• Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
  • Consider registering! Fewer and higher quality ads, no emails you don't want, access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Even if you just want to lurk, there are a lot of good reasons to register!

#14 Illinois at Ohio State, Tuesday, January 30, 2024, 7 PM ET, Peacock

ScriptOhio

Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.

BASKETBALL PREVIEW: ILLINOIS’ SCORING PROFICIENCY, REBOUNDING DOMINANCE WILL MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR OHIO STATE TO STOP ITS SKID​

Preventing a second three-game losing streak within a seven-game span isn’t going to be an easy task for Ohio State on Tuesday.
The Buckeyes’ opponent coming off of back-to-back losses is No. 14 Illinois, a 15-5 team tied for third in the Big Ten. Ohio State is tied for third-to-last in the Big Ten.

It’s a matchup that comes three days after the Buckeyes suffered their most lopsided defeat of the season, a 25-point blowout loss to Northwestern on the road that was even more lopsided than the final scoring margin.

Regardless of any negativity surrounding his team or the daunting nature of playing a top-15 team, Chris Holtmann remains committed to keeping his squad’s focus internal and centered on improvement.

"Our only focus is today," Holtmann said. "Even though it is a quick turnaround against a really good Illinois team, I think, in some ways, that can be a good thing, and we're excited to see how our guys respond. So much of athletics is about how you respond and we have an opportunity to respond."
.
.
.

HOW IT PLAYS OUT​

LINE: ILLINOIS -3, O/U 150.5​

It’s hard to see Ohio State’s losing skid stopping in this one. The Buckeyes have struggled defensively of late, giving up 83 points to both Nebraska and Northwestern and allowing those teams to shoot a combined 53.3% from three-point range. That doesn’t bode well against an offense as prolific as the Fighting Illini’s.

Prediction: Illinois 84, Ohio State 71


Prediction

Stephen’s pick: OSU’s problems have often come on the road regardless level of the opponent. But it’s also just not a better team than the Fighting Illini which is enough reason to think it’ll get its sixth loss in tight games. 78-70, Illinois.

Illinois vs Ohio State Betting Prediction​

Ohio State comes into this game after losing five of their last six contests and they have allowed 83 points in each of their last two games. The Buckeyes will look to turn things around in conference play and they will be at home for this game. Illinois has won three of their last four games, with the one loss coming on the road in overtime against Northwestern. Illinois is the much better team in this matchup and they are scoring over 82 points per game. I know Ohio State is at home and it’s never easy to win on the road in conference play, but I can’t trust this Ohio State team at all. Take Illinois here.

LGHL score prediction: Illinois 80, Ohio State 71

Just sayin': I couldn't find any site that predicted Ohio State would win this one. Hell, I was even thinking of putting a few vDollars on the Illini (-3); but I couldn't find the game on Buckeye Planet's "Sportsbook".

This team really needs to step up with another "Matt Sylvester moment" game:

 
Last edited:
The Bucks have scored 70+ once in their last six games - it's the only game they won.

OSU is 11-1 when breaking the 70 point mark. The only loss was the meltdown at PSU.

OSU has won one game when scoring less than 70 points: 67-60 over UCLA.

70 seems like an important number for this team.
 
Upvote 0
GFIPwq0WIAAmewf


Well, after the first 10 minutes it looks like Battle and Gayle came to play. Collectively they are 7-7 with 15 points. The Buckeyes are holding their own, if fact they are actually up 21-18.
 
Upvote 0
Back
Top