Illinois basketball: 3 ways the Illini can take down Ohio State

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – MARCH 01: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates after a three point basket during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at State Farm Center on March 1, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

The Illinois basketball team is set to face the Ohio State Buckeyes on Thursday night, which is the first meeting this season between the two teams.

The Fighting Illini come into this game with a 20-9 overall record and 12-6 in the Big Ten. Ohio State enters this game with a 20-9 overall record and 10-8 in the Big Ten. Both teams are also ranked with Illinois checking in at No. 23 and the Buckeyes at No.19.

Illinois is currently riding a four-game winning streak, but Ohio State also comes into the game riding a three-game winning streak. This game means a lot to this Illinois basketball team. We are still projected to be the No. 8 seed in the Midwest region based on ESPN’s bracketology. This game could move Illinois up in the AP poll and in projected tournament seeding.

A win in this game would mean a lot. I believe Illinois is a lock for the tournament after they beat Indiana on Sunday. But it is always good to move up in projected seeding if possible. A win would definitely boost them since it will give them a quad-one win and would make them 6-7 versus quad-one teams.

Illinois is battling for a chance to remain in the Big Ten title race on Thursday as well. If they win Thursday, they will have a chance to be the Big Ten regular-season champion. This is one of the biggest games for the Illini in a long time.

Without further ado, here are three ways the Illini can take down Ohio State.

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