No. 6 Ohio State plays for Big Ten title against Illinois

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

03/02/2010 - Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The sixth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes set their sights on at least a share of the Big Ten title, as they welcome the Illinois Fighting Illini to Columbus this evening for a conference showdown at Value City Arena.

Thad Matta's Buckeyes are seeking their third league title in his six years at the helm. This will be the regular-season finale for Ohio State, which leads both Purdue and Michigan State by a half game in the conference standings. The Buckeyes enter this contest with plenty of momentum, having won three straight and nine of their last 10 games, overall. This past weekend, OSU moved to 13-4 in league play with a 66-55 win over Michigan.

The Illini are a little farther down the conference ladder, but still a respectable 10-6 in league play. Quality wins over Ohio State here and against nationally-ranked Wisconsin at the end of the week, and a strong run in the conference tournament will likely be needed to get any consideration by the NCAA Tournament committee though. They can help their cause tonight, as a win over OSU would clinch a top-five seed and first-round bye in the Big Ten Tournament. The Illini have certainly hurt themselves of late however, with losses in three of their last four games, including a heart-breaking 62-60 decision at home against Minnesota this past weekend.

This is the 168th meeting between these two teams, with Illinois leading by a count of 102-65. Still, it is OSU seeking the regular-season sweep after posting a 72-53 victory in Champaign on February 14th.

The Illini are not the most explosive offensive team in the Big Ten. The team is averaging a rather modest 71.4 ppg, although it is on a solid .454 shooting effort. Where the team has had its most success is at the defensive end, holding foes under 40 percent shooting (.397) and allowing a mere 66.1 ppg. Four of the team's five starters are averaging double figures, led by Demetri McCamey's 150 ppg. McCamey is much more than just a scorer though, as he leads the conference in assists (6.9 apg). D.J. Richardson helps out along the perimeter with 10.7 ppg, while Mike Tisdale (11.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and Mike Davis (10.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg) provide balance down low. The Illini dropped a two-point decision to the Golden Gophers, as Minnesota won in Champaign for the first time in 14 years. The Illini rallied from a 19-point second-half deficit, to cut the lead to one with just over a minute to play, but couldn't get the win. Bill Cole led the way for Illinois with 15 points. Davis recorded a double- double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Richardson added 10 points of his own, while McCamey just missed a double-double with nine points and 10 assists.

The Buckeyes moved one step closer to the Big Ten title with an 11-point win at home against Michigan this past weekend. William Buford led the way with a 24-point outburst. Evan Turner followed with 18 points and 11 rebounds and Dallas Lauderdale matched a career-high with 14 points. OSU shot a sizzling .587 from the floor in the game, while holding the Wolverines to a meager .362 effort. Turner is the straw that stirs the drink for Ohio State and has to be considered the frontrunner for Big Ten Player of the Year. He is shooting a stellar .543 from the field and ranks first in the conference in scoring (19.7 ppg) and rebounding (9.3 rpg) and second in assists (5.9 apg). Buford (14.2 ppg), David Lighty (12.3 ppg) and Jon Diebler (12.3 ppg) provide more than enough scoring punch. The Buckeyes are averaging a modest 73.5 ppg on the season, but the team makes the most of its trips down the floor, converting 49.5 percent of its shots.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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