GAME: #635 Illinois vs #636 Northwestern
TIME: 2/27/2020 – 8:00p EST
SPREAD: Illinois -6
TOTAL: 133
SPORTSBOOK: BetOnline.ag
The Illinois Fighting Illini (18-9, 10-6) have a BIG 10 conference match-up against the Northwestern Wildcats (6-20, 1-15) at the Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Illinois on Thursday at 8 p.m. EST. In their previous game, Illinois beat Nebraska by 12 on Monday while Northwestern lost to Minnesota 57-83. These teams last met on January 18th in Illinois with the Fighting Illini winning by a score of 75-71.
ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI
The Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 72 points per game On 44% field goal shooting adding 5.6 three-pointers and 11 offensive rebounds per game. The Fighting Illini are allowing 64 points per game on 41% field goal shooting while forcing 11.9 turnovers and adding 6 steals and 3 blocks per game. The Fighting Illini are led by Kofi Cockburn and Ayo Dosunmu. Cockburn has averaged 13.6 points and 9 rebounds while Dosunmu has put up 15.6 points and 4 rebounds per game.
NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS
The Northwestern Wildcats are averaging 64 points per game on 41% field goal shooting on offense. Northwestern is allowing 69 points per game on 42% field goal shooting on the defensive end. The are Wildcats 0-18 when allowing 66 or more points which will make this a hard game considering Illinois averages 66.4 on the road and Northwestern allows 69 per game on their home court. The Wildcats have been led by Miller Kopp and Pat Spencer, who is averaging 13 and 10.3 per game.
ILLINOIS vs NORTHWESTERN PREDICTION
Illinois barely beat Northwestern on their home court which is one of the reasons this line is so low against a weak Northwestern team. However, Illinois was not preparing for Northwestern at the time as they had Purdue just 3 days later and the Wildcats caught them off guard. Illinois tends to play weaker against weak teams but now that they learned their lesson, you can count on Brad Underwood having his boys prepared for this Northwestern game. Illinois has much better talent, offensive production, and they will dominate the boards against this poor rebounding Wildcats team. Illinois ranks #22 in the NCAA in rebounding while Northwestern is ranked #281. There is also an in-state rivalry factor with these teams that usually makes it a competitive game and often higher scoring than usual which is why we will go with the over here as the last 3 times they have played, the total has gone over by an average of 14 points as they were all set in the 130s. You do have to take into account Illinois has worse offensive road numbers and the Wildcats do not score a lot which is why the public is pounding the under. Look for Illinois to show up to play in this one to cover the spread and for the total to go over as Northwestern will have no chance but to try to keep up.
TRENDS(from covers.com)
ILLINOIS
- Under is 3-0-1 in Fighting Illini last 4 overall.
- Under is 4-0 in Fighting Illini last 4 games following a straight up win.
- Fighting Illini are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite.
NORTHWESTERN
- Wildcats are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as a home underdog.
- Under is 4-1 in Wildcats last 5 games following a ATS loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
- Underdog is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
- Road team is 11-5 ATS in the last 16 meetings.
SPORTS BETTING ANGLES:
Bookie Analysis: Illinois -6 / Over 133
Fade the Public: Northwestern +6 / Over 133
Sharp Action: Northwestern +6 / no data
Illinois vs Northwestern Prediction & Analysis – College Basketball