At the beginning of the season, Ohio State bolted out of the gate to climb to second in the national polls. Then came an alarming slump in which their March Madness prospects seemed to be in doubt. However, the Buckeyes have gotten the train back on the track just in time and have again shown good CBB betting value. Illinois had a rough first couple of seasons under coach Mike Underwood. But his recruiting has now started to pay off with vast improvement and March Madness potential. Underwood is now thriving with his kind of guys on the hardwood.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
| Date and Time: | Thursday, March 5, 2020, 7 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Value City Arena, Columbus, Ohio |
| Illinois vs. Ohio State TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| CBB Betting odds at SBG: | Click Here |
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Overview
Now Ohio State is red hot with eight sportsbook payouts in their last 10 games. OSU now stands at 20-9 straight up, 18-11 vs. the odds, and 12-17 under the total. National metrics have the Buckeyes ranked 140th for scoring offense, but 20th for points allowed. To show, it has been a remarkable improvement for Ohio State. OSU now brings March Madness momentum and a championship-level defense. Beating Michigan 77-63 on Sunday validated their worth.
Illinois is in the Big Dance position after a 67-66 home win over Indiana. As a result, the Fighting Illini are 20-9 straight up, 14-13-1 against the spread and 10-16 under the total. Brad Underwood’s team ranks 137th in the nation for a total offense, but 54th for points allowed. Specifically, that defense and Ayo Dosunmu have become assets down the stretch. Furthermore, this is a team that could be dangerous in the NCAA tournament.
Key Fighting Illini: G Ayo Dosunmu (16.4 PTRS, 4.2 REB, 3.1 AST, 48.0 FGPCT, 76.8 FTPCT, 30.0 3PPCT), C Kofi Cockburn (13.6 PTS, 9.0 REB, 0.6 AST, 53.1 FGPCT, 67.3 FTPCT, 0.0 3PPCT)
Key Buckeyes: F Kaleb Wesson (14.0 PTS, 9.6 REB, 2.0 AST, 44.4 FGPCT, 72.0 FTPCT, 43.0 3PPCT), G Duane Washington Jr (11.4 PTS, 2.7 REB, 1.5 AST, 41.0 FGPCT, 81.5 FTPCT, 40.0 3PPCT)
Illinois vs. Ohio State Against the spread
The Fighting Illini are:
- 7-5 against the spread on the road
- 3-9 under the total in their last 12 away games
- 4-1 on the board in their last five games at Ohio State
- 1-5 under the total on the road vs. the Buckeyes
- 5-4 vs. the odds in their last nine games as a dog
- 8-5 over the total when getting points
The Buckeyes are:
- 13-7 against the spread in their last 20 games as a favorite
- 4-7 under the total when laying points
- 6-7 vs. the odds head to head with Illinois
- 3-8 under the total in their series with the Fighting Illini
- 14-4 on the board in their last 18 home games
- 3-5 under the total at home
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Ohio State Buckeyes CBB Betting Picks
On this occasion, we get an Illinois team that is capable and live CBB Betting with bite. As mentioned earlier the Fighting Illini has shown good value at Ohio State. Illinois must keep fighting to ensure an invite to the Big Dance. Brad Underwood’s team has the defense to hang here.
Illinois vs. Ohio State CBB Bets pick: Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois vs. Ohio State CBB Bets Score Prediction: Illinois 71, Ohio State 70