It’s not really a matter of who will win the Big Ten this season, as Michigan State already has a two-game lead in the loss column in the conference. But both Ohio State and Illinois would no doubt like to finish in second if possible as well as improve their NCAA Tournament resumes beginning with a win Tuesday night.
The Illini, who entered the polls this week for the first time since the end of the 2005-06 season, are 7.5-point WagerWeb.com home favorites for tonight’s game in Champaign. But OSU is on a five-game win streak against the Illini, dating back to a 65-64 upset over then-undefeated Illinois on March 6, 2005.
In addition, while Illinois is coming off a loss at Michigan State (no shame in that), OSU enters on a three-game Big Ten winning steak after wins over Indiana and at Michigan last week. That win over the Wolverines was OSU’s first conference road win over a ranked opponent since a victory at Michigan State in 2006. The Buckeyes are 3-1 against ranked teams this season after going 3-9 against them last season.
The Buckeyes have shot better than 50 percent from the field in the past three games, but Illinois holds opponents below 40 and its past four opponents to 21 field goals or fewer.
William Buford has come on for OSU, averaging 17.5 points his past four games. Center B.J. Mullens is shooting a Big Ten-best 71.4 percent from the field in conference play. Evan Turner leads the Buckeyes in scoring (15.9 points per game) and rebounding (7.0).
“He’s having a tremendous year,” Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. “We saw signs of it last year, him having the capability of doing a lot of things. We need him to continue to grow and get better.”
Illinois has faced four ranked teams in its last five games, going 3-2 in that span en route to entering the poll Monday. Illinois has four players averaging double figures in points and is scoring 70.1 per ga
WagerWeb.com Game Trends
* Buckeyes are 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 Tuesday games.
* Buckeyes are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog of 7.0-12.5.
* Buckeyes are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 7.0-12.5.
* Buckeyes are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
* Buckeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
* Buckeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog.
* Buckeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog.
* Buckeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
* Buckeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Buckeyes are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games following a S.U. win.
* Buckeyes are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games overall.
* Fighting Illini are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
* Fighting Illini are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Fighting Illini are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Tuesday games.
* Fighting Illini are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games overall.
* Fighting Illini are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite.
* Fighting Illini are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 vs. Big Ten.
* Fighting Illini are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games following a S.U. loss.
* Fighting Illini are 25-12 ATS in their last 37 games as a home favorite of 7.0-12.5.
* Fighting Illini are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
* Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Illinois.
* Buckeyes are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
* Home team is 11-4 ATS in the last 15 meetings.
* Underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
NCAA Basketball Betting at WagerWeb.com
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