Ohio State vs Illinois – Basketball Prediction – Pick, Odds, & Analysis. The Bookie’s Daily Sports Betting Newsletter.

GAME:  #657 Ohio St. vs #658 Illinois
TIME:    3/14/2021 – 3:30p EST
SPREAD: Illinois -6
TOTAL:      150

The #5 seed Ohio State Buckeyes (21-8, 12-8) face the  #2 seed Illinois Fighting Illini (22-6, 16-4) in the Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday at 3:30 PM ET. Ohio State beat the Wolverines by a score of 68-67 in its last game while Illinois cruised past Iowa 82-71. These teams met twice this season with Ohio State winning at Illinois 81-87 and Illinois winning at Ohio State 68-73.

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

The Ohio State Buckeyes are averaging 77 points on 46% field goal shooting with eight 3-pointers on 36% three-point shooting per game. The Buckeyes are 70 points per game on 42% field-goal shooting while forcing 10.2 turnovers along with 4.6 steals and 2 blocks the game on defense. Ohio State is led by E.J. Lidell who is averaging 16 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 1.3 assists along with Duane Washington Jr who is averaging 15.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI

The Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 81 points on 50% field goal shooting along with 6.7 threes on 37% three-point shooting and 9.1 offensive rebounds per game. The Fighting Illini are allowing 68 points per game on 41% field goal shooting while forcing 11.3 turnovers along with 6.5 steals and 3.8 blocks per game on the defensive end. Illinois is led by Ayo Dosunmu who is averaging 20.5 points, six rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game along with Kofi Cockburn who is averaging 22 points, 10 rebounds, one steal, and one block per game.

TRENDS

OHIO STATE

• The Buckeyes are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight-up win.
• The Buckeyes are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 Sunday games.
• Over is 5-1-1 in the Buckeyes last 7 games following an ATS win.
• Over is 5-1-1 in the Buckeyes last 7 games following a straight-up win.
• Over is 5-1 in the Buckeyes last 6 games as an underdog.

ILLINOIS

• Fighting Illini are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
• Fighting Illini are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following an ATS win.
• Fighting Illini are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight-up win.
• Fighting Illini are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 Sunday games.

HEAD TO HEAD

• Underdog is 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings.

OHIO STATE vs ILLINOIS PREDICTION PICK

Ohio State and Illinois come into this Championship game hot. The Buckeyes however has Kyle Young who is listed as questionable but will most likely play. If he plays that doesn’t mean he will be able to play the entire game or even be effective if he is having concussion issues. If he sat out against Michigan then you know there is something going on. Liddell is also not playing his best basketball as he is nursing a back injury. Ohio State got out to early leads against Michigan and Purdue but struggled in the 2nd half barely winning in each. Illinois has a lot more offensive firepower and is clutch down the stretch. Illinois will dominate the boards on both ends as they are 34th in offensive rebounding percentage and 10th in offensive rebounding percentage allowed this season. With this being its 4th game in 4 days for the Buckeyes, the second half is bound to have a big effect on the stamina especially with the guys playing injured. Look for Illinois to pull away in the 2nd half to get the Big 10 title. The Bookie is rolling with the Illinois Fighting Illini to cover the spread. 

BETTING ANGLES:

The Bookie:         Illinois -6 / Under 150
Fade the Public:  Illinois / Under
Sharp Action:      Illinois / Under