Illinois Fighting Illini (19-7) vs Ohio State Buckeyes (17-7)
Game Info: Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 9:00 pm (State Farm Center)
Betting Odds: Illinois Fighting Illini -6 -- Over/Under: 139.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Ohio State Buckeyes and Illinois Fighting Illini face off on Thursday in a college basketball showdown at the State Farm Center. When these two teams faced off in March of 2021 it was Illinois that won 91-88.
Ohio State comes into this game with a 17-7 record overall and they have gone 13-11 against the spread. In the last game against Indiana it took overtime, but they were able to pull away and win by 11 points. Ohio State is averaging 74.2 points while their defense is giving up 66.8 points per game. EJ Liddell has been the top player for Ohio State averaging 19.5 points while shooting 51 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from behind the three point line. In this game Ohio State is going to need Liddell to have a strong game.
On the other side of this matchup is the Illinois Fighting Illini who sit with a 19-7 record overall and they have gone 12-14 against the spread. Even though Illinois has found success they have gone 2-2 over their last four games. In the last game against Michigan State, Illinois scored 79 points, and they won by four points. Illinois is averaging 76 points while their defense is giving up 66.7 points per game. Kofi Cockburn has been the top player for Illinois averaging 21.7 points while shooting 60.8 percent from the field. There are four different players that are averaging at least 10.5 points per game.
Ohio State is 1-5 against the spread in their last six games played on Thursday. The over is 5-1 in Ohio State’s last six games against a team with a winning percentage above .600. The under is 4-1 in Ohio State’s last five games. Illinois is 4-0 against the spread in their last four games played on Thursday.
This game is going to come down to who has the better game, EJ Liddell or Kofi Cockburn. I expect Liddell is going to be that guy, and he is going to find a way to get Cockburn in foul trouble. Look for Ohio State to get close to 73 or 74 points, and the Buckeyes will keep this game close. Back Ohio State against the spread.