For Illinois (13-6, 2-4), the fall was expected, given their recent propensity to tease/torture fans with hot and cold stretches and their only impressive non-conference win against then #23 Missouri (14-4, 2-3), now unranked. (Plus, when they were ranked 23rd and had a 13-3 record, they were demolished by Wisconsin, who haven't won since).

For #17 Ohio State (15-4, 2-4), few prophesized their current four-game losing streak, the most recent defeat coming to Nebraska (9-8, 1-4). Three of those four games were away, however, and two were against ranked opponents (#10 Iowa and #3 Michigan State). Minnesota (15-5, 4-3), the fourth team in the mix, is having a strong year and has been relatively hot lately (defeating Ohio State and Wisconsin).

Hurting the Buckeyes is their low-scoring offense and some sloppy games as of late by Wooden Award top 25 candidate, Aaron Craft (19 turnovers in the four losses and 9-24 shooting). At times, Craft may be too unselfish. Other times, he could be trying to do too much. In the Michigan State game, for instance, he wasn't doing much of anything until the late comeback, when he scored over half of his points in the last few minutes of regulations.

In light of his team's struggles, head coach Thad Matta has made adjustments that haven't yet worked.

"I'm not deviating from the plan in terms of what we have to do and how we have to do it," coach Thad Matta said. "But I've tried a lot of approaches over the last couple of weeks, I will say that."

They'll still be 11 point favorites over the Illini tonight at 7:00 pm EST on ESPN. For me, it's too soon to give them 10 points. I'll let them earn back my trust slowly. Illinois with the cover.

For live stream, try watch espn.

Regular season: 2-6

Picking Schedule:

Butler @ Creighton: L (picked Butler, +10.5)

UConn @ Memphis: L (picked Memphis, -7.5)

Depaul @ Villanova: W (picked Villanova, -17.5)

Pittsburg @ Syracuse: L (picked Syracuse, -5.5)

Creighton @ Villanova: L (picked Villanova, -6.5)

Baylor @ Kansas: W (picked Baylor, + 10.5)

Indiana @ Michigan State: L (picked Michigan State, -12)

Iowa @ Michigan: L (picked Iowa, + 1.5)