NO. 9 OHIO STATE 83, ILLINOIS 67: A 28-8 game-opening blitz by the Buckeyes continued the late-season tailspin of the visiting Illini, who have lost six straight and nine of their last 10.

The Buckeyes (23-5, 11-4 Big Ten) began the night in nearly perfect fashion, making 11 of their first 12 shots from the floor while building an insurmountable 20-point cushion by the midway point of the first half. Aaron Craft scored eight points during the run for Ohio State, which shot 71 percent (17 for 24) in the opening half and 65 percent overall.

Illinois (16-12, 5-10), which had posted a 79-74 triumph over the Buckeyes on Jan. 10 before its current skid began, never got closer than 14 points after falling into the early hole.

The Fighting Illini shot just under 30 percent over the first 20 minutes, missing 7 of 8 shots from long range.

Deshaun Thomas and William Buford led an efficient Ohio State attack with 19 and 17 points, respectively, shooting a combined 13 of 17 from the field.

Meyers Leonard paced Illinois with 21 points, including 14 of his team's 26 points in the first half.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Ohio State moved within a half-game of first-place Michigan State in the Big Ten standings ... Illinois G Brandon Paul, who scored 43 points against Ohio State on Jan. 10, finished with nine on Tuesday ... The Buckeyes host No. 15 Wisconsin on Sunday before closing the regular season with back-to-back road games ... Illinois faces consecutive home dates with Iowa (Feb. 26) and No. 13 Michigan (March 1).