Ohio State Buckeyes vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/24/2023

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Venue:  State Farm Center, Champaign, IL

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  OSU +3.5, Illinois -3.5; Over/Under:  145.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  OSU +3.5, Illinois -3.5; Over/Under:  145.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  OSU +3.5, Illinois -3.5; Over/Under:  145.5 points

Ohio State Buckeyes:  11-8 (3-5) (12th place, Big Ten)

Illinois Fighting Illini:  13-6 (4-4) (8th place, Big Ten)

Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Will Rogers is on a HOT STREAK on an INSANE 19-2 L21 COLLEGE HOOPS! 9-0 L9! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.

Ohio State Buckeyes:  1-4  last 5

Illinois Fighting Illini:  4-1  last 5

Ohio State is coming into this game with an 11-8 record overall and they are 1-4 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are also 3-5 in their conference games this season as well. They are entering this game off of a win against the Iowa Hawkeyes in their last game. Brice Sensabaugh led the team in points in that game with 27 while Isaac Likekele was next on the team with 18 points. Isaac Likekele led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Isaac Likekele led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 56.3% from the field, 50% from 3-point range, and 76.5% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 77.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 66.7 PPG against them. Ohio State has an ATS record of 8-11 this season and their O/U record is 11-8.

Illinois is coming into this game with a 13-6 record overall and they are 9-2 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are also 4-4 in their conference schedule this season as well. They are entering this game off of a loss against the Indiana Hoosiers in their last game. Terrence Shannon Jr. led the team in points in that game with 26 while RJ Melendez was next on the team with 10 points. Terrence Shannon Jr. led the team in assists in that game with 3 while Dain Dainja led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 38.7% from the field, 42.1% from 3-point range, and 39.1% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 76.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 64.5 PPG against them. Illinois has an ATS record of 10-8-1 this season and their O/U record is 9-9-1.

The current betting odds have Illinois listed as a 3.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Illinois has been in a bit of a rough stretch lately as they have been struggling in their conference play with just a 4-4 record, but they have been having a good year overall with a 13-6 record and they are due for a get right game here. They have been a very good team at home all year with a 9-2 home record while Ohio State has been terrible in their road games this season with a 1-4 road record. Ohio State has also been struggling a lot more in conference play with a 3-5 conference record and they have been having a rougher season too with an 11-8 record overall after starting the season so hot. They are also without one of the best players due to an injury and it has really been hurting them in their games lately. Illinois was just embarrassed at home in their last game and they are going to be looking to bounce back on their home court with a much better performance. The best way to place a bet here is on Illinois to cover the spread in this game.

Ohio State Illinois Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Tuesday, January 24, 2023 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Illinois 68 OSU 62.

Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Ohio State Buckeyes Illinois Fighting Illini prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAB predictions and previews.

Ohio State Buckeyes: 26-18 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points. 26-18 ATS after a combined score of 165 points or more. 17-8 OVER as an underdog.

Illinois Fighting Illini: 15-25 ATS off an upset loss as a home favorite. 23-15 OVER when the total is 140 to 149.5. 13-7 OVER after 1 or more consecutive losses.

Ohio State Buckeyes:  Z. Key (F) Ques Tues - Lower Body.

Illinois Fighting Illini:  L. Goode (G) Early Feb - Foot.

"I don't have anything specific right now. It does not look like a long-term injury, as of now. It does not look like a long-term injury. asked him why he dunked it and he just said, 'Well, I was open.' So he felt good about that one. But he did feel some pain, but it does not look like a long-term injury." - Chris Holtmann on the injury status of Zed Key.

“I’m not worried about (Jackson-Davis’) 35 points. I’m worried about Geronimo having 13. Dain guarded (TJD) well for about three possessions. We tried to double late, but didn’t execute it.” - Brad Underwood after his team’s loss against Indiana in their last game.

Z. Key 

I. Likekele 

S. McNeil 

J. Sueing 

B. Thornton

S. Clark 

C. Hawkins 

M. Mayer 

R. Melendez 

T. Shannon

PPG: B. Sensabaugh (17.5)

APG: B. Thornton (2.9)

Reb/G: Z. Key (8.1)

PPG: T. Shannon Jr. (18.1)

APG: T. Shannon Jr. (3.2)

Reb/G: C. Hawkins (6)

Coaches:

Ohio State Buckeyes: Chris Holtmann (6th season)

Illinois Fighting Illini: Brad Underwood (6th season)