Ohio State vs. Illinois Prediction: Will Buckeyes keep winning?

Ohio State vs. Illinois Ohio State vs. Illinois

Unranked Ohio State heads to Champaign to face #18 Illinois on Sunday afternoon. The game is at 1:00 PM ET on CBS. Can Illinois cover the 6.5-point spread as home favorites? Keep reading for our Ohio State vs. Illinois prediction.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 13-8 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 13-8 ATS this season.

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 14-7 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 10-11 ATS this season.

Ohio State vs. Illinois Matchup & Betting Odds

821 Ohio State Buckeyes (+6.5) at 822 Illinois Fighting Illini (-6.5); o/u 154

1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, February 2, 2025

State Farm Center, Champaign, IL

TV: CBS

Ohio State vs. Illinois Public Betting Information

Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that 50% of public bettors are currently backing Ohio State when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.

Ohio State Buckeyes Game Notes

Buckeyes guard John Mobley Jr. stuffed the stat sheet in his team’s 83-64 win over Penn State on Thursday. The freshman from Reynoldsburg, OH recorded 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists across 35 minutes. Mobley shot 6 of 14 from the field and 3 of 8 from three-point range in the victory.

Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton also played well in his team’s game on Thursday. In 36 minutes of playing time, the 6’2” junior logged 17 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 5 made three-pointers. Thornton leads the team in scoring this season with 17.0 points per game.  

Illinois Fighting Illini Game Notes

Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis notched a double-double in his team’s 80-74 overtime loss to Nebraska on Thursday night. The 6’6” freshman from Lithuania registered 18 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal in 36 minutes. Jakucionis shot 6 of 15 from the floor and 3 of 4 from the foul line in the defeat.

Illinois forward Will Riley made an impact off the bench in his team’s game on Thursday. In 27 minutes of playing time, the 6’8” freshman accumulated 16 points, 4 rebounds, an assist, and 4 made three-pointers. Riley is averaging 10.4 points per game this season which ranks fourth on the team this year.

Ohio State is 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games against Illinois.

The Buckeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

Illinois is 3-5 ATS in their last 8 games overall.

Illinois is 4-7 ATS in conference games this season.

Ohio State vs. Illinois CBB Prediction:

These are two teams heading in opposite directions. Ohio State has been playing well over the past week and a half. Dating back to January 21st, the Buckeyes are 3-0 straight up and 3-0 against the spread with road wins over Purdue and Penn State sandwiched around a home win against Iowa. Ohio State appears to be on the upswing. The same can’t be said for Illinois.

The Fighting Illini are struggling. Since January 11th, Illinois is 2-4 straight up and 2-4 against the spread with losses to USC and Nebraska on their ledger. It doesn’t help that in Illinois’ last 5 home and neutral site games against Ohio State the Fighting Illini are just 1-4 against the spread. I like Ohio State’s chances to stay competitive throughout this contest, so I’m taking the Buckeyes and the points on the road in Champaign on Sunday afternoon. 

Ohio State vs. Illinois CBB Prediction: OHIO STATE BUCKEYES +6.5

AD BLOCKER DETECTED. We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads. Please support us by disabling these ad blockers.