The No. 14 Illinois Fighting Illini (15-5, 6-3 BigTen) look to avenge last year’s defeat in Columbus as they take on the Ohio State Buckeyes (13-7, 3-6) at Value City Arena. Tipoff is Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET (Peacock). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Illinois vs. Ohio State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The 2 schools split their season series last season with the Under cashing both games. On Jan. 24th of last year, Illinois G Terrence Shannon Jr. led the way with 17 points as the Illini won 69-60. When they met in Columbus on Feb. 2, Ohio State G Bruce Thornton scored a game-high 20 points in the 72-60 Buckeyes win.
Shannon has struggled from beyond the arc since being reinstated from his suspension, going 1 for 14 from 3-point range in 3 games played, 2 of which were home wins for Illinois (86-63 vs Rutgers and 70-62 this past Saturday vs Indiana). In a 96-91 overtime loss to Northwestern 6 days ago, Shannon' tied his season high with 5 turnovers and was heavily taunted by the opposing crowd.
The Buckeyes have dropped 2 straight coming in and 5 of their last 6. Thornton leads the team with 16.1 points per game and senior F Jamison Battle sits atop the Big Ten in 3-pointers made per game (2.9).'OSU guard Roddy Gayle Jr. has been even worse of late than Shannon when it comes to efficiency from 3-point range. In his last 6 games, the sophomore is 1 for 21 from beyond the arc.