Illinois vs Rutgers Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

Illinois vs Rutgers prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Wednesday.

Illinois vs Rutgers prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch: Wednesday, February 16


Illinois vs Rutgers How To Watch

Date: Wednesday, February 16
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: Jersey Mike’s Arena, Piscataway, NJ
How To Watch: BTH
Record: Illinois (18-6), Rutgers (15-9)
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Illinois vs Rutgers Game Preview


Why Illinois Will Win

Okay, enough is enough.

Rutgers has had its fun, it got a few cookies, and now it’s time for the big, bad Illini to step in and do what it does by bludgeoning the other side on the boards.

It hasn’t always worked – Purdue was able to do whatever it wanted for stretches in the win last week – and there’s a big problem lately for Illinois on the road, but this team can take over at times on the boards, and there’s not much Rutgers should be able to do about it.

The Scarlet Knights aren’t going to do much form three, and it’s normally not a great shooting team from the field and on the line, but …

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Why Rutgers Will Win

What the … ?

Rutgers has gone Steph Curry over the last few games, shooting close to 55% from the field in the wins over Michigan State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin.

It’s playing with extreme confidence, it’s getting to the free throw line and forcing the action, and it’s even been good enough from three at times to offset the other issues.

Illinois isn’t going to face any turnovers anti relies way too much on the outside shot and its ability to get the offensive rebound when it misses, but …

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What’s Going To Happen

Seriously, Rutgers is playing really, really well.

It’s been more aggressive defensively lately and generating more easy points, it’s not getting blasted on the boards, and it’s been able to come up with enough defense to hold on.

Go against Rutgers right now at your own risk, but …

Illinois will win on the glass and from the outside. Yeah, the Scarlet Knights have been hot, but the Illini have a tough mix that should work – that includes being okay on the road.

Illinois vs Rutgers Prediction, Lines

Illinois 68, Rutgers 66
Line: Illinois -4.5, o/u: 133.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: Presidents’ Day
1: Valentine’s Day

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Illinois vs Rutgers Prediction, Game Preview

Illinois Fighting Illini vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights prediction and game preview.

Illinois vs Rutgers prediction and game preview.


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Illinois vs Rutgers Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 14
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: SHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ
Network: Big Ten Network

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Illinois (0-3) vs Rutgers (1-2) Game Preview

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Why Illinois Will Win

The running game hasn’t been bad. It’s not dominant, and it’s not making up for the other issues across the board, but it’s been getting progressively better, with 181 yards last week against Minnesota.

The defense is taking the ball away, coming up with a Big Ten-high five over the three games, and the offense needs it. The downfield passing game is the best in the conference – averaging 14.35 yards per completion – and that running game is good enough to win with, and …

Why Rutgers Will Win

Illinois is way too awful in too many areas, starting with the inability to do anything right on either side of the ball on third downs.

The passing game is the most inconsistent in the conference, the lack of third down conversions are leading to the Big Ten-worst 21:05 in time of possession with no ability to go on long marches.

Rutgers is tied with Illinois with eight takeaways – most of them in the win over Michigan State – the pass rush has been a killer with a whole lot of plays behind the line, and the team is playing with more of a spring in its step and more energy. The team is finding ways to be interesting and stay in the fight now, but …

What’s Going To Happen

Rutgers isn’t doing anything offensively.

It might be more interesting on the offensive side this year, and it’s scoring a whole lot more, but after three games last year the O gained 1,059 yards, and this year it has 896.

Fortunately, Illinois doesn’t have the offense to take advantage of the punchless Scarlet Knights, and the defense doesn’t have to worry about any sort of consistent Illini passing game.

It’ll be a whole lot of ugly, but Rutgers will get its second win in an interesting fight.

Illinois vs Rutgers Prediction, Line

Rutgers 27, Illinois 24
Bet on Illinois vs Rutgers with BetMGM
Rutgers -7.5, o/u: 51.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 2.5

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