will provide a huge boost for the
Illini. The All-American is averaging 21.0 points and 5.3 assists per game to
carry the Illini on offense.
Editor’s
Choice > Getting
Ready For the 2021 Masters
Buckeyes
Must Find Offense
Ohio State
is averaging 77.2 points per game this season, but it has struggled of late.
The Buckeyes have averaged just 62 points in their last two losses and have
shot it poorly.
The
Buckeyes have been a solid defensive team, allowing less than 70 points per
game. Ohio State can keep this game close with defense, but at some point, it
must score.
Forward
E.J. Liddell leads the Buckeyes with 15.9 points per game, and he dominated the
Illini in the first meeting. Ohio State is capable of shooting the ball well,
making over 36 percent of shots from deep this season.
Must Read: 2021
NBA Insider Info
Illinois
Does it Again
Ohio State
pounded Illinois in the first meeting, and revenge will be on the minds of the
Illini. Illinois is playing terrific basketball at this time, and it will have
plenty of momentum.
Ohio State
is headed in the wrong direction, and lack of offense has been a major issue
for this team. The Buckeyes are limping to the finish, and that is a major
problem against Illinois.
This game
should be tight throughout, but Ohio State just doesn’t have the weapons to
keep up. Illinois is going to take control on both ends of the floor and pick
up its second straight major upset.
Bet the
Illinois Fighting Illini over the Ohio State Buckeyes in this Big Ten
Conference clash.
