The No. 13 Chattanooga Mocs (27-7) meet the No. 4 Illinois Fighting Illini (22-9) Friday in the first round of the South Region. Tip from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh is scheduled for 6:50 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Chattanooga vs. Illinois odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Mocs beat Furman 64-63 to win the Southern Conference Tournament championship, but failed to cover as 2-point favorites. They are 17-15 against the spread (ATS) this season.
Chattanooga’s non-conference schedule left much to be desired with its only notable game being a 87-76 loss to Murray State. The Mocs are led by G Malachi Smith, who averages 20.1 points and 3.1 assists per game.
Illinois, it is led by 7-foot C Kofi Cockburn, who is averaging 21.1 points per game and could give major issues to a smaller Mocs side.
The Fighting Illini also rank 45th in three-point shooting which is a side effect of Cockburn’s dominance in the paint. The Illini were just 5-4 over their last 9 and 2-7 ATS in that span.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Chattanooga vs. Illinois odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:19 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Chattanooga +300 (bet $100 to win $300) | Illinois -400 (bet $400 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Chattanooga +8.5 (-120) | Illinois -8.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 135.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
[tipico]
Chattanooga vs. Illinois odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 71, Chattanooga 67
Money line
PASS.
Chattanooga should be primed for an upset, and its money line is worth a look. However, backing the Mocs on the spread is certainly the better bang for your buck.
Against the spread
BET CHATTANOOGA +8.5 (-120).
Usually, the issue with smaller programs is size. However, the Mocs have 6-foot-11 C Avery Diggs on their bench who should help limit Cockburn.
Chattanooga ranks 68th according to Kenpom and sits in the top 100 in offensive and defensive adjusted efficiency.
Just as we saw with Kentucky against Saint Peter’s, sometimes is doesn’t bode well having a big man that needs to be fed the ball being your top-scoring option.
The Mocs start 3 seniors, and their top 8 scorers are all sophomores or older. Chattanooga is ready for this moment with a heavily experienced group that should be able to execute a game-plan to limit Illinois strengths flawlessly.
Lastly, the Mocs defense ranks 25th in opponents’ three-point shooting, a strength for the Illini. Given their strengths and experience, they should be able to keep this game close.
Over/Under
LEAN to the OVER 135.5 (-115).
If there’s one thing both teams have been good at this season, it’s scoring. The Fighting Illini are 17-13-1 O/U this season and average 76.2 points per game. They also rank in the top 100 in both field goal and three-point shooting.
The Mocs are also an efficiency side, averaging 75.1 points per game and shooting 46.8% from the field. The Mocs are 17-15 O/U this season.
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