The Duke Blue Devils and Illinois Fighting Illini meet on Saturday in college basketball action at Madison Square Garden. Here’s a Duke vs Illinois Prediction. This article will include a Duke vs Illinois Pick.
Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview
The Duke Blue Devils (23-3, 16-10 ATS) were on a spectacular run of 16 victories before that winning streak ended with a 77-71 road loss to Clemson. Duke responded with three wins in a row, including the most recent one over Virginia on the road. Duke seems to be navigating smoothly towards securing a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Duke averages 81.0 PPG (39th) and allows 60.8 PPG (6th). The Blue Devils are 51st in rebounds (38.5) and 37th in assists (16.7). Cooper Flagg leads the team with 19.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, and 1.2 BPG. Kon Knueppel follows him with 13.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 2.4 APG, while Tyrese Proctor chips in with 12.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 2.2 APG.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview
The Illinois Fighting Illini (17-10, 12-14-1 ATS) lost six of the last nine games. After beating Minnesota and UCLA, Illinois took a pair of defeats to Michigan State and Wisconsin. The Fighting Illini are 7th in the Big Ten and it seems that this spot is the best they can get before the conference playoffs start.
Illinois is averaging 83.9 PPG (10th) and is allowing 72.4 PPG (203rd). The Fighting Illini are getting 43.8 RPG (3rd) and are having 14.6 APG (133rd). Kasparas Jakucionis is the team’s top scorer with 15.6 PPG, along with 5.5 RPG, a team-high 4.8 APG, and 1.0 SPG. Tomislav Ivisic adds 12.5 PPG, a team-high 8.3 RPG, and a team-high 1.1 BPG, while Will Riley has 11.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, and 2.2 APG.
Why Duke will beat Illinois
- Duke has won 21 of its last 22 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Illinois has lost six of its last seven games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents.
- Duke has won the first half in 16 of its last 17 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why Illinois will beat Duke
- Illinois has won 11 of its last 12 games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- Duke has lost each of its last three games played at neutral venues.
- Illinois has won the first half in each of its last four games against the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Duke’s last 16 games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues has produced a total of 151 or fewer points.
- Each of Illinois’ last four games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.
Duke vs Illinois Injury Report
Maliq Brown is dealing with a dislocated shoulder and is uncertain to take the court for the Blue Devils.
Morez Johnson Jr. is dealing with a wrist injury and will not take the court for the Fighting Illini. He will remain out indefinitely.
Duke vs Illinois Prediction
I am not sure about the spread in this one, so I am going with the total. Even though Duke has an elite defense, which is in the top 10 in the country, I am sure Illinois can cause the Blue Devils a problem or two. Given the Blue Devils are consistent offensively, Illinois’ defense is going to struggle against Cooper Flagg and co.
It’s a neutral-court tilt, so there is no home-court advantage. I expect both offenses to play well and combine for more than 155 points. Illinois has hit Over in 24 of its last 40 games and is 16-11 O/U in this campaign. No doubt Duke will get to an 80-point mark without problems, I am hoping Illinois can score at least 70 to take us to the win.