GAME:  #845 Iowa vs #846 Illinois 
TIME:    3/8/2020 – 7:00p EST
SPREAD:   Illinois -3.5
TOTAL:      148
SPORTSBOOK:  SportsBetting.ag

The #18 Iowa Hawkeyes (20-10, 11-8) have a tough final BIG 10 Conference game against the #23 Illinois Fighting Illini (20-10, 12-7) at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois on Sunday at 7 p.m. EST. Illinois lost at Ohio State 63-71 in their last outing while Iowa lost at home to Purdue 68-77 in their last game. These teams met in Iowa on Feb. 2, when the Hawkeyes won by a score of 72-65. Iowa looks for its 6th straight win in the head-to-head series against Illinois. Iowa has won by an average of 14 points in its last 5 wins over the Fighting Illini.

IOWA HAWKEYES

The Iowa Hawkeyes are scoring 77 points on 44% field goal shooting adding 7.8 threes, 10.1 offensive rebounds, and committing 12.1 turnovers per game on the offensive end.  The Hawkeyes are allowing 72 points per game on 42% field goal shooting while forcing 12.6 turnovers and adding 6.2 steals and 3.8 blocks per game on the defensive end.  Iowa is led by Luka Garza Who is averaging 23.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI

The Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 72 points on 44% field goal shooting adding 5.6 3s, 10.8 offensive rebounds while committing 12.3 turnovers per game on the offensive end. The Fighting Illini are allowing 64 points per game on 41% field-goal shooting while forcing 11.6 turnovers and adding 6 steals and 3.3 blocks per game on the defensive end.  Illinois is led by Ayo Dosunmu who is averaging 16.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.

IOWA VS ILLINOIS PREDICTION 

Illinois is 0-6 this year when it allows 72 points or more and 20-4 when holding opponents to fewer than 72. Iowa has had Illinois’ number since 2018 winning their last 5 meetings, scoring an average of 90 points per game. Iowa is not a team you want to face after a loss and Coach Fran McCaffery will have his boys hungry for a win. Look for Iowa to show up to play today in this big road game to cover the spread and possibly win outright. 

TRENDS(from covers.com)

IOWA

• Under is 4-0 in Hawkeyes last 4 Sunday games.
• Hawkeyes are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Sunday games.
• Hawkeyes are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games following an ATS loss.
• Under is 7-1 in Hawkeyes last 8 games following a straight-up loss.

ILLINOIS

• Under is 6-1 in Fighting Illini last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Fighting Illini are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as a home favorite.
• Under is 4-1-1 in Fighting Illini last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

HEAD TO HEAD

• The home team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.

SPORTS BETTING ANGLES:

Bookie Analysis:  Iowa +3.5 / Over 148
Fade the Public:   Iowa +3.5 / Over 148
Sharp Action:       no data / no data

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#18 Iowa vs #23 Illinois Prediction & Analysis – College Basketball