GAME: #843 Illinois vs #844 Iowa
TIME: 02/02/2020 – 1:00p EST
SPREAD: Iowa -4.5
TOTAL: 146
SPORTSBOOK: WagerWeb Sportsbook
The #19 Illinois Fighting Illini (16-5, 8-2) have a tough BIG TEN conference showdown against the #18 Iowa Hawkeyes (15-6, 6-4) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST. In their last game, the Hawkeyes had a tough road loss to Maryland by a score of 72-82 where the Hawkeyes played in foul trouble the entire game and Illinois beat Minnesota by a score of 59-51 in a game that should have been an easy blowout but Illinois lacks consistency. These teams met twice last season with Iowa winning both games by scores of 95-71 at home and 83-62 on a neutral court.
ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI
The Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 74 points per game on 45% field goal shooting while adding 10.4 offensive rebounds per game and committing 12.9 turnovers per game on the offensive end. The Fighting Illini are allowing 63 points per game on 40% field-goal shooting while forcing 12.1 turnovers and adding 6 steals and three blocks per game defense. Illinois is led by Ayo Dosunmu who’s averaging 16 points, 3.4 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game along with Kofi Cockburn with 14.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.
IOWA HAWKEYES
The Iowa Hawkeyes are averaging 79 points per game on 44% field-goal shooting while adding eight 3-pointers and 10.8 offensive rebounds per game. The Hawkeyes are allowing 70 points per game on 42% field-goal shooting while forcing 12.6 turnovers and adding 5.9 steals and 3.9 blocks on defense. The Hawkeyes are led by Luka Garza who’s averaging 23 points per game 10.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game along with Joe Wieskamp who’s adding 15 points per game and 6.2 rebounds.
ILLINOIS vs IOWA PICK & PREDICTION
Iowa is a perfect 13-0 when its defense holds opponents to a field goal percentage of 43% or less which happens to be what Illinois is averaging on the road. Iowa is coming off a tough loss where they were helpless when the officiating took over the game early and kept Garza on the bench. Fran McCaffrey and Iowa will be hungry for a big win on their home court against this inconsistent Illinois team. The over should be easy with the amount of offensive production that both teams possess but with Illinois’ inconsistencies, it could be a blowout win for Iowa which would leave the total falling short. Look for Iowa to win and cover this spread with Luka Garza staying out of foul trouble and back to dominating the low post.
TRENDS(from covers.com)
ILLINOIS
- Under is 6-1 in Fighting Illini last 7 games following a ATS win.
- Under is 5-1 in Fighting Illini last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Fighting Illini are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog.
IOWA
- Under is 4-0 in Hawkeyes last 4 games following a loss.
- Hawkeyes are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
- Hawkeyes are 5-0-2 ATS in their last 7 games as a home favorite.
SPORTS BETTING ANGLES:
Bookie Analysis: Iowa -4.5 / Over 146
Fade the Public: Iowa -4.5 / no data
Sharp Action: no data / no data
Illinois vs Iowa Pick