We are blessed with another loaded CBB slate today, with plenty of ranked opponents getting active on the hardwood. The best game of the night takes place in Columbus, Ohio, between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Ohio State Buckeyes. The 13th-ranked team in the country hits the road to face off against Ohio State after a big win against Tennessee. Will the Fighting Illini win two straight road games against respectable opponents, or will the Buckeyes pull off the upset at home on Tuesday night?

In the shadow of Value City Arena, tonight's Big Ten clash pits a surging Ohio State squad against No. 13 Illinois, with the Buckeyes getting +4.5 points on the spread. Don't let the Illini's ranking fool you—OSU's home dominance, scorching efficiency, and sneaky ATS trends scream value on the home dog. At 7-1 overall and 1-0 in conference, Ohio State is a live underdog ready to keep this game within one possession. Let's break down why the Buckeyes cover in the game of the night tonight…

First off, let’s talk about the Buckeyes’ success at home. Ohio State has won six straight at home, torching foes with a 113-60 demolition of Mount St. Mary's last outing and an 86-82 nail-biter over Northwestern in their Big Ten opener (on the road). The Value City crowd hasn't seen a loss since last March, now 6-0 at home this season. Illinois? They're 7-2 but this will be their first true road game of the season. They will have their hands full against a scrappy Buckeyes team tonight.

Efficiency gives Ohio State an edge in this contest. The Buckeyes boast a nation-leading 61% effective field goal percentage, blistering defenses with balanced scoring from John Mobley Jr. (14 PPG, 26 vs. Mount St. Mary's) and Devin Royal (13.4 PPG off the bench). Bruce Thornton's playmaking (4.3 APG) exploits mismatches, and OSU's 3-point volume (top-25 nationally) could exploit Illinois' middling perimeter D, which ranks 112th in opponent FG% at 52.8%. Illinois counters with Kylan Boswell (18.5 PPG) and Zvonimir Ivisic (16 points, +17 vs. Tennessee), but their offense struggled on the road at times last season. OSU's defense, allowing just 66.3 PPG, has held four of eight opponents under 60—perfect for grinding out a low-possession affair. 

Ohio State has struggled in this matchup over the years, with Illinois winning four of the last five, including a 77-74 thriller in the 2024 tourney. But those were mostly in neutral or road spots for OSU; at home, they've covered in five of seven vs. the Illini. Recent trends favor the underdog: Ohio State is 3-1 ATS in their last four games, playing some inspired basketball with plenty of star power. Expect Bruce Thornton to shine once again, leading this team to a potential outright victory against this ranked Illinois squad.

The public is all over Illinois in this spot, but sharp action favors OSU +4.5 at (-110). Home underdogs of less than 10 points with winning records facing off against a ranked opponent have been extremely profitable over the years, and this is another smash spot. Fade the hype on Underwood's new-look squad; Ohio State's resilience, star power and home mojo make them the sharpest side of the night. Lock in the Buckeyes at +4.5 for a statement win that shakes up the Big Ten early-on this season.