Ohio State (13-8, 5-3)
All-time: 104-75 (last meeting: 73-75 in Columbus)
Tip-off: 8 pm
TV: Big Ten Network
Illinois started its conference season with a trip to THE Ohio State University and left Columbus with a narrow loss, 75-73. The Buckeyes got past the Illini with a big performance from Marc Loving and Keita Bates-Diop commanded the post and JaQuan Lyle setting up the offense. Where they had struggled to mesh against nonconference foes, OSU gelled against the Illini and prevailed.
Losing on the road by a single possession is not a bad outcome for the Illini, but since that game things have not been consistent. So, it remains to be seen what can be expected of the hosts. In the previous win (76-71 over Minnesota in overtime), Illinois was without Mike Thorne Jr. again but did well in the post because Maverick Morgan had the best game of his career; nine days ago at Indiana, however, Illinois shot roughly 250 times and only found the net 22 times, not to mention losing in the post again.
Consistency is obviously what Illinois needs. That means Morgan in Minnesota not Morgan literally in any other game; it means Kendrick Nunn has to find his groove again; it means Michael Finke has to find his comfort zone on the floor and continue giving his all. Beyond those three, Malcolm Hill has been consistent and I’d expect nothing less, and Thorne is going to be a gametime decision, so anything from him would be icing. Solid, if not great, play from these core guys and a good game plan, like we saw against Purdue (and which could easily be gained from head-to-head experience in the current season), and Illinois could get above .500 again. The Buckeyes have only won against underwhelming opposition lately (only beating Rutgers and Penn State in their last 5 games), so there’s a chance for Illinois to prove it is not a bottom-feeder this season.
Probable starting lineups
Ohio State: JaQuan Lyle, guard; Keita Bates-Diop, forward; Jae’Sean Tate, forward; Marc Loving, forward; Daniel Giddens, center
Illinois: Jaylon Tate, guard; Kendrick Nunn, guard; Malcolm Hill, guard; Michael Finke, forward; Maverick Morgan, center
Gut feeling
Honestly, everything my gut tells me is that Maverick Morgan is not a great basketball player. I mean, he’s shown very little ability to use his size and strength while he’s been with the Illini–until the Minnesota game, that is. Now my gut says Morgan is still a bad player, but that maybe, just maybe, he’s turning a corner and could have another good game against OSU. Adam Fletcher, the team’s new strength and conditioning coach, seems to have some faith in him, and my gut is kinda sorta okay going along with it.