The Illinois Fighting Illini and Iowa Hawkeyes meet Sunday in the college basketball action at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Here’s a Iowa vs Illinois Prediction. This article will include a Iowa vs Illinois Pick.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview
The Illinois Fighting Illini beat Penn State and Rutgers, and they play Northwestern next. Illinois has won 4 straight games.
The Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 86.7 points on 47.6 percent shooting and allowing 67.3 points on 39.4 percent shooting. Keaton Wagler is averaging 15.5 points and 5.2 rebounds, while Kylan Boswell is averaging 14.5 points and 4.3 rebounds. Andrej Stojakovic is the third double-digit scorer and David Mirkovic is grabbing 8.3 rebounds. The Illinois Fighting Illini are shooting 34.8 percent from beyond the arc and 79.7 percent from the free throw line. The Illinois Fighting Illini are allowing 30.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 39.4 rebounds per game.
Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview
The Iowa Hawkeyes beat UCLA, lost to Minnesota, and they play Purdue next. Iowa has won 12 of its last 15 games.
The Iowa Hawkeyes are averaging 85.5 points on 51.9 percent shooting and allowing 65.1 points on 42.6 percent shooting. Bennett Stirtz is averaging 18 points and 2.5 rebounds, while Tavion Banks is averaging 9.3 points and 4.4 rebounds. Alvaro Folgueiras is grabbing 3.8 rebounds and Cam Mayawu is dishing 0.9 assists. The Iowa Hawkeyes are shooting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc and 75.7 percent from the free throw line. The Iowa Hawkeyes are allowing 29.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31 rebounds per game.
Why the Iowa Hawkeyes will win
- Iowa has won each of its last nine games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
- Illinois has lost each of its last six day games as an AP-ranked team against an AP-ranked team.
- Iowa has won the first half in each of its last 10 games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Why the Illinois Fighting Illini will win
- Iowa has lost each of its last 10 games against AP-ranked opponents.
- Illinois has won nine of its last 10 games against Iowa.
- Illinois has won the first half in each of its last six games against teams with an AP Ranking of 19.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Illinois’ last 13 day games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 154+ points.
- Fourteen of Iowa’s last 16 day games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 147+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Iowa ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent rebounds per game this season (27.7).
- Iowa ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (49.4).
- Illinois ranks 365th among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (3.6).
- Illinois ranks 364th among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (8.5).
Iowa vs Illinois Prediction
Iowa is getting the benefit of the doubt at home where it’s undefeated, but you can argue we’re getting points with the better team. Illinois has more balance, as it’s better defensively and has more depth scoring wise. There are several players capable of taking over for Illinois, while Iowa a lot of times lives and dies with Stirtz. Illinois has shown it can win on the road and has won 9 of the last 10 games against Iowa. The last time Illinois was an underdog, it was blowing the doors off of Tennessee. Give me the bucket with Illinois.