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The No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini (21-7, 12-5 Big Ten) head to Kohl Center to face the Wisconsin Badgers (18-10, 10-7) Saturday at 1 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Illinois vs. Wisconsin odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Illinois, which is No. 16 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, won barnburner Wednesday night over the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 105-97. It failed to cover the spread as a 12-point favorite but went over the 155.5 total. The Fighting Illini overcame Minnesota’s 14 made 3-pointers by dominating in the post, outscoring the Golden Gophers 50-38 in the paint. Three Fighting Illini starters scored 20+ points, led by G Terrence Shannon Jr.‘s 29. Illinois has averaged 90.6 points per game (PPG) over their last 8, going 6-2 over that stretch.
Wisconsin dropped its 6th game in its last 8 Tuesday night in Bloomington to the Indiana Hoosiers, 74-70. It failed to cover the spread as a 4-point favorite, but the Over (140) hit. The Badgers forced 12 Indiana turnovers but it was not enough to get the victory. Junior G Chucky Hepburn did a little bit of everything for Wisconsin in a losing effort, scoring 15 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, dishing 6 assists and picking up 2 steals. The Badgers have won 3 of their last 4 at home in Big Ten play.
The Fighting Illini have won the last 6 meetings against Wisconsin, including a 61-51 decision Jan. 28, 2023. Illinois covered the spread as 2-point favorite, and the Under (130.5) hit.
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Illinois at Wisconsin odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Illinois +126 (bet $100 to win $126) | Wisconsin -152 (bet $152 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Illinois +2.5 (-104) | Wisconsin -2.5 (-118)
- Over/Under (O/U): 154.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Illinois at Wisconsin picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 83, Wisconsin 78
Moneyline
BET ILLINOIS (+126).
This may be a trap game for the Fighting Illini on the road in a tough environment, but I love getting them at +126. Illinois has beaten the Badgers in Madison in their last 3 trips. Wisconsin has lost 6 of their last 8 and have failed to cover in all 8 of those games.
Illinois should win this game, but you never know with these conference battles.
Against the spread
PASS.
I have no problem taking Illinois +2.5 but I’m going to put my unit on the moneyline with those juicy odds.
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Over/Under
BET OVER 154.5 (-115).
It’s really hard to ignore the trends toward the Over in this one. These teams have gone over the posted total in 3 of their last 4 meetings.
The Over has hit in 9 the Fighting Illini’s last 10 games and 7 of Wisconsin’s last 10.
The Fighting Illini and Wisconsin combine to average 158 PPG on the season. This game has all the makings of a shootout.
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