The Lindenwood Lions and Illinois Fighting Illini meet Friday in college basketball action at the State Farm Center. The Lindenwood Lions look to get back to a .500 record. The Illinois Fighting Illini look for their fifth win.
The Lindenwood Lions are averaging 71.1 points on 43.1 percent shooting and allowing 73.1 points on 42.7 percent shooting. Chris Childs is averaging 17.4 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Kevin Caldwell Jr. is averaging 15.9 points and 5.1 rebounds. Cam Burrell is the third double-digit scorer and Keenon Cole is grabbing 3.4 rebounds. The Lindenwood Lions are shooting 34.5 percent from beyond the arc and 68.6 percent from the free throw line. The Lindenwood Lions are allowing 31.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.1 rebounds per game.
The Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 83.2 points on 49.3 percent shooting and allowing 62 points on 37.2 percent shooting. Terrence Shannon Jr. is averaging 21.2 points and 6.8 rebounds, while Dain Dainja is averaging 14 points and 7.6 rebounds. Jayden Epps is the third double-digit scorer and Coleman Hawkins is grabbing 5.2 rebounds. The Illinois Fighting Illini are shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc and 63.6 percent from the free throw line. The Illinois Fighting Illini are allowing 28.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 37.6 rebounds per game.
The Fighting Illini are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 home games and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The Fighting Illini are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss. The under is 6-2 in Fighting Illini last 8 home games. The under is 7-3 in Fighting Illini last 10 overall.
This is the definition of a trap game for the Illinois Fighting Illini, as it’s sandwiched in the middle of Virginia and Syracuse. We could easily see Illinois do just enough to win and get out. With that said, there’s a clear talent gap between these clubs, and a bloodbath by the Fighting Illini wouldn’t be surprising. It’s Illinois and the chalk or pass for me.