The Ohio State Buckeyes will be looking to build on their first win since New Year's Day when they face the Illinois Fighting Illini on Tuesday night. Ohio State snapped its five-game losing streak with a 93-77 win against Iowa on Saturday, easily covering the 3.5-point spread. Illinois had won four straight games prior to its 80-65 setback against Indiana last Thursday, so it will be looking to get back on track.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET. The Fighting Illini are favored by 4 points in the latest Illinois vs. Ohio State odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under is set at 144.5. Before entering any Ohio State vs. Illinois picks, you'll want to see the college basketball predictions from the model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. The model enters Week 12 of the season 45-26 on all top-rated college basketball picks, returning more than $1,100 for $100 players. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Illinois vs. Ohio State. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several college basketball odds for Illinois vs. Ohio State:
- Illinois vs. Ohio State spread: Illinois -4
- Illinois vs. Ohio State over/under: 144 points
- Illinois vs. Ohio State money line: Illinois -180, Ohio State +152
- Illinois vs. Ohio State picks: See picks here
Why Illinois can cover
Illinois was dealing with some fatigue heading into its game against Indiana last week, as it had been playing multiple games per week for three straight weeks. The Illini have had plenty of time to rest since that loss, so they should be a much fresher team coming into this matchup. Meanwhile, Ohio State is on the road for the third time in four games, and it has lost five of its last six games.
Buckeyes forward Zed Key injured his left knee after a dunk with 21 seconds remaining against Iowa, and his availability for this game is unknown. Key is the team's third-leading scorer (12.1) and leading rebounder (8.1), so his absence would be a huge blow. Illinois has won and covered the spread in four of its last five games, while Ohio State has only won and covered once in its last six games.
Why Ohio State can cover
Ohio State's losing streak was not nearly as bad as it sounds, with all five losses coming by seven points or less. The Buckeyes were able to put that skid to rest on Saturday, rolling to a 93-77 win as small favorites against Iowa. Star freshman Brice Sensabaugh scored a season-high 27 points on 10 of 12 shooting, including a 4 of 5 mark from 3-point range.
Veteran guard Isaac Likekele added a double-double for the Buckeyes, scoring a season-high 18 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out seven assists. Illinois is coming off one of its worst showings of the year, losing to Indiana by 15 points despite being a 6-point favorite. Ohio State has covered the spread in eight of its last 12 trips to Illinois, and it has won 11 of the last 15 meetings outright.
How to make Illinois vs. Ohio State picks
The model has simulated Ohio State vs. Illinois 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is leaning Over, and it also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Illinois vs. Ohio State? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is 45-26 on its top-rated college basketball picks this season, and find out.
