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Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Analysis (01/24/23)

It’s been a tough January for Ohio State and head coach Chris Holtmann.  Since he arrived in 2017-18, Holtmann has been solid but not great.  He has put the Buckeyes in the last four NCAA Tournaments.  But he has not advanced past the second March Madness betting round.  Now, Holtmann is starting to feel the heat.  Ohio State is on the bubble for the Big Dance.  And the Buckeyes are getting outclassed in Big Ten Conference play.  The program is now owned lock, stock, and barrel by Holtmann.  Consider the recruits and culture of predecessor Thad Matta are long.

CBB Betting:  Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Information

Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Time: 6:09 p.m. ET
Location: State Farm Center, Champaign, Illinois
TV Coverage: TBD

Ohio State vs. Illinois CashBet Wagering Analysis  

Illinois will get the majority of top Online Sportsbook as the quality home team.  In comparison, sharps will consider Ohio State as a decent team that could be getting more points than it should.  

Buckeyes Not Giving Bang for the Buck

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 11-8 straight up, 8-11 against the spread, and 11-8 over/under the 2023 March Madness Betting total.  Overall, Ohio State has national rankings of 52nd for scoring offense, 45th for field goal percentage, 17th for 3-point field goal percentage, 71st for free throw percentage, and 25th for offensive rebounding.  While on defense, Ohio State has national rankings of 109th for scoring defense, 48th for field goal percentage permitted, 43rd for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 133rd for defensive rebounding.

Late on, Ohio State paid in only one of its previous six games.  The Buckeyes stayed under the total in three of their last four tilts.  Brice Sensabaugh leads OSU with 17.5 points per game.

Last week’s loss at Nebraska caught the attention of fans and gamblers for all the wrong reasons.  While Nebraska is improved, it is not a strong program.  And it is a program that Ohio State is expected to roll anytime they meet.  Following the debacle in Lincoln, the Buckeyes responded with a resounding win over the Iowa Hawkeyes.  That game could prove to be a pivotal moment in Ohio State’s season.

Chris Holtmann is reaping the benefit of coaching at a football powerhouse.  If Holtmann were coaching at a basketball blue blood, he’d likely be fired by now.

Illini Regains Fighting Spirit

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 13-6 straight up, 11-8 against the spread, and 9-9 over/under the bet on NCAA basketball total.  Overall, Illinois has national rankings of 79th for scoring offense, 110th for field goal percentage, 227th for 3-point field goal percentage, 331st for free throw percentage, and 31st for offensive rebounding.  While defense, Illinois has national rankings of 56th for scoring defense, 41st for field goal percentage permitted, 83rd for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 114th for defensive rebounding.

Illinois got the money in four of its previous five games.  Only one of those games stayed under the total.  Namely, Terrence Shannon Jr leads Illinois with 18.1 points per game.  The Fighting Illini remains in the middle of the pack of the Big Ten Conference race.

Following a rough month of poor play, the Illinois Fighting Illini is starting to click.  It is no surprise that the Illini would begin to figure things out.  Cause by the strong coaching of Brad Underwood.  It was Underwood that took over a strong historic brand that was underachieving.  While it took longer than normal, Underwood transformed the Fighting Illini into a perennial March Madness contender.  Most important of all, Illinois has reclaimed its betting value.  In fact, the Fighting Illini are showing a profit for the season.

Ohio State vs. Illinois CashBet Free Pick   

As was previously noted, Ohio State should be an enhanced 2023 March Madness Betting value.  Illinois is too popular with the masses.  

Ohio State vs. Illinois CashBet Best Bet  

Illinois Fighting Illini

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