Buckeyes star E.J. Liddell played a key role in No. 22 Ohio State securing an 86–83 victory against No. 15 Illinois in a late season battle for top positioning in the Big Ten standings.
However, what made Liddell’s 21-point performance more impressive was the recent hardship the junior forward faced ahead of Thursday’s conference showdown. Following Liddell's 16-point performance in Ohio State’s overtime victory against Indiana, Liddell was admitted to the hospital for fatigue.
Buckeyes basketball coach Chris Holtmann revealed that Liddell had the flu after Ohio State's win on Thursday.
“My man [Liddell] needed fluids the night after the Indiana game.