Scouting: Illinois @ Ohio St.

Posted February 20, 2011 11:00 pm

By Lindsey Willhite

Illinois (17-10, 7-7) at Ohio St. (25-2, 12-2)

When: 6 p.m. at Value City Arena

TV: ESPN

Net: ESPN3.com

Radio: WIND 560-AM

The skinny: If Illinois wants to ensure its spot in the NCAA Tournament, then becoming the first team to knock off the second-ranked Buckeyes at home ought to do the trick. The Illini enjoyed some success in their first meeting Jan. 22 in Champaign. They held an 8-point lead in the second half, but it withered away during a 14-0 Ohio State spree. “If we get an 8-point lead again, (we should) take good shots,” said Illini coach Bruce Weber. “And not let Deshaun Thomas take 2 open 3s.” Nonetheless, Illinois pulled within 3 points and had the ball with 15 seconds left, but Mike Tisdale was stripped in the lane after the Bucks denied all 3-point looks. OSU freshman Jared Sullinger went off for 27 points and 16 rebounds. In the intervening month, schools such as Purdue and Northwestern have enjoyed overall success by limiting the Sullinger double-teams and focusing on shutting down the other Bucks. Look for the Illini to emulate that strategy.

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