No. 7 Ohio State (-7.5) vs. Illinois Point Spread Picks

It wasn't easy, but Ohio State (25-7, 16-15 ATS) made it to the Big Ten semifinal. The Buckeyes needed a miracle three-pointer to topple Michigan 69-68 on Friday. It was the fifth straight win by Ohio State-part of a 12-1 run-but it failed to cover as a nine-point favorite. That drops the Buckeyes to just 5-5 against the spread in their past 10 games on college basketball odds.

The Buckeyes got past Michigan by the skin of their teeth. Star player Evan Turner (19.5 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 5.8 APG on the year) drained a 37-foot bomb as time expired to seal the victory. Turner suffered through a miserable 1-8 shooting performance in the second half, but he finished with 18 points and eight rebounds on the afternoon. Guard William Bufford, second on the team in scoring at 14.3 points per game, chipped in with 15 points. Another guard, Jon Diebler, scored 15 of his own.

Illinois (19-13, 12-17 ATS) skidded into the Big Ten tourney with five losses in their last six games, including a 72-57 meltdown against Wisconsin in the regular season finale. The Illini got payback on Friday when they topped the Badgers 58-54 despite being an 8.5-point underdog. It snapped a three-game losing streak against the spread and improved Illinois to 5-5 on college basketball in its last 10 games.

Center Mike Tisdale was the star for Illinois on Friday. Tisdale averaged 11.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season (both second on the team) but dialled up his play a few notches, finishing with 21 points and eight boards. Demetri McCamey, who paces Illinois with 14.9 points per game on the year, finished with 13 against the Badgers. Although the Fighting Illini didn't need a buzzer-beater to finish off its opponent, the game was just as much in doubt; Wisconsin missed a three in the dying seconds of the game and Illinois rebounded to ensure a victory.

Ohio State and Illinois have met twice this season, with the Buckeyes winning and covering both. Ohio State has won seven of its last 10 meetings with the Illini, though it's closer on college basketball odds-the Buckeyes have a 6-4 edge ATS in the past 10 meetings between these teams. The total has gone under in four of the past five games between Ohio State and Illinois. Bodog has the total set at 128.

Game Prediction

Illinois shot over 50% from the floor in their upset win over Wisconsin. Thta won't happen today against the Buckeyes. Take Ohio State -7.5