Sunday, January 1, 2017

State Farm Center

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The Ohio State Buckeyes travel to State Farm Center to play the Illinois Fighting Illini on Sunday, January 1, 2017.

The Buckeyes come into this game with an overall record of 10-3 and a road record of 1-1. They are 4-7 against the spread and their over/under record is 5-6. The Fighting Illini have an overall record of 10-4 and a home record of 7-1. They have an over/under record of 5-7 and they are 5-6 against the spread.

Jae'Sean Tate comes into this contest averaging 14.3 points per game while playing 32.2 minutes per night so far this season for the Buckeyes. He pulls down 6.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 56% while his free throw percentage is currently at 59%. Marc Loving averages 11.7 points per game in 32.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.9 assists per contest and 4.8 rebounds per game for Ohio State. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 69%.

Malcolm Hill averages 18.6 points per game while playing 32.7 minutes per contest this year for the Fighting Illini. He grabs 6.4 rebounds per game and has 2.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 79%. Tracy Abrams averages 11.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 25.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.9 rebounds per contest and 2.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is 80%.

Ohio State averages 75 points per contest this season which ranks them 119th in the nation. Their average scoring margin is 11.9 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team which has them ranked 25th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 261st in the country. They average 39.9 rebounds per game and 15.7 assists per game which ranks them 38th and 66th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 202nd with 14 per game. The Buckeyes allow 63.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the nation. They also allow a 38% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc ranking them 20th and 88th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 33.8 rebounds a game which ranks 82nd and they give up 11.8 assists per contest which puts them in 77th place in the country. They force 13.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 183rd in Division 1.

Illinois averages 75.8 points per game this year which ranks them 103rd in Division 1 college basketball. Their average scoring margin is 4 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them sitting in the 88th spot in the country. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 123rd in the nation. They average 36.7 rebounds per game and 12.5 assists per contest which ranks them 142nd and 225th respectively. In the turnover department the Fighting Illini rank 265th with 14.8 per game. The Fighting Illini allow 71.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 160th in the country. They also allow a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 157th and 128th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 32.5 rebounds a game which ranks 46th and they give up 11.6 assists per contest which puts them in 67th place in the nation. The Fighting Illini force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 214th in college basketball.

The Buckeyes average 70.7 points per game on the road this season and they have scored 76.3 ppg in their past 3 contests. They have an average scoring differential of -1.7 on the road and in their past 3 games their difference is 8.7 per contest. The Buckeyes have an offensive rating of 107.1 and they assist on 57.1% of their shots. In terms of pace they average 69.4 possessions per 40 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 54%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they shoot 3 pointers on 33% of their shots. Ohio State turns the ball over an average of 17.5 times per 100 possessions and they get a steal on 8.1% of their opponents possessions. Their total rebound percentage is 54.2% while their offensive rebound percentage is 30.9%. The Buckeyes give up 72.3 points per game on the road this season and they have surrendered 67.7 points per contest in their last 3 games.

The Fighting Illini score 84.9 ppg at home and they have averaged 69.7 points per contest in their last 3 games.They have an average scoring differential of -4.7 in their past 3 contests and at home this season they have a difference of 13 points per game. The Fighting Illini have a rating on offense of 107.5 and 49.5% of their shots are assisted. They possess the ball 72.2 times per 40 minutes and their effective field goal percentage for the year is 54%. As an offensive unit they have a true shooting percentage of 57% and they attempt 3 pointers on 36% of their shots. Illinois turns it over an average of 17.2 times per 100 possessions and they steal the ball on 7% of their opponents possessions. Their total rebound percentage is 53.2% while their offensive rebound percentage for the season is 30.8%. The Fighting Illini give up 71.9 points per contest at home this year and they have given up 74.3 points per game in their past 3 contests.

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Trends

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 4-7 against the spread

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 5-6 against the over/under

Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 5-6 against the spread

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 5-7 against the over/under

Ohio State Buckeyes Injuries

12/21/16 C Micah Potter Ankle "?" Thursday vs. NC Asheville

Illinois Fighting Illini Injuries

No key injuries to report

Josh's Pick: Take Illinois

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