INDIANAPOLIS -- You hear the same sentiment in college basketball that you hear in football -- it's hard to beat a team three times. Illinois is pinning its hopes on that cliche today as it takes on Ohio State in the Big Ten tournament.
The first matchup wasn't that close, with Ohio State taking down the Illini in Champaign 72-53. The second matchup in Columbus was a closer game, but the Buckeyes still won 72-57.
Defensive priority No. 1 for the Illini is making sure Evan Turner doesn't torch them. And for the most part, he hasn't yet this season. D.J. Richardson has a done a decent job guarding him in both matchups.
Defensive priority No. 2 is finding Jon Diebler and getting a hand in his face. In the two games, Diebler is 13-for-25 from 3-point range.
It will be interesting to see how Ohio State's shallow rotation reacts to playing his second game in as many days.
Remember this from yesterday? Turner's shot via bigtennetwork.com:
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