Scarlet and Game
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Illinois game is a must-win for Ohio State basketball

By Ryan Stano

Ohio State Buckeyes forward Kyle Young (25) rests momentarily after failing to collect a rebound during Sunday's NCAA Division I Big Ten conference basketball game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on February 28, 2021. Iowa won the game 73-57.Osu Mens Bbk 2 28 Bjp 23
Ohio State Buckeyes forward Kyle Young (25) rests momentarily after failing to collect a rebound during Sunday's NCAA Division I Big Ten conference basketball game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on February 28, 2021. Iowa won the game 73-57.Osu Mens Bbk 2 28 Bjp 23 /
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After losing three straight games, the Ohio State basketball team needs to beat Illinois if they want to have any hope of grabbing a number one seed.

The Ohio State basketball team has lost three straight games, albeit to pretty good teams. The problem is that if you’re supposed to be an elite team, you don’t lose these games. Ohio State is still looking to prove that they are truly an elite team.

Beating Illinois is mandatory if they are truly an elite team. They play the Illini on Sunday in their only game of the week. Illinois has to play Michigan tonight in advance of the Ohio State game. Illinois is currently poised to grab the final one seed in the NCAA Tournament.

If the Buckeyes want any chance of grabbing a one seed, they have to win this game. Not only would it stop their terrible slide, but it would send a message to the rest of the country that the Buckeyes can in fact beat some of the best teams in the country on any given night.

Ohio State needs to figure some things out before Sunday, mainly their ball movement. I truly believe that this game will show us Ohio State’s ceiling later this month. A win means that they truly need to be taken seriously. A loss means they would need an absolutely perfect draw to do anything.

Chris Holtmann will tell you that his team will play better with some rest. His team has been banged up a bit, especially Kyle Young and Musa Jallow. Young should be healthier coming back from his concussion and it can further rest his legs. Same goes for Seth Towns and his knee.

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I’m not sure just rest will fix what is wrong with this team. If the ball movement doesn’t improve, this team will lose its fourth straight contest.

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