9:00 p.m. ET: Ohio St Buckeyes (17-7) at Illinois Fighting Illini (19-7)

Spread: Illinois -6
Total: 140.5

The #15 Illinois Fighting Illini hosts the #22 Ohio State Buckeyes after Kofi Cockburn scored 27 points in Illinois’ 79-74 win against the Michigan State Spartans. The Fighting Illini have gone 11-2 at home. Illinois scores 76.0 points and has outscored opponents by 9.3 points per game. The Buckeyes have gone 10-5 against Big Ten opponents. Illinois is led by Cockburn who is shooting 60.8% and averaging 21.7 points and EJ Liddell is scoring 19.5 points per game and averaging 7.6 rebounds for the Buckeyes. Illinois is 17-0 when they hit 43% or better and 2-7 when they don’t. Ohio State holds opponents to only 40%  from the field and only 32% from three. The key to beating Illinois is defending the three and having enough big men to keep Cockburn from dominating the paint and the boards which Ohio State can do with the combination of Lidell, Key, and Kyle Young. Illinois has played well at home this season but they struggle closing out games. The Fighting Illini have failed to cover the spread in 3 of the last 4 and 7 of the last of 10. Ohio State has covered the spread in 3 of its last 4 and 7 of the last 9. You can expect this game to be lower scoring with Ohio State staying in the game throughout. Look for the Buckeyes to keep it close and cover the spread. 

Trends

• The Road team is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
• The Underdog is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
  

The Bookie:          Ohio St. +6
Fade the Public:   Ohio St.
Sharp Action:       Ohio St.