Free NCAA Hoops Pick: Fighting Illini vs. Buckeyes CBB Odds
Looking for Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Ohio State Buckeyes NCAA basketball free picks & CBB odds? CBB betting sees the Fighting Illini taking on the Buckeyes on Saturday March 6, 2021 at the The Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all college basketball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily basketball predictions like this Fighting Illini Buckeyes matchup.
2021 NCAA Basketball Handicapping
(19-6) #4 Illinois Fighting Illini vs. #7 Ohio State Buckeyes (18-7)
Date: Saturday March 6, 2021
Time: 4:00 PM ET
Venue: The Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio
CBB Moneyline Odds: Illinois +110 , Ohio State -136
CBB Betting Odds: Buckeyes -2
CBB Betting Total: O/U 151
Saturday college hoops has a monster BIG 10 showdown in the works between the Illinois Fighting Illini and Ohio State Buckeyes.
Illinois is has the 2nd spot in the BIG10 locked behind Michigan and Ohio State boasts the 5th best record although both of these clubs are currently ranked in the top 10 nationally. That boasts the depth and competitive nature of a conference which has burst onto the scene this year wanting some recognition.
Illinois (19-6, 15-4 BIG10) will make the trip two states over to pay a visit to Ohio State (18-7, 12-7 BIG 10) and look to play spoiler on their home court in the regular season finale. These teams met back on January 16th as Ohio State jumped out to a 15 point halftime lead and did enough to hold off an Illinois comeback on the way to an 87-81 upset. I’m sure that loss still lingers in the heads of Fighting Illini players and they will want to get their revenge this Saturday.
Ohio State was led in scoring by EJ Liddell who dropped a game high 26 points while grabbing a team best 7 rebounds in the contest. Illinois received great production from Ayo Dosunmu who dropped 22 points while dishing 5 assists and pulling down 4 rebounds . He was followed by big man Kofi Cockburn who scored 15 points to pair with his 11 rebounds.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois has been on a roll all season and has surprised some their elite play which now has them all the way up to #4 in the country. The Fighting Illini have locked up the second spot in the BIG10 standings at 15-4 with 7 of those wins coming by a double digit margin.
The Fighting Illini enter this game on a high note after smacking Michigan in the mouth Tuesday night and handing the Wolverines their first loss at home and in conference all year. Illinois held a 11 point lead at the half and did not let up on the way to an impressive 76-53 win. An even more impressive element was that Illinois was without their arguable best player in Ayo Dosunmu who missed his 3rd straight game due to COVID protocals.
Illinois’ Ayo Dosunmu has been dominant all year for the Fighting Illini averaging 21 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists while Kofi Cockburn has put up 17.5 points and 9.8 rebounds. The Illinois offense has scored 81 points per game this season, ranking the Fighting Illini 19th nationally.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State is in desperate need for a win as they’ve entered a slump at the worst time of the year. The Buckeyes have now lost 3 straight games, most notably a beatdown at home by the hands of the Iowa Hawkeyes last Sunday 73-57. It was the teams lowest scoring output all season as no one was able to find a groove shooting especially from 3 point range as the team went only 5/17 (29.4%).
This top 10 showdown Saturday will be a great test for the Buckeyes in whether or not they have a legit change to make a deep run this tournament. Current projections have them as a #2 seed and if they want to keep it that way and avoid any further slippage they will need to put up a completive showing on their home court.
Ohio State Buckeyes’ talented forward E.J. Liddell will be the player to watch on Saturday. The 6’7″ sophomore is averaging a team-high 16.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, carrying the load for the Buckeyes’ offense.
CBB Betting Trends:
- Ohio State is 0-3 ATS and SU in last 3 games
- Ohio State is 7-3 SU in last 10 games
- Ohio State OVERS are 7-2-1 in last 10 games
- Illinois is 10-1 SU in last 11 games
- Illinois is 3-1-1 ATS in last 5 games
- Illinois OVERS are 4-1 in last 5 games
Free Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Ohio State Buckeyes NCAAB Prediction:
This is a great season finale matchup for the fans as two of the top teams in the nation will face off. Ohio State beat Illinois earlier in the year on the road but have slumping lately and do not look like the same team they were in the previous matchup. Illinois has got some momentum rolling especially after the beatdown they handed Michigan on Tuesday. However, I like the Buckeyes to complete the season sweep due to the fact that they need this win much more than Illinois does and Ayo Dosunmu remains out due to concussion protocols. Give me the points with Ohio State at home.
4* Free CBB Betting Pick: Ohio State
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