Illinois Fighting Illini at Ohio St Buckeyes, Value City Arena, Columbus, OH
Tuesday, February 22, 2011, 7:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Ohio St -10 1/2
Current Line: Ohio St -10 1/2
Opening Total: 135
Current Total: 135
Money Line: OSU -600 / Illinois +450
These two teams played in Champaign January 22. Ohio St won a close game 73-68. in that game Ohio St was down by 8 points in the second half. Ohio St freshman forward Jared Sullinger took over and the Buckeyes came storming back for the win. Sullinger had 27 points and 16 rebounds in that game. The two teams meet again in Columbus tonight. Ohio St has lost of two of their last three games at Wisconsin 71-67 and at Purdue 76-63 after winning their first 24 games to start the season. Ohio St is 25-2 overall and 12-2 in the Big Ten. Ohio St is #2 in the AP poll and #3 in the ESPN coaches’ poll. The Buckeyes are still in first place in the conference but the losses have slimmed the lead down to a single game. Ohio St has wins over Florida, Florida St, Miami-Oh, South Carolina, Oakland, Indiana, Iowa twice, Minnesota twice, Penn St, Purdue, Northwestern, Michigan twice, and Michigan St. Illinois has wins over Maryland, North Carolina, Gonzaga, Oakland, Iowa, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Michigan St, Penn St, Minnesota, and Michigan. They have losses to Texas, Illinois-Chicago, Missouri, Penn St, Wisconsin, Indiana, Northwestern, Purdue, and Michigan St. Illinois lost at Michigan St Saturday 61-57. Since the Ohio St loss, Illinois has alternated wins and losses for a 3-4 record. They are 17-10 overall and 7-7 in conference.
Illinois leads the overall series 102-68 but Ohio St 41-40 in Columbus. Ohio St has won 4 of the last 6 in the series, including 4 straight. They are 3-2-1 ATS in those meetings. Ohio St just played Sunday but are 7-0 ATS when playing on one day or fewer rest in the past 3 seasons. Illinois is 13-5 ATS on the road over the last 2 seasons.
Illinois has no significant injuries right now. They are led by guard Demetri McCamey, who is averaging 14.5 points to lead the team, 3.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists to lead the team, and 1.1 steals a game to lead the team. He is shooting 47.5% from 3-point range. Forward Mike Davis is averaging 11.6 points, 6.9 rebounds to lead the team, and 1.6 assists per game. Forward Mike Tisdale averages 6.5 rebounds a game, and leads the team in blocks with 1.6 a game. He is scoring 9.5 points a game as well. Brandon Paul averages 9.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1 steal a game. Guard D.J. Richardson averages 9 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists a game. Illinois is outscoring opponents 72-65 on the season. Illinois is shooting 46.2% from the field and 38.8% from 3-point range. Illini opponents are shooting 39.7% from the field. No Illini opponent has shot over 50% from the field in any game. Illinois shoots 72.6% from the free throw line. Illinois averages 35 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +1.3. The Illini average 16.4 assists and 12.7 turnovers a game on defense. They force 12.9 turnovers a game on defense. Illinois averages 5.8 steals and 4.6 blocks a game.
Ohio St has no significant injuries right now. The Buckeyes have four players averaging double digit scoring. Freshman Forward Jared Sullinger, a national player of year candidate, is averaging 18 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 steal a game. He leads the team in scoring and rebounding. Guard William Buford averages 14 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists a game. Guard/forward David Lighty averages 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.7 steals a game. Guard Jon Diebler averages 11.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Aaron Craft leads the team in assists with 4.5 a game and steals with 1.9 a game. Dallas Lauderdale leads the team in blocks with 1.7 a game. Ohio St is outscoring opponents 77-59 on the season. The Buckeyes shoot 49.1% from the field and 39.7% from 3-point range. Buckeye opponents are shooting 42.7% from the field. The Buckeyes shoot 69.6% from the free throw line. The Buckeyes average 34.3 rebounds, and have a rebounding margin of +4.4. Ohio St averages 16.1 assists, and 10.8 turnovers a game. They force 16.2 turnovers a game on defense. The Buckeyes average 7.7 steals and 3.3 blocks a game.
Ohio St had nightmares about Purdue guard E’Twaun Moore who torched the Buckeyes for a career high 38 points. It won’t get any easier as they have to try and slow down McCamey. The Buckeyes did a good job containing him in the first meeting between the two teams holding him to 5 points, on 2 of 11 shooting. The Buckeye’s air of invincibility disappeared during their recent struggles, but they are still a top 5 team that will play deep into March and/or April. Illinois was ranked in the top 25 as late as last month. The Illini are only 3-5 in their last 8 games. That stretch has put the Illini on a shaky bubble, and they need a signature win to bolster their resume. I don’t see that happening at an angry Ohio St team.
Our college basketball handicappers are red hot in 2011. Don’t miss out on any more winners this season.
