Fighting Illini vs Wildcats College Hoops Game Preview

Illinois Fighting IlliniNorthwestern Wildcats
Jan 4, 7:00 PM | Welsh-Ryan Arena

Illinois Fighting Illini vs Northwestern Wildcats Odds

12-3TEAM RECORD11-3



The college hoops wagering menu features a clash between Northwestern and Illinois on Wednesday, with the host Wildcats trying to win and cover the NCAAB point spread.

Northwestern will face the 12-3 Fighting Illini, who own a 6-7 ATS mark on the season. In totals betting, the Wildcats are 7-2 favoring the UNDER so far this season while the Fighting Illini are 7-6 favoring the OVER.



View Illinois vs Northwestern Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Sportsbooks had set the Wildcats as 2.5-point favorites on the Sportsbook line for this contest.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game puts the Wildcats, most recently No. 194 in the Odds Shark power rankings, up against the Fighting Illini, who rate No. 80 in the latest survey. Meanwhile, math and computer-based handicapping simulations run on this game predict a potential 76-73 victory for the Fighting Illini.



How They Match Up:
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and Northwestern has the nation's No. 113-rated offensive output, at 72 PPG. The visiting Fighting Illini defense ranks No. 52 allowing on average 60.9 PPG. The Wildcats FG% has averaged 45.4% so far, more than the Fighting Illini marksmen have achieved on the year, 44.9% per game.

Defensively, Illinois features the nation's No. 122-rated defense on the road, allowing 68.5 points per game. Northwestern, meanwhile, comes in at No. 165 nationally in scoring at home.

In their last action, Illinois was a 75-60 loser on the road against Purdue. They failed to cover the 6.5–point spread as underdogs. Illinois got 17 points from Brandon Paul but lost anyway, 75-60, to Purdue on Saturday at Mackey Arena.

Northwestern was a 68-56 Sportsbook in its last match at home against Penn State. They covered the 8–point spread as favorites. The Wildcats grabbed a 68-56 win over the Nittany Lions on Sunday, behind a 21-point effort from Drew Crawford at Welsh-Ryan Arena.


Illinois Fighting Illini Trends:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
After playing Purdue are 5-5
After a loss are 8-2

Northwestern Wildcats Trends:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Michigan are 3-7
After playing Penn State are 2-8
After a win are 8-2


A few Fighting Illini at Wildcats trends to consider:
Illinois is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Northwestern
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Illinois's last 7 games on the road
Illinois is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Northwestern is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Northwestern's last 5 games when playing Illinois
Northwestern is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games
Northwestern is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games when playing at home against Illinois


Next up:
Illinois home to Nebraska, Saturday, January 7
Northwestern at Michigan, Wednesday, January 11

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