Illinois vs Ohio State Predictions, College Basketball Expert Picks 3/5/2020

Game: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Ohio State Buckeyes

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2020

Location: Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus, OH

TV: ESPN, ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: Ohio State -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 131.5

The Illinois Fighting Illini travel to Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center to play the Ohio State Buckeyes on Thursday, March 5, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Ohio State as 6.5 point favorites.

Illinois heads into this matchup with a mark of 20-9. They currently have a point differential of 7.6 as they are averaging 72.3 points per contest while giving up 64.7 per game. Ohio State has an overall record of 20-9. They are averaging 72.2 points per game and surrendering 62.3, good for a point differential of 9.9.

Valuable Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 14-13-1 against the spread

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 11-16-1 against the over/under

Important Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Trends

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 17-11-1 against the spread

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 12-17-0 against the over/under

Key Illinois Fighting Illini Injuries

01/22/20 F Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk Leg is out indefinitely

Key Ohio State Buckeyes Injuries

11/05/19 G Musa Jallow Ankle is out for season
03/04/20 F Kyle Young Ankle is questionable Thursday vs Illinois
03/04/20 F Alonzo Gaffney Illness is questionable Thursday vs Illinois
01/31/20 G D.J. Carton Academics is out indefinitely
01/15/20 F Justice Sueing Foot is out for season

Player Spotlight

Kofi Cockburn averages 13.6 points per game in 27.6 minutes per contest. He averages 0.6 assists per contest and 9.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 53% for the year while his free throw percentage is 67%. Ayo Dosunmu comes into this contest averaging 16.4 points per game while playing 33.2 minutes per night. He pulls down 4.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is at 77%.

Player Spotlight

Duane Washington Jr. averages 11.4 points per game and he sees the court an average of 24.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.7 rebounds per contest and 1.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 82%. Kaleb Wesson averages 14.0 points per game while playing 29.3 minutes per contest. He grabs 9.6 rebounds per game and has 2.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 72%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Fighting Illini allow 64.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 52nd in Division 1. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 85th and 186th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.8 rebounds a game which ranks 42nd, and they give up 11.1 assists per contest which puts them in 61st place in the NCAA. They force 11.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 48th in the nation. Illinois averages 72.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 136th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 7.6 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 148th. Behind the arc they shoot 31% which is good for 284th in D-1. They average 40.1 rebounds per game and 13.1 assists per contest, which ranks them 16th and 176th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 257th with 12.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Buckeyes surrender 62.3 points per contest, which ranks them 15th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 39% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 18th and 174th in those defensive statistics. They rank 40th with 10.7 assists allowed per contest, and 30th with 31.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Buckeyes are 93rd in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 12.3 per game. Ohio State is 141st in the country with 72.2 points per game this year. They are 129th in the D-1 in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 9.9. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 16th in the nation. They are 98th in the country in rebounding with 37.0 boards per game and 134th in assists per contest with 13.6. The Buckeyes are 200th in turnovers per game with 12.9.

Advanced Statistics

The Fighting Illini have an offensive rating of 106.3, which is ranked 80th. They are 254th in college basketball in pace with 67.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 232nd. As a unit they are 206th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 310th in D-1. Illinois is 270th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.2 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Ohio State is 145th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.8 times per 100 possessions. The Buckeyes are 48th in the country in offensive rating with 108. In terms of pace they are 290th in Division 1 with 66.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 52nd. As a team they are 35th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shots, ranking 65th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Illinois/Ohio State college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Ohio State -6.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here