Deshaun Thomas scored 19 points and No. 8 Ohio State regained its shooting touch, rolling over Illinois 83-67 on Tuesday night to remain in the thick of the Big Ten race.
Ohio State shot 65% from the field.
William Buford, much maligned for his recent poor shooting, had 17 points, and Aaron Craft added 11 to go with five assists. Jared Sullinger, third in the conference at 17.5 points a game, managed just nine before fouling out.
The Buckeyes (23-5, 11-4) stayed on the heels of Big Ten leader Michigan State with three games remaining. The Spartans are 11-3 in league play.
Meyers Leonard had 21 for Illinois (16-12, 5-10), which has lost six in a row and 9 of 10.
NCAA Top-25 Men's Basketball (ESPN/"USA Today" Rankings)
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#1 Kentucky Wildcats 73, #23 Mississippi State Bulldogs 64
Kansas State Wildcats 78, #3 Missouri Tigers 68
#7 North Carolina Tar Heels 86, North Carolina State Wolfpack 74
Seton Hall Pirates 73, #8 Georgetown Hoyas 55
#11 Florida Gators 63, Auburn Tigers 47
#13 Michigan Wolverines 67, Northwestern Wildcats 55 (OT)
Colorado State Rams 71, #21 New Mexico Lobos 63
