Illinois Fighting Illini (14-4) vs. Northwestern Wildcats (13-5)
January 24, 2024 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Northwestern Wildcats +3.5; Over/Under: +147.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Illinois Fighting Illini look for a win after winning 7 of their last 9 games. The Northwestern Wildcats look for a win after splitting their last 6 games. Let’s preview this game and give out a Illinois Fighting Illini vs Northwestern Wildcats prediction.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview
The Illinois Fighting Illini rebounded from a loss to Maryland with wins over Michigan and Rutgers. The Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 82.3 points on 46.9 percent shooting and allowing 67.5 points on 39.4 percent shooting. Terrence Shannon Jr. is averaging 21.3 points and 4.3 rebounds, while Marcus Domask is averaging 14.7 points and 4.6 rebounds. Quincy Guerrier is the third double-digit scorer and Coleman Hawkins is grabbing 6.1 rebounds. The Illinois Fighting Illini are shooting 33.7 percent from beyond the arc and 72.1 percent from the free throw line. The Illinois Fighting Illini are allowing 30.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 39.4 rebounds per game.
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Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview
The Northwestern Wildcats recently lost to Wisconsin and Nebraska, while beating Maryland. The Northwestern Wildcats are averaging 72.7 points on 46.3 percent shooting and allowing 67.4 points on 45 percent shooting. Boo Buie is averaging 17.9 points and 3.3 rebounds, while Brooks Barnhizer is averaging 14.4 points and 6.7 rebounds. Ryan Langborg is the third double-digit scorer and Ty Berry is grabbing 4 rebounds. The Northwestern Wildcats are shooting 36.3 percent from beyond the arc and 72.6 percent from the free throw line. The Northwestern Wildcats are allowing 35.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 28.2 rebounds per game.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs Northwestern Wildcats prediction
The Northwestern Wildcats play their best ball at home, and you know the Welsh-Ryan Arena is going to be packed for this one. With that said, Northwestern has been shaky as of late and hasn’t found much offensive success when having to step up in Big Ten competition. The Illinois Fighting Illini are an above average team at both ends of the floor, and they already beat Northwestern this month by 30 points. Does changing the venue close the gap that much? Illinois is easily the more talented team. I’ll lay the chalk with the Illinois Fighting Illini.
