The Illinois Fighting Illini and Ohio State Buckeyes will meet in a clash between two Big Ten foes separated by only one game in the standings. Ohio State has ascended as of late, winning three in a row while Illinois is struggling amid the absence of big man Tomislav Ivisic, losing four of six.
Our Illinois vs. Ohio State prediction looks at whether the Fighting Illini can pull it out. Check out our best bets as we’ll decipher through the spread, total, and money line bets.
Illinois vs. Ohio State Betting Preview
All Illinois vs. Ohio State odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are correct as of Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025.
- Spread
Illinois -6.5 - CSN Spread
Illinois -5.5 - Moneyline
Illinois -265, Ohio State +215 - Over/Under
153.5 points - Game Time
Sunday, Feb. 2, 1:00 ET - Location
State Farm Center | Champaign, IL - How To Watch
CBS
Illinois is 10-11 ATS on the season, including 4-7 in Big Ten play. As the home favorite, they’ve covered in seven of 11 games. Favored in each of their last three outings, they’ve covered only once — a -8 line in a game that the Fighting Illini won by nine points.
The over has hit in 12 of 21 games on the season for Illinois, with seven of 11 in conference play hitting the over. Four of their last six games have gone over — yet all six would’ve gone over the listed line of 153.5 against the Buckeyes.
Ohio State is 13-8 ATS, covering in five of eight games as an underdog. The Buckeyes have outright won four of those matchups. Two of those upset wins have come in their past three games.
The under has been the correct play in 12 of 22 games for Ohio State on the season, including seven of 10 in Big Ten games.
Illinois vs. Ohio State CSN Power Rankings Line
Our rankings metric line of Illinois -5.5 suggests this matchup will be a tad closer than the sports books may predict. Illinois has fallen six spots in our power rankings as of late, slotting at No. 26. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes have soared up nine spots to No. 55.
Even though the game will take place on the Fighting Illini’s home court, this all indicates there’s value in taking Ohio State +6.5.
Prediction for Illinois vs. Ohio State
The absence of 7’1″ Illinois center Tomislav Ivisic has corresponded with two losses in the Fighting Illini’s last three games. The second-leading scorer and leading rebounder is reportedly questionable for Sunday’s matchup; yet there’s not a ton of optimism after being diagnosed with mononucleosis.
Lead guard and freshman sensation Kasparas Jakucionis has helped out on the boards but has struggled with his shot, hitting only four of his last 19 three-pointers.
Bruce Thornton, leading scorer for the Buckeyes at 17.0 ppg, has scored in double-figures in 11 straight outings.
I expect Thornton and the Buckeyes to have their way offensively with Ivisic highly unlikely to make a difference. Jukucionis is bound to find his shot at some point — with his and Illinois’ back against the wall, there’s no better time than this.
The over of 153.5 points is good value, especially considering each of the Fighting Illini’s last six games have gone over that figure.
Ohio State has been hot as of late, and I like that trend to continue in Champaign on Sunday.
Our rankings metric leans toward the Buckeyes’ +6.5 having value, and I’d take that as well. Unless Illinois can show the consistent ability of covering, it’d be a smart choice to go with the team that’s trending up in this matchup.
Take the +6.5 for even odds. +215 for an outright win — which has paid off in the last two Buckeyes’ outings as underdogs — is a solid gamble as well.
Prediction: Ohio State 79, Illinois 75
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