Ohio State vs Illinois Prediction 2/2/25 College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate an Ohio State vs Illinois Prediction for this college basketball game on Sunday, February 2nd, at the State Farm Center. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:

-The Buckeyes’ recent form and recent player performance 

-The Fighting Illini’s recent form and recent player performance

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Ohio State

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Illinois

-Recent betting trends in games played between Ohio State and Illinois

-A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between the Buckeyes and Fighting Illini

Big Game for Ohio State

This is another big game for Ohio State and they have a ton of confidence right now. Ohio State has won three games in a row and they have played really well heading into this game. In the last game against Penn State, Ohio State was able to secure the 83-64 victory. At halftime they were up 43-33 and they never looked back on the way to the win. John Mobley Jr had a strong game putting up 19 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. 

Ohio State comes into this game with a 13-8 record overall and they have gone 13-8 against the spread. The over has hit in only nine of the games so far this season. Ohio State on the season is averaging 80 points while their defense is giving up 70.7 points per game. The Buckeyes are averaging 58.48 shots per game which is 185th and as a team, they are shooting 48.2 percent from the field. Guard Bruce Thorton is averaging 17 points while shooting 52.3 percent from the field and 45.1 percent from the field. 

Why Ohio State Will Beat Illinois

• Ohio State has won each of its last seven day games against Conference opponents.
• Illinois has lost three of its last four games against the Big Ten Conference.

Illinois Looks to Bounce Back

Illinois has played pretty well this season but they are coming off a disappointing loss in the last game. Two games ago against Northwestern, Illinois won 83-74 but in the last game against Nebraska, they ended up falling short. Illinois scored 74 points, but the defense gave 80 points and that led to the defeat. Kasparas Jakucionis put up 18 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists. Illinois defense held  Nebraska to 39.7 percent from the field but Illinois only shot 35.6 percent from the field. 

Illinois sits with a 14-7 record overall and they have gone 10-10-1 against the spread. The over has hit in 11 of the games. Illinois is averaging 85.1 points while their defense is giving up 70 points per game. The offense is ranked 7th in the league while the defense is ranked 151st in the league. They are averaging 31.52 three-point attempts per game which is 4th in the league. Kasparas Jakucionis is averaging 16 points while shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from behind the three-point line. 

Ohio State vs Illinois Prediction

Give me Ohio State here on the road. Ohio State is an elite offensive team averaging 80 points per game and they are going to have no issue running up the score here. Illinois offense is also good, but they aren’t going to have the biggest game of the season here. Ohio State will use their balanced offensive attack, ,much like they have as of late, and that will be the difference here. Back Ohio State against the spread.