Ohio State vs. Illinois State basketball preview, prediction, and odds

The Ohio State basketball team is set to tip the season off today against Illinois State. We’ve got your preview and prediction.

Ohio State cliff notes game plan

OK. Let’s not get cute here. There’s no doubt Ohio State isn’t quite sure what its own identity is just like the rest of us. What happens in practice simply can’t replicate what to expect in a game situation. However, the talent gap between the Buckeyes and Redbirds is significant, so it’s time to simply use this game as a glorified scrimmage that counts.

Get into half-court sets, work the offense, try multiple combinations on the floor, and work on simple things like boxing out, rebounding, and playing solid defense.

Aside from that, this is a game to feel out what pieces work and where you can expect scoring to come from. Most importantly though, this team’s going to go as far as its defense can take it, so everyone has to be on the same page and show effort on that end of the court.

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