Illinois vs. Iowa Prediction
Can Iowa avoid a letdown in its first Big Ten Tournament game tonight when it faces Illinois at 9:25PM ET?
719 Illinois vs. 720 Iowa
Thursday, March 14, 2019
9:25PM ET – United Center
TV: Big Ten Tournament
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new College Basketball Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Iowa is favored in this game, as the Hawkeyes are getting odds of -4.5 points against Illinois. The over/under total is listed at 155 points. The public betting currently has 67 percent going on Iowa as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Illinois edges Northwestern
The Illinois basketball team defeated Northwestern on Wednesday, 74-69 in OT. The Illini are the 11 seed this weekend and are just 2-5 in their last seven games. Illinois is 12-20 on the season, 8-13 in the Big Ten, 2-5 on a neutral floor, 14-18 against the spread and 17-14-1 with the over.
Illinois is putting up 73.0 points per game on offense while shooting 42.8 percent from the field. Defensively, the Illini are giving up 75.0 points per game while opponents shoot 46.1 percent against them. Ayo Dosunmu is leading the team with 13.9 points per game while Trent Frazier is adding 13.8 points per contest.
Iowa struggling
The Hawkeyes are the 6 seed in the Big Ten this weekend. They have lost four straight coming into this game while failing to cover the spread in eight straight. Iowa is 21-10 on the season, 10-10 in Big Ten play, 3-0 on a neutral floor, 12-19 against the spread and 16-15 with the over.
Iowa is putting up 79 points per game this season while shooting 45.6 percent as a team. Defensively, the Hawkeyes are giving up 74.0 points per game while allowing opponents to shoot 44.6 percent as a team. Tyler Cook is leading the team with 15.0 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while Luka Garza is adding 13.0 points per contest.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Illinois
The Illini are 5-11 against the spread in their last 16 Thursday games and 5-16 ATS in their last 21 games following a failed cover.
Iowa
Iowa has covered in eight straight neutral-site games, but 0-4 ATS in their last four games following a loss.
Prediction:
Iowa won the lone meeting with Illinois this season, 95-71. The Hawkeyes have also covered the spread in three straight in this series. Neither team is playing well, but Illinois has only been able to beat Northwestern, the worst team in the Big Ten. Iowa has struggled lately, but still has wins over the likes of Michigan over the last handful of weeks. Iowa should have too much offense for Illinois, especially with the Illini playing last night.
College Basketball Prediction: Iowa -4.5