ILLINOIS vs OHIO STATE

[Carpet]

Illinois travels to play The Ohio State University

Illinois coming off its worst offensive out put
since 1945last game vs Penn State a 38-33 game.

The Spread opens OSU -2.5 with the O/U 119.5

Thoughts on the Buckeyes

OSU is weak in rebounding, they have zero
inside strength, and the best player for them
is a turn over machine.

This looks like a must win game for OSU
to stop a 2 game slide and post a Win over
another good team for thier tourney hopes.

Thad Matta of OSU will play a Zone vs
Illinois.

Thoughts on Illinois

Illinois has not won at Ohio State since
2004, and the team just dont play well
on the road.

The big question is how to they respond
from last games offensive artic freeze?

Last game for Illinois Demetri Mccamey
the best guard was sick with the flu and
played sick and it showed

After the Penn game Coach Weber and
Trent Meechum Illinois guard went home
and watched replays of the game at 1am
The Coach watched the sunrise as he watched
films of that game all night.

Illinois had a brief but spirited practice today
and all players look healthy, Illinois usually
responds after a loss this year very positive
the next game.

With the Zone OSU plays there will be plenty
of space and soft spots for Illinois to find. Look
for Illinois big man 7-1 Tisdale to have a big
game. I know for a fact Illinois will pound down
into the big man every chance they get this game.

Its a early game for Illinois 12 central in
a hostile crowd, It is Demetri Mccameys birthday
Illinois guard and he always plays big in
big games.

Carpets Pick

This game is going to be a dog fight, the home
officials controlling the game, Illinois defense
will be there keeping Ohio State within striking
distance all game.

Illinois is a better basketball team, and match up
very well with OSU, I see overtime for this game

And factoring in the depth of Bench strength
which favors Illinois in a long drawn out affair

I am going to take Illinois and all the points
that can be found.

Good Luck all

Carpet

[garister]

I know you know the Illini better than anyone, but they layed the smack down on the buckeyes on Jan. 2oth and I think the Buckeyes get payback in a win in a close games as you stated.

[Carpet]

Illinois wins 70-68 and covers as predicted

Congrats to all who jumped onto the Carpet
for this game

Carpet

[garister]

Nice call. the result was never in doubt as Ohio never led in the game

[Carpet]

Thanks Garrister

The Illini never trailed in this game from tip
to buzzer.

To beat a zone requires pin point passing which
Illinois did, 23 assist on 28 baskets, the guards
accounted for 19 assist (outstanding)

Illinois shot 58% from the field and Inside
6-9 Mike Davis had a field day with 22 points and
8 boards. (OSU is very poor inside)
Illinois also shot 52% from the arc

The Zone was soft that OSU displayed but it
was the mid range shots that Illinois made
that hurt them on Defense.

Illinois always responds well after a loss, they
have not lost 2 in a row all year, and this was a huge
game for this team, winning at OSU for the first
time since 2004

The Illini are now 22-6 (last year 16-19) one
of the most improved teams from last year
in basketball.

Two Big games coming up this week
Minnesota on Thursday and Michigan State
Sunday both at home for Illinois

March 1st Michigan State comes calling the
Big 10 leader, the cream of the crop in the
Big 10 this year, I call it the "Show Down in
a Cornfield 2009"......more to follow

Coach Weber has done a wonderful job in
coaching this year, and the future is very bright
for Illinois basketball next couple years as the
talent comes in. Illinois has a top 10 recruiting
class for 2009 and a top 5 for 2010.

More to follow

Carpet