The No. 21 Illinois Fighting Illini (14-5, 6-2 Big 10) head to Michigan to play the Wolverines (11-7, 2-5 Big 10) in a game that has the potential to be high-scoring. The game gets underway at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 25, 2020.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Michigan Wolverines Betting Prediction
In the Fighting Illini’s last game, they defeated the Purdue Boilermakers, 79-62. The Fighting Illini, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 37.7, had a phenomenal mark of 55.0 and had a free throw rate of 0.367 (above their season average of 0.255). Illinois was lifted by Kofi Cockburn, who was the top scorer from either team with 22 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
The Wolverines lost to the Penn State Nittany Lions in their last contest, 72-63. Penn State launched 19 three pointers, making eight of them (42.1 percent), while Michigan was just 5-28 (17.9 percent). Michigan’s Zavier Simpson had a solid game, leading the team in scoring with 18 points on 8-for-23 shooting.
This showdown figures to be a high-scoring affair as a pair of the NCAA’s top offenses face off. Michigan ranks 56th with 109.0 points per 100 possessions and Illinois is 29th (110.7).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Cockburn scored a game-high 19 points in the first matchup, in which the Fighting Illini beat the Wolverines 71-62. He also had 10 rebounds. The Fighting Illini had a much better free throw rate (0.230 vs. 0.081) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (40.5 vs. 17.1).
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Michigan Wolverines Odds Pick
Pick: ATS Winner – Michigan, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Michigan ranks 76th in three pointers attempted per game (24.6) while Illinois ranks 263rd (17.9).
The Fighting Illini rank 14th in rebounds allowed per game (30.4) while the Wolverines rank 163rd (35.8).
Michigan ranks 36th in blocks per game (4.6) while Illinois ranks 107th (3.2).
The Wolverines rank 28th in steals allowed per game (5.2) while the Fighting Illini rank 98th (6.3).
Michigan ranks 30th in assists per game (15.9) while Illinois ranks 72nd (14.4).
The Fighting Illini’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.2, down from 11.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wolverines have scored an average of 73.2 points per game (4.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 80.4 points per game (10.5 above their season average).
