Illinois vs. Marquette Prediction
With wins in each of its first two games, No. 11 Illinois is off to a strong start to the new season. Will the Fighting Illini cover, however, as an 8-point road favorite on Monday night against a Marquette program that has also won two straight?
Game Snapshot
811 Illinois Fighting Illini (-8) at 812 Marquette Golden Eagles (+8); o/u 146.5
7:00 p.m. ET, Monday, November 15, 2021
Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
TV: FS1
Illinois Fighting Illini Game Notes
Jacob Grandison contributed 20 points (7-10 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds and an assist in 23 minutes during Tuesday’s 71-47 win over Jackson State. Grandison had limited production during his first season with the Illini last year, but he had a significant role in Tuesday’s opener. The redshirt senior averaged just 4.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game during the 2020-21 campaign but has taken on a starting role to begin the year.
Marquette Golden Eagles Game Notes
Darryl Morsell provided 21 points (7-13 FG, 3-7 3pt, 4-5 FT), four rebounds, and two assists in 28 minutes during Tuesday’s 88-77 victory over SIU-Edwardsville. Morsell’s 21 points were good enough for a career-best performance, but he starred on defense. The reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year helped hold the opposing SIU-Edwardsville guards to just 2-14 on three-point attempts. The transfer expected a larger scoring role in Marquette and this performance is a clear step up from his nine points per game last season with Maryland.
Illinois vs. Marquette Game Prediction
The Illini are 4-1 against the spread in their last five road games dating back to last season and have covered in eight of their last 11 games overall. They’re also 15-5-1 at the betting window in their last 21 games when facing an opponent with a winning record and are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games following an ATS win. On the other side, the Golden Eagles are just 3-9 against the number in their last 12 home games and have failed to cover in 15 of their last 22 games overall.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL BETTING PREDICTION: ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI -8