Illinois Defeats Ohio State in Close Contest
Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 7:30 PM ET · Schottenstein Center
Illinois Fighting Illini 88, Ohio State Buckeyes 80, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
The next free pick, for your email
Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.
or by email
Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick
One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.
Quick answers
Who won Illinois Fighting Illini vs Ohio State Buckeyes?
Illinois Fighting Illini beat Ohio State Buckeyes 88-80 at Schottenstein Center on December 9, 2025.
Who was favored in Illinois Fighting Illini vs Ohio State Buckeyes?
Illinois Fighting Illini were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -162 (about 62% implied). The favorite won.
In a thrilling matchup at the Schottenstein Center, the Illinois Fighting Illini emerged victorious over the Ohio State Buckeyes with a final score of 88-80. This game was particularly noteworthy as it showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with Illinois improving its record to 9-2, while Ohio State fell to 7-3. The victory marked Illinois' second consecutive win, following a triumph against the Tennessee Volunteers just days prior.
Both teams entered the game with solid recent form. Ohio State had a record of 7-3 over their last ten games, with an average of 83.7 points scored and 69.6 points allowed. They had been particularly strong at home, boasting a home record of 6-1. Their last five games showed a record of 4-1, with an average of 84.0 points scored and 66.0 points allowed. In contrast, Illinois also held a 7-3 record in their last ten games, averaging 86.3 points scored and 71.2 points allowed. Their away record stood at 1-2, but they had just secured a win against Tennessee, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure.
The matchup was also significant as it was a rematch of a previous encounter earlier in the season, where Illinois had defeated Ohio State 87-79. This added an extra layer of intensity to the game, as Ohio State sought to avenge their earlier loss. However, they were unable to turn the tide in this contest, despite a strong effort.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any key players missing from either lineup, suggesting both teams were at full strength for this important game.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, favored Illinois with a spread of 3.5 points. The total points line was set at 162.5, indicating expectations for a high-scoring affair. Illinois was given a moneyline of -162, while Ohio State was at +136, reflecting the competitive nature of the matchup.
The game conditions were typical for a December evening in Ohio, with both teams playing in front of a lively crowd at the Schottenstein Center. Fans were treated to an exciting display of basketball, with both teams showcasing their offensive capabilities.
Key moments in the game included crucial free throws by Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic, which helped Illinois maintain their lead in the second half. Ohio State's Bruce Thornton also made significant contributions with layups, but it was not enough to close the gap as the game progressed.
Overall, the game highlighted the strengths of both teams, with Illinois demonstrating their ability to execute under pressure and Ohio State showing resilience despite the defeat. As the season continues, both teams will look to build on this performance as they aim for success in the NCAAB landscape.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | ILL -3.5 | 162.5 o -110 / u -110 | Illinois Fighting Illini -162 · Ohio State Buckeyes +136 |
Leaders
- PointsBruce Thornton34Ohio State Buckeyes
- AssistsBruce Thornton6Ohio State Buckeyes
- ReboundsChristoph Tilly8Ohio State Buckeyes
- PointsKeaton Wagler23Illinois Fighting Illini
- AssistsKeaton Wagler5Illinois Fighting Illini
- ReboundsDavid Mirkovic9Illinois Fighting Illini
Recent form
Ohio State Buckeyes
Last 10: 7-3Streak W183.7 scored · 69.6 allowed per game6-1 at home
- W86-82at Northwestern WildcatsDec 6
- L66-67at Pittsburgh PanthersNov 29
- W113-60vs Mount St. Mary's MountaineersNov 25
- W91-58vs Western Michigan BroncosNov 21
- W64-63vs Notre Dame Fighting IrishNov 16
- W75-53vs App State MountaineersNov 11
- W94-68vs Purdue Fort Wayne MastodonsNov 7
- W118-102vs IU Indianapolis JaguarsNov 3
- L70-77vs Iowa HawkeyesMar 12
- L60-66at Indiana HoosiersMar 8
Illinois Fighting Illini
Last 10: 7-3Streak W186.3 scored · 71.2 allowed per game1-2 away
- W75-62at Tennessee VolunteersDec 7
- L61-74at UConn HuskiesNov 28
- W87-73vs UT Rio Grande Valley VaquerosNov 25
- W98-58vs Long Island University SharksNov 22
- L86-90vs Alabama Crimson TideNov 20
- W84-65vs Colgate RaidersNov 15
- W81-77vs Texas Tech Red RaidersNov 12
- W113-70vs Florida Gulf Coast EaglesNov 8
- W113-55vs Jackson State TigersNov 4
- L65-88at Maryland TerrapinsMar 14
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 37-3 | - | 19-1 |
| Nebraska | 28-7 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Michigan State | 27-8 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Illinois | 28-9 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Wisconsin | 24-11 | 5 | 14-6 |
| Purdue | 30-9 | 6 | 13-7 |
| UCLA | 24-12 | 6 | 13-7 |
| Ohio State | 21-13 | 7 | 12-8 |
| Iowa | 24-13 | 9 | 10-10 |
| Indiana | 18-14 | 10 | 9-11 |
| Minnesota | 15-18 | 11 | 8-12 |
| USC | 18-14 | 12 | 7-13 |
| Washington | 16-17 | 12 | 7-13 |
| Rutgers | 14-20 | 13 | 6-14 |
| Northwestern | 15-19 | 14 | 5-15 |
| Oregon | 12-20 | 14 | 5-15 |
| Maryland | 12-21 | 15 | 4-16 |
| Penn State | 12-20 | 16 | 3-17 |
Box score
| Stat | Illinois Fighting Illini | Ohio State Buckeyes |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 24-54 | 28-61 |
| Field goal % | 44 | 46 |
| Three-pointers | 11-27 | 9-28 |
| Three-point % | 41 | 32 |
| Free throws | 29-32 | 15-21 |
| Free throw % | 91 | 71 |
| Rebounds | 37 | 30 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 7 |
| Defensive rebounds | 28 | 23 |
| Assists | 12 | 11 |
| Steals | 0 | 3 |
| Blocks | 3 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 6 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 8 | 10 |
| Fast-break points | 4 | 12 |
| Points in the paint | 24 | 34 |
| Fouls | 21 | 27 |
| Largest lead | 10 | 3 |
| Lead changes | 3 | 3 |
| Time in front | 87 | 8 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half60-55Andrej Stojakovic made Layup.
- 2nd Half61-55Zvonimir Ivisic made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half61-56Devin Royal made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half61-57Devin Royal made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half61-58John Mobley Jr. made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half64-58Keaton Wagler made Three Point Jumper.
- 2nd Half65-58David Mirkovic made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half66-58David Mirkovic made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half66-60Devin Royal made Jumper.
- 2nd Half66-62Bruce Thornton made Jumper.
- 2nd Half67-62Andrej Stojakovic made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half68-62Andrej Stojakovic made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half68-63Bruce Thornton made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half68-64Bruce Thornton made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half69-64Andrej Stojakovic made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half70-64Andrej Stojakovic made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half71-64Keaton Wagler made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half71-65John Mobley Jr. made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half71-66Christoph Tilly made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half73-66Andrej Stojakovic made Jumper.
- 2nd Half73-68Christoph Tilly made Layup. Assisted by John Mobley Jr..
- 2nd Half74-68David Mirkovic made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half75-68David Mirkovic made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half75-70John Mobley Jr. made Layup.
- 2nd Half78-70Keaton Wagler made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Kylan Boswell.
- 2nd Half78-71Devin Royal made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half78-72Devin Royal made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half79-72Kylan Boswell made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half79-73Christoph Tilly made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half79-74Christoph Tilly made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half79-76Devin Royal made Layup. Assisted by Bruce Thornton.
- 2nd Half82-76Tomislav Ivisic made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Keaton Wagler.
- 2nd Half83-76Keaton Wagler made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half84-76Keaton Wagler made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half84-78Bruce Thornton made Layup.
- 2nd Half85-78David Mirkovic made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half86-78David Mirkovic made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half87-78David Mirkovic made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half88-78David Mirkovic made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half88-80Bruce Thornton made Layup.
Win probability
Above the line favours Ohio State Buckeyes, below favours Illinois Fighting Illini.
Venue
- Schottenstein CenterColumbus, OH
- Attendance9974
- OfficialsD.J. Carstensen, Tim Comer, Jeffrey Anderson
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond
Picks for NCAAB
NCAAB rules and settlement
These two, other days
- Ohio State Dominates Illinois in Convincing WinSep 26, 2026
- Ohio State Defeats Illinois 34-16 in NCAAF ClashOct 11, 2025