College hoops betting interest focuses on the Michigan vs Illinois battle Friday at Conseco Fieldhouse as the Wolverines look to defend home court and cover the NCAAB point spread.

This is a conference playoff game in the Big Ten Tournament. This game is being played at a neutral-site court (Conseco Fieldhouse).

The Fighting Illini will look to vanquish their hosts on Friday, as they are 15-13-1 ATS versus the spread this season, while the Wolverines are 17-8 ATS. Illinois is 15-13 against the total, while Michigan is 16-9 versus the number.



View Illinois vs Michigan Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Bettors looking to side with Michigan in this one will find them as 3.5-point underdogs.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Wolverines - Fighting Illini odds would favor the Fighting Illini if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Michigan is rated No. 118 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Illinois is at No. 28. Mathematical models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 73-70 win for the Fighting Illini.



How They Match Up:
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and Michigan has the nation's No. 242-rated offensive output, at 66.5 PPG. The visiting Fighting Illini defense ranks No. 96 allowing on average 65.4 PPG. The Wolverines FG% has averaged 44.7% so far, less than the Fighting Illini marksmen have achieved on the year, 46.9% per game.

Defensively, Illinois features the nation's No. 108-rated defense on the road, allowing 68.5 points per game. Michigan, meanwhile, comes in at No. 244 nationally in scoring at home.

Last time out for Illinois, they were a 72-48 Sportsbook as they battled Indiana at home. They covered in the match as a 10.5-point favorite. Illinois cruised to victory on Saturday, running Indiana out of the gym and running up a 72-48 score at University of Illinois Assembly Hall.

Last time out for Michigan, they were a 70-63 Sportsbook as they battled Michigan State at home. They covered in the match as a 1-point favorite. The Wolverines grabbed a 70-63 win over the Spartans on Saturday, behind a 20-point effort from Tim Hardaway Jr. at Crisler Arena.


Illinois Fighting Illini Trends:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
After playing Indiana are 7-3
After a win are 3-7

Michigan Wolverines Trends:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
After playing Michigan State are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

A few Fighting Illini at Wolverines trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Michigan's last 6 games when playing Illinois
Michigan is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Michigan's last 8 games
Michigan is 4-17 SU in its last 21 games when playing Illinois