Scarlet and Game
Fansided

Ohio State basketball needs to finish strong vs. Illinois

By Ryan Stano

Ohio State Buckeyes forward Justin Ahrens (10) and Ohio State Buckeyes guard Musa Jallow (2) celebrate after Jallow blocked a shot by Iowa Hawkeyes forward Patrick McCaffery (22) during Sunday's NCAA Division I Big Ten conference basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on February 28, 2021. Iowa won the game 73-57.Osu Mens Bbk 2 28 Bjp 28
Ohio State Buckeyes forward Justin Ahrens (10) and Ohio State Buckeyes guard Musa Jallow (2) celebrate after Jallow blocked a shot by Iowa Hawkeyes forward Patrick McCaffery (22) during Sunday's NCAA Division I Big Ten conference basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on February 28, 2021. Iowa won the game 73-57.Osu Mens Bbk 2 28 Bjp 28 /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Ohio State basketball team plays Illinois today at 4 pm on ESPN. It’s a game that they need to win to restore some credibility.

The Ohio State basketball team has hit a skid. Losing three games straight is never fun at any point in the year, but it’s especially not fun right before the Big Ten Tournament. This is the time of year that they need to be playing their best basketball.

Chris Holtmann will have one last shot to right the ship against a really good Illinois team. Right now, the Illini are riding high after they destroyed Michigan earlier in the week. They beat them 76-53 even without their best player, Ayo Dosunmu.

It’s unclear whether or not Dosunmu has cleared concussion protocol and will be available for today’s game. We will learn that closer to tip-off. The Buckeyes need to act like he is going to play. They have to be prepared for every possible scenario if they want to end their slide.

Chris Holtmann’s squad has had a week to rest up and get their bodies and minds right. Holtmann should have a handle on what his team’s problem is and should have a better gameplan for today’s game. They need to because they need to show that they can beat an elite team.

Today is also Senior Day. It will be the last game for C.J. Walker, as he has indicated that he will not use his extra year to come back. Kyle Young still has a shot to come back, but he has not said what he is going to do yet. He will participate in the festivities as well just in case.

Game Prediction: Ohio State 77 Illinois 74

I have to believe that the Buckeyes will right the ship today. Holtmann is too good of a coach to let this am limp to the finish line. The players are too talented to keep in check for this long too. I would expect Justin Ahrens to reappear after three straight games of being invisible.

Next. Big Ten Presidents hid communication from the public. dark

Look for him to get open early in this game. If he can get open and hit shots, the Buckeyes have a chance to finally end their slide. Illinois is projected as the final one seed. If Ohio State wins, they have a shot to grab that last one seed.

Home/Ohio State Basketball