Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Wisconsin Badgers 2/18/19, Prediction & Odds

Fighting Illini vs. Badgers Prediction

The 20th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers have dropped their last two contests to ranked opponents, but are favored at home tonight versus an Illinois Fighting Illini squad that has won four in a row. Can Wisconsin get back on track against a surging opponent?

Game Snapshot

853 Illinois Fighting Illini at 854 Wisconsin Badgers 

Monday, February 18, 2019

Kohl Center at 8PM ET

TV: FS1

Compare odds from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our College Basketball Odds & Betting Page.

Public Betting Information

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Badgers are a 10.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total sits at 135 points. As of Monday morning, 55 percent of public bets are coming in on visiting Illinois. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest updates.

Illini wins first road game

Illinois earned its first road victory of the season Thursday night with a 63-56 triumph at Ohio State. The Fighting Illini (10-15, 6-8 Big Ten Conference) outscored the Buckeyes 33-29 in the second half to secure the win. Illinois shot 24-of-54 from the floor, 6-of-21 from 3-point distance and 9-of-17 from the free throw line. Ayo Dosunmu paced the Illini with 15 points on 4-of-10 shooting including 2-of-6 from 3-point range plus 5-of-8 at the free throw line. He also recorded four rebounds and three assists. Trent Frazier contributed 15 points, three rebounds and three assists. Giorgi Bezhanishvili added 13 points, seven caroms, four blocked shots and two steals.

Badgers fall to Spartans

Wisconsin suffered a 67-59 home defeat against Michigan State Tuesday night to drop to 17-8 overall and 9-5 in conference play. The Badgers were outscored 30-21 in the second half of the loss. Wisconsin shot 24-of-56 from the floor, 6-of-20 from 3-point range and 5-of-12 from the free throw line. Ethan Happ led the Badgers with 20 points on 10-of-20 shooting to go with 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Nate Reuvers added 11 points, four caroms and two blocked shots.

College Basketball Betting Trends

Illinois

The Fighting Illini are 5-1 ATS in their last six Monday games. Illinois is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games following an ATS win.

Wisconsin

The Badgers are 6-2 ATS in their last eight Big Ten games. Wisconsin is 2-7 ATS in its last nine Friday games.

Prediction:

The Illini have been playing much better basketball of late, but let's not forget they only just won their first road game of the season and now travel to play a salty Wisconsin team in a very difficult road environment. The Badgers have been a little bit vulnerable at home with three defeats this season, but they should overwhelm an inexperienced Illinois squad here. Wisconsin has the sixth-ranked defense nationally, while the Illini are outside the top 70 in both offense and defense.

 

NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: WISCONSIN BADGERS -10.5