NCAA Basketball Indiana Hoosiers vs Illinois Fighting Illini: Odds, Tips and Predictions 01/27/24

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Prediction: Bet Illinois to cover

• Over/Under: Indiana vs Illinois (153.5)
• Spread: Illinois -13.5
• Pick: Bet Illinois to cover

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The Illini come into this game off a tough Overtime loss on Wednesday night; the Hoosiers have not played in eight days since a 91-79 road loss to Wisconsin. The Hoosiers have a possible injury situation with Ware, and as always, they are tight-lipped about whether he will play or not.

On offense, the Fighting Illini are adept at shooting 3-pointers at an impressive rate, currently hitting 34.3% from outside and with various options when looking for big buckets.

Indiana ranks 308th nationally for allowed 3-point attempt rate, and opponents are shooting nearly 34% from distance against them this season – neither factor bodes well for Indiana.

Illinois will look forward to the return of Terrence Shannon Jr. after missing six games due to injury. This game could provide him a great chance to make up lost ground.

Even without Shannon at his full game form, Illinois’ offense has shown it can still score freely – something they should continue doing here.

Indiana has struggled to rebound against almost every team it’s faced, ranking below 230th for both offensive and defensive rebounding.

Indiana doesn’t have many reliable options when it comes to breaking the glass, with only Kel’el Ware as an effective scorer and he might not be available Saturday – even if he does play, Illinois could easily dominate on that end of the court.

Illinois boasts size at every position on its team. Quincy Guerrier, Ty Rodgers and Coleman Hawkins will take advantage of this to maintain a wide margin on the glass.

Indiana excels at shooting 2-pointers and can do it effectively, while Illinois ranks 12th nationally for 2-point rate defense, and most of their opponents’ shots will come from inside the arc.

Illinois ranks third for Rim and 3-Rate defense per ShotQuality, so opponents will take inefficient shots against them. Indiana stands in at 309th when it comes to offense when considering Rim and 3-Rate rates;

Indiana doesn’t rebound well, and they defend the three-point shot poorly. The Hoosiers will be in trouble unless they make drastic changes over the last eight days. Take the Illini and give the -13.5

Tip:

Illinois to cover

Best Odd

-13.5

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