Illinois vs Ohio State Prediction, Game Preview: Big Ten Tournament Final

Big Ten Tournament Final: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Ohio State Buckeyes prediction and college basketball game preview.

Big Ten Tournament Final: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Ohio State Buckeyes prediction and college basketball game preview.


Illinois vs Ohio State Broadcast

Date: Sunday, March 14
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Network: CBS

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Illinois (22-6) vs Ohio State (21-8) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM


Why Illinois Will Win

Illinois isn’t just Ayo Dosunmu, getting 26 points out of 7-foot center Kofi Cockburn as the Illini pushed past Iowa 82-71 to get here.

The D didn’t have too many answers for Luke Garza, but the offense hit 49% from the field – making up for a rough day from three – and team won on the boards.

The won at Ohio State a few days ago by making just about everything from the field, winning the rebounding battle, and stopping the Buckeyes for loss stretches in the 73-68 win. For all of the good things Ohio State does, it doesn’t force enough turnovers or mistakes and it gets hit with a whole ton of fouls.

Illinois will turn it over, but don’t force mistakes and let the offense get settled – Ohio State failed to come up with a steal against Michigan – and there’s a problem.

Why Ohio State Will Win

The Buckeyes held on for dear life in a brilliant defensive performance over Michigan for a 68-67 win. They held down the Wolverines on the inside, didn’t buckle when they kept hitting free throw after free throw, and unlike an epic previous meeting, held down high-powered offense just enough.

Hot at just the right time, they’ve won three straight after a four-game losing streak by coming through with big plays late getting hot from the outside. It’s a good shooting three point team, but it had problems for a few games – not anymore.

The Buckeyes made 54% from three against the Wolverines and made 11 threes against Purdue.

The O was unstoppable in the win over the Illini in January, and it has to be just as relentless because …

What’s Going To Happen

Illinois is about to crank up the defensive pressure.

The offense keeps on rolling – it’s shooting as well as any team in America thanks to making a whole lot of plays on the move and with a whole bunch of assists helping the cause – but it’s the defensive stops from three that are taking over the season.

The Buckeyes have the firepower to pull this off, but Illinois – helped by a somewhat rested Dosunmu – will get too much consistent offense inside and out.

Illinois vs Ohio State Prediction, Line

Illinois 78, Ohio State 72
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Line: Illinois -5, o/u: 152
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 5

5: Michigan State Spartans
1: MSU Spartans presented by Rocket Mortgage

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College Basketball Top 25 Predictions, Game Previews: Saturday

The college basketball biggest games, top 25 predictions, TV schedules, game previews, and game times for Saturday, March 6.

The college basketball biggest games, top 25 predictions, TV schedules, game previews, and game times for Saturday, March 6.


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How are the picks so far?
SU 140-48, ATS 98-89, o/u: 106-79-1

CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews

Click on each link for the game preview and prediction. All times Eastern.

Florida State at Notre Dame

12:00 ESPN2
Line: Florida State -7, o/u: 152.5


Oklahoma State at West Virginia

2:00 ESPN2
Line: West Virginia -7, o/u: 149.5


Alabama at Georgia

2:00 CBS
Line: Alabama -9, o/u: 154.5


Indiana at Purdue

2:00 ESPN
Line: Purdue -8, o/u: 133.5


Villanova at Providence

2:30 FOX
Line: Villanova -4, o/u: 136.5


Illinois at Ohio State

4:00 ESPN
Line: Ohio State -1.5, o/u: 151.5


Butler at Creighton

4:00 FOX
Line: Creighton -13, o/u: 133


Virginia at Louisville

4:00 ESPN2
Line: Virginia -2, o/u: 122.5


Arkansas at Texas A&M

5:00 SEC Network
Line: Arkansas -15.5, o/u: 136.5


Duke at North Carolina

6:00 ESPN
Line: North Carolina -3, o/u: 148

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Illinois vs Ohio State College Basketball Game Preview

Illinois Fighting Illini vs Ohio State Buckeyes prediction and college basketball game preview.

Illinois Fighting Illini vs Ohio State Buckeyes prediction and college basketball game preview.


Illinois vs Ohio State Broadcast

Date: Saturday, March 6
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Value City Arena, Columbus, OH
Network: ESPN

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Illinois (19-6) vs Ohio State (18-7) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM


Why Illinois Will Win

The Illini are kicking it all in even with star Ayo Dosunmu out with a face injury – he’s expected to be back and fine soon.

Without him, Illinois has managed to rip off three straight including a dominant 76-53 win over Michigan to make a massive statement for the upcoming tournaments. The team has ramped up the defensive pressure, but more than anything else it’s killing everyone on the boards.

Illinois showed more energy and fight against the Wolverines going a +16 on the boards and nailing just about everything from three. On the other side, Ohio State has lost three straight with an offense that’s struggling and with nothing happening on the boards.

Why Ohio State Will Win

The Buckeyes are shooting well.

They’re not scoring enough, and they’re struggling from three over the last few outings, but they’ve done a good job of getting to the rim and they’re not bat at moving the ball around to get the easy shot.

For all of the great things that Illinois does, it doesn’t force a ton of mistakes and it commits a whole lot of fouls. Ohio State isn’t bad on the line, and it’s going to do whatever it can to attack in the final home game, but …

What’s Going To Happen

The Michigan game might have changed both teams.

Ohio State was fantastic against the Wolverines, lost, and hasn’t been able to get its mojo back. Illinois rocked That Team Up North, and can it keep that momentum going?

It’s the Illini’s fifth road game in six games, and there’s going to be a wee bit of a letdown after the massive performance on Tuesday. Ohio State will ramp up the intensity in the final home date.

Illinois vs Ohio State Prediction, Line

Ohio State 77, Illinois 73
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Line: Ohio State -1.5, o/u: 151.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 4

5: Team LeBron
1: Team KD

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