Illinois Fighting Illini (12-4) vs. Michigan Wolverines (7-10)
January 18, 2024 8:30 pm EDT
The Line: Michigan Wolverines +2.5; Over/Under: 155.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Michigan Wolverines meet Thursday in college basketball action from Crisler Center. Illinois is 1-2 in their last three games, falling to 12-4 overall with a loss to Maryland on Sunday. As for Michigan, they’re 7-10 on the year and coming off a win over Ohio State. Let’s get into our Illinois vs. Michigan prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Illinois Fighting Illini
The Illini only lost two of their first 13 games this year in a 11-2 stretch to start things out. Illinois fell to Marquette and Tennessee during that stretch. Since then the Illini have lost two of three however, beating Michigan State in between defeats by Purdue and Maryland.
In their Sunday matchup versus Maryland, the Illini held a slim 39-37 edge going into the second half. Illinois was outscored 39-28 from there in a rough run, resulting in a 76-67 defeat. Marcus Domask led the team in the losing effort with his 26 points, four rebounds and one assist.
Michigan Wolverines
Over on the Wolverines’ side, they posted a sketchy 6-5 run over their first 11 games with losses to Long Beach State, Memphis, Texas Tech, Oregon and Indiana. After losses to Florida, McNeese, Minnesota, Penn State and Maryland, Michigan broke their losing stretch with a win over Ohio State.
In the Ohio State matchup on Monday, the Wolverines jumped out to a 37-28 edge in the locker room. Michigan was outscored 37-36 from there but still held on for the win 73-65. Olivier Nkamhoua was the top team scorer with his 20 points, six rebounds and four assists in 37 minutes of work.
ANDREW’S FREE ILLINOIS VS MICHIGAN PREDICTION
I’m going to stay with Illinois. I’m not as confident in the Illini after their loss to Maryland, but the team should bounce back in a favorable matchup here. Illinois hit a rough 32.8 percent from the field and 27.3 percent (6-of-22) from 3-point range in the loss to the Terrapins, but otherwise didn’t play too badly (outside of a tepid eight team assists). It was the Illini’s lowest points total since 64 points versus Marquette back on November 14. Michigan has given up 73 or more points in four of the last six games, but to be fair the Wolverines have also surrendered just 129 combined over the last pair. Illinois is going to have to get the offense going again in this one, but I think they’ll be okay on a cover.
