Ohio State beat Illinois 68-55 on Sunday in Columbus to wrap up their regular season. The Buckeyes finish the year 23-7, they were 13-5 in the Big Ten. They'd earn a share of the Regular Season Championship if Michigan defeated Indiana in their game this evening.
The Buckeyes now enter the Big Ten Tournament which starts on Thursday.
Other notes from today's game:
- With the win, Ohio State clinched the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the Big Ten Tournament and will face either Purdue or Nebraska in the quarterfinals. The tournament will be held March 14-17 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill.
- Ohio State is the only Big Ten team to beat every conference opponent at least once this season.
- Three players reached double figures for Ohio State: Deshaun Thomas (19 points), Aaron Craft (14) and Lenzelle Smith, Jr. (10).
- Buckeye guards Aaron Craft and Shannon Scott combined for 21 points, 15 rebounds, nine assists and five steals.
- The Buckeyes earned 15 points off of 12 Illini turnovers.
- OSU outrebounded Illinois 38-27, including 28-18 on the defensive end. When holding an advantage in the boards this season, Ohio State has a record of 14-2.
- Ohio State held a 22-16 advantage in points scored in the paint.
- Trailing 20-18, Ohio State went on a 15-4 run to end the first half. The run covered 7:24 of play and gave OSU a 33-24 lead at halftime.
- Illinois shot 35 percent (19-54) for the game. The Buckeyes have held opposing teams under 50 percent shooting in 27 of 30 games.
- OSU had a 20-13 advantage in bench points. The Buckeyes own a 571-379 edge over opposing benches in points scored this season.
- Ohio State has held opponents to under 25 points in a half a total of 21 times this season. Illinois scored 24 points in the first half.
- As a ranked team (AP), No. 14 Ohio State is 448-123 all-time.
- Ohio State is 752-673 all-time in Big Ten play.
