Illinois vs Northwestern Pick – Basketball Predictions & Odds 2/23/23
Northwestern Wildcats (20-7) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (18-9)
February 23, 2023 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Illinois Fighting Illini -5 / Northwestern Wildcats +5; Over/Under: +137
(Get latest betting odds)
The Northwestern Wildcats and Illinois Fighting Illini meet Thursday in college basketball action at the State Farm Center. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview
The Northwestern Wildcats are averaging 68.5 points on 41.1 percent shooting and allowing 61.9 points on 40.6 percent shooting. Boo Buie is averaging 17 points and 3.5 rebounds, while Chase Audige is averaging 14.8 points and 3.3 rebounds. Robbie Beran is grabbing 4.9 rebounds and Ty Berry is grabbing 4.6 rebounds. The Northwestern Wildcats are shooting 31.8 percent from beyond the arc and 75.2 percent from the free throw line. The Northwestern Wildcats are allowing 33.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 32 rebounds per game.
The Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview
The Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 75 points on 45.5 percent shooting and allowing 65.4 points on 40.9 percent shooting. Terrence Shannon Jr. is averaging 17 points and 5 rebounds, while Matthew Mayer is averaging 12.6 points and 5.3 rebounds. Dain Dianja is the third double-digit scorer and Coleman Hawkins is grabbing 6.5 rebounds. The Illinois Fighting Illini are shooting 31.5 percent from beyond the arc and 67.5 percent from the free throw line. The Illinois Fighting Illini are allowing 33.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 36 rebounds per game.
Northwestern vs Illinois Trends
The Wildcats are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Fighting Illini are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games and 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games overall. The under is 6-0 in Wildcats last 6 overall. The under is 3-1-1 in Fighting Illini last 5 home games. The underdog is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
Randy’s Free Pick
The Northwestern Wildcats are playing the better ball over the last week, and they have a defense that travels, so an upset wouldn’t be shocking. However, Illinois is a different beast at home, where it’s not only 10-5 ATS but wins by an average of 16.9 points and holds teams under 40 percent shooting. The line isn’t crazy. Give me Illinois.
