The Michigan Wolverines (17-12, 11-7 Big Ten) take on the topsy-turvy Illinois Fighting Illini (19-10, 10-8) in Champagne Thursday at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Michigan at Illinois odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
After losing 72-60 at Ohio State on Sunday as 4.5-point favorites, Illinois returns home looking to avoid its 1st 2-game losing streak of the season.
Michigan comes in looking for another victory after defeating Wisconsin 87-79 as 5.5-point favorites in Ann Arbor on Sunday.
This will be a close game as the Big Ten rivals battle for position in the conference tournament. Illinois averages 74.2 points per game and Michigan averages 73.4 points.
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Michigan at Illinois odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:56 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Michigan +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | Illinois -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Michigan +4.5 (-105) | Illinois -4.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 143.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Michigan at Illinois picks and predictions
Prediction
Illinois 70, Michigan 67
Moneyline
PASS.
While Illinois has yet to lose 2 straight games this season, -220 is too much to risk on Illinois or any straight wager. And after a tough overtime battle with Wisconsin, Michigan could come in with a bit of a hangover effect on the road. Therefore, stay away.
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Against the spread
MICHIGAN +4.5 (-105).
Michigan has been taking games to the wire of late. A final-second shot by Hunter Dickinson on Sunday was the shot needed to get the Wolverines to overtime against the Badgers and allow them to pull out the win.
This will be another close call in Champagne and neither team should be favored by 4.5 points. With Michigan being the underdog, I will take the value with them to keep it close.
Over/Under
UNDER 143.5 (-105).
Michigan has had a steady pace of Under totals on the road. Four of the Wolverines’ last 5 road games have gone Under and 4 of 5 road games against a team with a winning home record have also gone Under.
Michigan has not performed well on the road with a 3-5 record and Illinois is 14-2 at home.wise. The Wolverines will need to perform better to have a chance Thursday, but Illinois tends to play to its competition. This includes a 6-1-1 record to the Under against a team with a losing road record.
Both sides will be physical, and points will be at a premium so Under 143.5 is the side to wager.
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