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Ohio State Basketball: Buckeyes vs. Illini, two teams on a roll

By Charlie Lockhart

BOISE, ID - MARCH 17: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts during the second half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID - MARCH 17: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts during the second half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Ohio State Buckeyes will try to extend their winning streak to four games against an Illinois team that is also on a roll.

The Ohio State basketball team will attempt to improve to 7-6 in the Big Ten against Illinois in Value City Arena tonight. Both teams are on a roll having won their last three games and four out of five.

Before the Buckeyes defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers on January 26 they were 2-5 in the Big Ten Conference and it appeared their NCAA Tournament hopes were almost gone. The fighting Illini  were 1-7 in the conference and 5-14 overall when they defeated the Maryland Terrapins that same day to begin their run.

What turned the fortunes of the two teams around? A look at how key players have performed the last five games will explain a lot.

Let’s first take a look at key contributors for Illinois:

  • Trent Frazier: The sophomore guard is leading the team in scoring for the season at 14.7 points per game but has averaged 16.2 the last five games. He has shot at least 50 percent from behind the arc four times and 43 percent in the other game. Frazier has scored at least 15 points three times and dropped 30 against Minnesota.
  • Ayo Dosunmu: He has upped his scoring by about a point to 15.0 and scored 24 in the win over Michigan State.
  • Giorgi Bezhanishvili: The 6-9 freshman forward has averaged 14.8 points per game, shot over 50 percent from the field four times and scored 35 in Saturday’s win over Rutgers.
  • Andres Feliz: He is averaging 10.6 points the last five games with a high of 15 in the win over Maryland.

Two players who aren’t filling up the stat sheets have proven they can be scoring threats as well. Forward Kipper Nichols scored 18 points against Nebraska and guard Tevian Jones matched that number against Maryland.

One thing is for certain, Illinois doesn’t lack for players who know how to put the ball in the basket.

Three key scorers for Ohio State players have improved their averages the last five games.

  • Luther Muhammad: 11.6 ppg vs. 10.1
  • Andre Wesson: 10.6 ppg vs. 8.8
  • C.J. Jackson: 13.2 ppg vs. 12.8

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You will notice Kaleb Wesson isn’t mentioned as one whose scoring has increased. He has only averaged 12.4 ppg the last five games in large part due to being in foul trouble nearly every time out.

But part of his lack of scoring is due to the fact other players have been more active on the offensive end. Perimeter players are now taking the ball to the basket more often which not only has increased scoring in the paint but has resulted in kickouts for open outside shots.

As a result the Ohio State offense has been diverse with more players involved. The big center is still an important cog in the offense but others are sharing the scoring load.

Tonight’s game promises to be a battle between two teams on a roll. It is an important game for the Buckeyes to keep in contention for an NCAA berth. The remainder of the schedule will be difficult so a win tonight to get above .500 in the Big Ten after the rough patch earlier would certainly be a plus.

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Game time is scheduled for 7:00 and will be shown on ESPN.

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