NCAA Basketball Betting – Big Ten Semifinal Battle Features Illinois vs. Ohio State
The Ohio State Buckeyes will look to beat the Illinois Fighting Illini for the third time this season and advance to the Big Ten Championship game on Sunday when they take to the court for battle at Conseco Fieldhouse today at 1:40 PM ET.
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Saturday, March 13, 1:40 PM ET
NCAAB Betting Odds: Ohio St. -7
TV: CBS
Illinois Fighting Illini (19-13 SU, 13-18 ATS)
Ohio State Buckeyes (25-7 SU, 16-16 ATS)
Illinois 411
Fighting Illini are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games following an ATS win.
Fighting Illini are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 Saturday games.
Fighting Illini are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games. 
Illinois snapped a three-game SU and ATS losing streak in its 58-54 upset win over Wisconsin in their Big Ten quarterfinal contest on Friday.
Mike Tisdale scored a team-high 21 points and added seven rebounds to help the Fighting Illini cover the college basketball betting odds as 8-point underdogs and move to a respectable 3-3 ATS over its last six games.
Ohio State 411
Buckeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Buckeyes are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 neutral site games.
Buckeyes are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Saturday games.
Ohio State has won five straight games and was lifted to a thrilling 69-68 last-second victory over Michigan in their quarterfinal matchup on Friday.
Big Ten Player of the Year, Evan Turner scored a team-high 18 points and dished out eight assists – while nailing the game-winning three-pointer from 40 feet out like it was nothing. The Buckeyes failed to cover the college basketball betting odds as 9-point favorites to fall to 1-2 ATS over the last three games.
Analysis: I know the Ohio State Buckeyes have spanked the Fighting Illini twice this season, winning both regular season meeting by at least 16 points, but after watching both teams yesterday, I’m thinking Illinois has an excellent chance to cover the college basketball betting odds this time around.
This game has the classic look of a ‘last possession’ kind of contest, which is why I like Illinois to cover the spread against Ohio State despite their two regular season blowout losses.
I know the majority of the key trends for this matchup point toward an Ohio State win and ATS victory, but I believe this game will turn out to be another March Madness thriller that comes down to the final one or two possessions of the game.
NCAAB Expert Picks: Illinois +7 Points
