This could be a key moment in Ohio State's season.
The 20th-ranked Buckeyes, who will likely fall out of the AP Top 25 come Monday, lost their Big Ten opener Tuesday at home against Iowa. It was Ohio State's third loss of the season as it currently sits at 11-3 on the year.
| WHO | WHERE | WHEN | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois (10-4) | Schottenstein Center | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
But the Buckeyes have yet to really beat a quality opponent. Their only win over a team from a major conference was the 74-63 win against Marquette way back on Nov. 18.
The good news for Ohio State is that its non-conference schedule is over and it can focus solely on Big Ten play. This afternoon, the Buckeyes welcome Illinois to the Schottenstein Center as both teams are searching for their first win in the Big Ten.
Ohio State simply can't afford to fall to 0-2 in league play to start the conference season.
Opponent Breakdown
The Fighting Illini (10-4) started off the season quite hot winning their first six games. But since then, Illinois has went just .500 at 4-4.
Illinois had won three straight leading up to its Big Ten opener, a streak which included a three-point win over Missouri, but the Illini fell to Michigan at the start of the conference season in overtime, 73-65.
Illinois has one of the better players in the Big Ten in guard Rayvonte Rice, who comes into today's matchup averaging 17.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 46 percent on the season from 3-point range.
But Rice's teammate in the backcourt, sophomore guard Malcolm Hill, also gives the Illini another scoring option. He has put out per-game averages of 13.4 points and 5.8 rebounds while also shooting it at 40-plus percent from downtown.
This Illini team is a well-balanced unit offensively in terms of scoring. In addition to Rice and Hill, Illinois has four other guys who average at least 7.5 points per game. The Illini also shoot it at a decent clip from 3-point range, shooting nearly 38 percent as a team.
Buckeye Breakdown
There's been a common theme in all three of Ohio State's losses this season: The Buckeyes fall behind early in the first half and dig themselves too big of a hole to get out of.
It happened when Ohio State trailed Louisville by 17 at halftime. It trailed North Carolina by 12 at the break in that loss and most recently, against Iowa, the Buckeyes found themselves down 12 at the half, as well.
In all three of those games, Ohio State has outplayed its opponent, for the most part, in the second half. But the Buckeyes' slow starts have truly been their downfall in those three losses.
Another common theme in those three losses has been the poor play of D'Angelo Russell. The freshman guard from Louisville has been spectacular for Ohio State in its 11 wins, but in its three losses Russell has gone just 14 for 53 from the field and 4 for 24 from 3-point range. When he plays poorly, Ohio State has trouble winning.
How It'll Play Out
Ohio State knows it can't afford another slow start and it certainly can't afford to go 0-2 in the Big Ten. If the Buckeyes truly want to compete for a Big Ten title — though it's likely Wisconsin will win it easily — they need to beat the Illini today.
Head coach Thad Matta should have his team ready to go today. He and his coaching staff know how critical it will be for Ohio state to start this game fast.
Illinois' guards shoot the ball well from the outside, which will be an interesting dynamic against Ohio State's zone, but Matta showed some man-to-man defense toward the end of the loss to the Hawkeyes. Expect the Buckeyes to start out in that zone again, but Illinois has a pair of guards who might shoot it well enough to make Matta change his mind.
Ohio State and Illinois are fairly even rebounding teams, so if there's a decisive advtange on the glass, that could play a big factor, as well.
Note: Ohio State's football team will be honored at today's basketball game for its 42-35 win in the Sugar Bowl over Alabama. The fourth-ranked Buckeyes will take on No. 2 Oregon on Jan. 12 for the national championship.
