How to Watch Big Ten Title Game With Illinois and Ohio State; Gametime, TV, Point Spread
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- To make it to the final of the Big Ten Tournament this season meant running a serious gauntlet of quality opponents. And that's exactly what Ohio State and Illinois have done.
The two teams will now square off on Sunday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium to settle who's the best of the best. The title of Big Ten champion awaits, which is saying something this year.
They've played twice already this season, with Ohio State winning in Champaign in January and Illinois winning in Columbus last January. Both games were well played, and more of the same is expected in Indianapolis.
Here's everything you need to know about the Big Ten championship game, including the latest movement on the point spreads.
No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Illinois
- Who: No. 5-seed Ohio State Buckeyes (21-8, 12-8 in the Big Ten) vs No. 2 seed Illinois Fighting Illini (22-6, 16-4 in the Big Ten)
- When: 3:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, March 14.
- Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.
- Latest Line: Illinois is a 6-point favorite according to the DraftKings.com website as of 11 a.m. on Saturday. The over/under is 147.5.
- Nugget to know: There's no question that 7-foot Illinois center Kofi Cockburn is an intimidating presence, but don't forget the Ohio State's E.J. Liddell has huge games against the Illini, too. He had 26 points in the Buckeyes' win at Illinois in January, and 19 last week in the loss in Columbus.
- Poll rankings: Ohio State is No. 9 in AP, and No. 10 in the Coaches poll. They were as high as No. 4 prior to their four-game losing streak. Illinois is No. 3 in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls, its highest ranking of the year.
- Kenpom.com rankings: Ohio State is ranked No. 7 in the Kenpom.com rankings. Illinois is No. 3, behind only Gonzaga and Michigan.
- Last time out: Ohio State has won three straight in the tournament, beating Minnesota and Purdue, and then defeating top-seed Michigan 68-67 in the semifinals on Saturday. Illinois beat Rutgers soundly in the quarterfinals, and then toppled archrival Iowa 82-71 in Saturday's semifinals.
- TV: CBS
- Announcers: Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Bill Raftery and Grant Hill (color commentary) and Tracy Wolfson (sideline).
Big Ten Tournament
Here is the complete Big Ten Tournament schedule, with game times and television information:
Wednesday, March 10 (First Round)
- Game 1 – Minnesota 51, Northwestern 46
- Game 2 – Penn State 72, Nebraska 66
Thursday, March 11 (Second Round)
- Game 3 – Maryland 68, Michigan State 57
- Game 4 – Ohio State 79, Minnesota 75
- Game 5 – Rutgers 61, Indiana 50
- Game 6 – Wisconsin 75, Penn State 74
Friday, March 12 (Quarterfinals)
- Game 7 – Michigan 79, Maryland 66
- Game 8 – Ohio State 87, Purdue 79 (OT)
- Game 9 –Illinois 90. Rutgers 61
- Game 10 – Iowa 62, Wisconsin 57
Saturday, March 13 (Semifinals)
- Game 11 – Ohio State 68, Michigan 67
- Game 12 – Illinois 82, Iowa 71
Sunday, March 14 (Championship)
Game 13 – No. 5 seed Ohio State vs. Game 12 winner – 3:30 p.m. ET (TV: CBS)
Related stories on Big Ten basketball
- HOLTMANN, UNDERWOOD INFLUENCE: Four years ago, Chris Holtmann, Brad Underwood and Archie Miller were all hired by their respective Big Ten schools. TWo are playing for the Big Ten title today, and Miller's job security is in question. CLICK HERE
- OHIO STATE WINS: The Buckeyes advance to the Big Ten final after upsetting top-seed Michigan on Saturday. CLICK HERE
- ILLINOIS WINS: Kofi Cockburn wins the battle of standout big men, outplaying Luka Garza in Illinois' semifinal win over Iowa. CLICK HERE
- BRACKET WATCH: Spots are filling up quickly for the NCAA Tournament as some unlikely conference champions get crowned, stealing some at-large bids along the way. CLICK HERE
