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GAME NOTES: The 13th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes are set to do battle with the Illinois Fighting Illini in a Big Ten Conference clash from Assembly Hall in Champaign.

Ohio State has won its last five games and eight of its last nine to move to 19-6 overall and 9-3 in conference action. On Wednesday, the Buckeyes knocked off Indiana in a 69-52 final on the road, but they are still just 3-5 in true road games this season.

As for Illinois, it has won its last five games to move to 17-8 overall and 9-3 in conference. On Tuesday, the Illini knocked off Wisconsin, 63-56, and considering the fact that they defeated Michigan State in the previous outing, it is obvious that this squad is more than capable of beating anyone in the Big Ten. Illinois enters today's clash with a 12-1 home record.

The Fighting Illini own a 99-59 series lead over the Buckeyes, and Illinois has won the last two meetings.

Evan Turner is clearly one of the best players in the nation, as the Ohio State standout is netting 19.2 ppg to go along with 9.3 rpg and 108 assists. Turner, who is shooting 55.7 percent from the floor, has played in 19 of the team's 25 contests, as he came back quickly from a broken back. William Buford checks in with 14.2 ppg, while David Lighty and Jon Diebler provide 12.4 ppg apiece. The Buckeyes are generating 74.4 ppg on 49.7 percent field goal efficiency, and they are limiting foes to 60.5 ppg on 40.9 percent shooting. Buford scored 21 points for Ohio State in the victory over Indiana last time out, and Dallas Lauderdale pitched in 14 points, eight rebounds and seven blocks. The Buckeyes played tremendous defense, limiting the Hoosiers to 37 percent shooting.

Demetri McCamey leads four double-digit scorers for Illinois with 15.8 ppg, and he is also dishing out 6.4 apg. Mike Tisdale checks in with 12.0 ppg on 58.5 percent shooting from the floor, and he is also pulling down 6.1 rpg to go along with 43 blocks. D.J. Richardson provides 11.1 ppg for the Illini, and Mike Davis rounds out the group with 10.3 ppg and 8.4 rpg. Illinois is racking up 73.7 ppg while holding opponents to 66.6 ppg on 40 percent shooting from the field. In the thrilling road win over Wisconsin, McCamey scored 27 points and handed out seven assists, a truly dominant performance. Tisdale was outstanding as well, as he posted 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field. The Illini shot 53.3 percent from the field while holding the Badgers to 35.7 percent efficiency.

Expect a close game from start to finish today, and while Turner will be the best player on the court, expect the Illini to get the job done.