Illinois vs. Ohio State: Fighting Illini Set to Dominate Buckeyes at Value City Arena

Illinois (19-9 SU 17-11 ATS) vs. Ohio State (11-17 SU 8-20 ATS)

When: Sunday, February 26th: 12:00 ET

Where: Value City Arena Columbus, OH

TV: CBS

Point Spread: Ill -4.5/OSU +4.5 (Deposit $300 and get $300 FREE when you sign up through our link and use bonus promo code PREDICT100 at MyBookie Sportsbook!)

Total: 145.0

Money Line: Illinois -205/Ohio St. +165

Line Movement

The Illini hit the betting board as a -3.5 and has been bet up to -4.5/-5 with the public and some sharps laying down on Illinois. The total opened as high as 146 points and has dropped to 145.5.

Last Game Info

Illinois is coming off a 66-62 win over Northwestern. However, they did not cover the spread in the game as a -7.5 point favorite. The combined 128 points did not surpass the 136.5 total line.

Going into their last game, Ohio State was the betting favorite at -2.5 but fell to Penn State by a score of 75-71. The combined 146 points finished above the 142.5 total line.

Current Form

Illinois
Over their last five games, Illinois has a straight-up record of 3-2 while going 2-3 vs. the spread. Over this stretch, the Fighting Illini offense averages 72.4 points per game while hitting 45.4% of their shots from the field. On the defensive end of the floor, they have allowed opponents to shoot 43.9% from the field while allowing 71.0 points per contest.

Ohio State
In their previous five contests, Ohio State is 0-5 straight-up and 0-5 vs. the spread. In these five games, they have a scoring average of 61.0 points per game on a shooting percentage of 44.3%. Defensively, they allow teams to hit 50.2% of their shots while giving up 76.0 points per game.

Average Power Rating Of Opponents Played

This season, the combined power rating of Illinois’ opponents comes in at 82.1. On the other side, Ohio State’s combined opponent power rating sits at 84.

How Does Illinois Fare On The Road?

For the season, the Fighting Illini have played 12 road games and have a record of 5-7. In these contests, Illinois is 7-5 vs. the spread. Offensively, they have averaged 72.1 points per game on a shooting percentage of 44.8%. On defense, the Fighting Illini allow 71.8 points per contest when playing away from home. So far, opposing teams have a field goal percentage of 42.4% in these games.

How Does Ohio State Fare At Home?

In their 16 games at home, Ohio State has a 6-10 record vs. the spread while going 9-7 straight-up. On offense, the Buckeyes are shooting 48.0% on their home floor, leading to 75.9 points per game. Defensively, opponents are shooting 42.3% in these contests. The Ohio State defense is allowing 65.5 points per game at home.

Offense vs. Defense

For the season, Illinois is averaging 75.8 points per game (66th) while posting an overall field goal percentage of 45.3%. In today’s game, they will be matched up against an Ohio State defense that has allowed an average of 69.4 points per contest. This year, opponents have hit 43.2% of their shots vs. Ohio State. Conversely, the Ohio State Buckeyes are coming into the game averaging 73.8 points per game on a shooting percentage of 47.4%. The Buckeyes will be facing a defensive unit allowing an average of 65.3 points per contest. So far, teams have hit 40.7% of their shots vs. the Fighting Illini.

More Picks: Rutgers at Penn State Total Pick 2/26/23

Three-Point Shooting

From beyond the arc, Illinois has a shooting percentage of 36.7% while ranking 183rd in attempts per game. The Fighting Illini will be facing an Ohio State defense that has a 3-point field goal shooting percentage allowed of 32.6%. Ohio State enters the game having hit 37.3% of their looks from deep while averaging 8.1 made 3’s per game. On the other end, Illinois has allowed opponents to hit 32.2% of their shots from beyond the arc.

Injuries Of Note

Illinois

• No Reported Injuries

Ohio State

• Zed Key (Out) Shoulder

Pick vs. the Betting Line

I considered betting on Illinois. They’re playing exceptionally well, which of course, Ohio State isn’t. But the Illini have a couple of recent close losses on the road and a line of as high as -5 at some sportsbooks; this could be one of those games that they win and miss the cover. I do like the Total, though. Illinois has held seven of their last nine opponents to 71 or fewer points, with the only two teams exceeding that number being two of the better offenses in the Big Ten. That’s not Ohio State, who has a lot of difficulty reaching 70 PPG, a total they have exceeded in just 3 of their last 13 games. Take the Under 145.5. Bet your college basketball predictions for FREE this week by scoring a massive 125% real cash bonus up to $400 AND a free half point everytime you bet your favorite team when you use bonus promo code PREDICTEM at GTBets Sportsbook!