I'm laying the points with Ohio State on Tuesday night. The last time these two teams hooked-up Brandon Paul had one of the biggest night's in Illini basketball history (43 points) leading his team to a 79-74 win. Ohio State actually led by 6 at one point of the second half, but Paul connected on 11 of 15 FGA, including a scorching 8 of 10 from behind the arc. The Illini finished 27 of 45 as a team. But since that win, Illinois has gone 1-8 SU/ATS. They have averaged just 60.2 ppg during the slide. Some may feel the Illini hit rock-bottom in Lincoln over the weekend, but to me it looks as though Bruce Weber has lost his team. Bad timing. They're facing a Buckeye team off a loss. Ohio State is 4-0 SU (3-0 ATS) off a SU loss this season, winning by an average score of 77.8 to 57.3. They're not only one of the top shooting teams in the nation, but the Buckeyes allow just 57.1 ppg on 40.2% shooting, including 31.2% from behind the arc. The Illini, meanwhile, rank 290th shooting the trey and 311th defending it. Illinois has not been at their defensive best of late and they're 0-9 ATS on the road after failing to force more than 5 steals in 2 straight games. The Buckeyes are not only 3-0 ATS off a SU loss, but they're 6-1 ATS as a home favorite of 13 or more. They're also 9-2 ATS with Thad Matta as coach in revenge of a SU loss, allowing just 61.6 ppg in the process. The 9-0 ATS spot against Illinois, combines with OSU's 3-0 ATS mark for a 12-0 combined record. I believe we have a blowout at both ends. I'm laying the points with Ohio State on Tuesday. Thanks! GL! Scott.

I'm laying the points with Missouri on Tuesday night. I released Kansas State on these pages when they hosted and whipped Mizzou on January 7. It was an odd game for the Tigers. Missouri had a horrible first half and were not able to recover, shooting under 33% for the game, including a 7 of 24 night from behind the arc. That was certainly an anomaly for a Missouri team that ranks 2nd in the nation, making 50.3% of their shots, including 38.8% from area code 3, which ranks 26th, while scoring 79.9 ppg. Mizzou will look to push the tempo against a K-State team that would love to keep it in the 50s. Kansas State is not a strong offensive team and in fact, they have averaged just 60.6 ppg in their last 5 contests. The Wildcats are off the big win in Waco, but they're on a 1-7 ATS slide against teams who outscore their opponents by at least 4 ppg. Mizzou, meanwhile, is on a 6-0 ATS run in the same situation. The Tigers are also on a 6-0 ATS run at home against teams playing .600 - .800 basketball, winning by an average score of 80-62. This series has belonged to the home team (13-3 ATS) over the last several years and I expect to gain a sweep in this year's edition. I'm laying the points with Missouri on Tuesday. Thanks! GL! Scott.