GAME:  #711 Illinois vs #712 Baylor
TIME:    12/2/2020 – 10:00p EST
SPREAD:   Baylor -4.5
TOTAL:      143

The #5 Illinois Fighting Illini (3-0) have a tough matchup against the #2 Baylor Bears (2-0) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Wednesday at 10 p.m. EST. Both teams earned victories in their previous game. Baylor won by a score of 86-52 in Las Vegas over Washington on Sunday, while Illinois barely won 77-75 at home against Ohio on Friday. These teams haven’t met since 2014. 

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI

The Illinois Fighting Illini are primed to have a strong season after going 21-10 a year ago. They have all five starters back from that team and have jumped out to a 3-0 start. However, the level of competition has not been very good. In their last game, they faced the Ohio Bobcats and just barely won. The Illini defense was an issue as they allowed Ohio to shoot 48% from the field, including 47% three. On the season, Dosunmu leads the Illini with 25.7 points and 6.7 assists on the season, while Cockburn averages 11.7 rebounds and 1.0 block per game.

BAYLOR BEARS

Baylor Coach Scott Drew has been absent but he is expected to return to the sidelines against Illinois. Baylor has looked dominant against Washington. Guard Jared Butler scored 20 points and 5 assists, while guard Adam Flagler added 17 points. Baylor shot 51% from the field and 45% from three-point range and they also outrebounded Washington 48-15. Butler leads the team with 18.5 points per game and averaged 16 points last season and Macio Teague is adding 18 points per game, 6.5 rebounds, and shooting 38.5% from three.

TRENDS(covers.com)

ILLINOIS

• Fighting Illini are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games.
• Fighting Illini are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 5-1-1 in Fighting Illini last 7 overall.

BAYLOR

• Bears are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games as a favorite.
• The Bears are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games.
• Over is 5-1 in the Bears last 6 overall.
• Under is 4-1 in the Bears’ last 5 games following an ATS win.

ILLINOIS vs BAYLOR PREDICTION

Both Illinois and Baylor are ranked at the top of college basketball when it comes to scoring. The Fighting Illini are ranked ninth in Division I with 98.7 points per game while the Bears are eighth at 99 per game. Baylor however has played a little more competition than Illinois. The Fighting Illini will have their first true test of the season on a neutral court. Illinois has a lot of potential but they struggle if either Dosunmu or Cockburn is not in the game. The Bookie is rolling with the Baylor Bears to win this one. 

BETTING ANGLES:

The Bookie:          Baylor -4.5  -110
Fade the Public:  Baylor
Sharp Action:  Baylor 

Risk 2.2 Units to win 2 Units on Baylor to win by 5 or more.

ADDITIONAL PLAYS:

1:30 PM EST  #714 Stanford -1  -110
Risk 2.2 Units to win 2 Units on Stanford to win by 2 or more.

4:00 PM EST  #716 North Carolina ML  -103
Risk 2.06  Units to win 2 Units on North Carolina to win.

7:00 PM EST  #676 Gonzaga -8 -110
Risk 2.2 Units to win 2 Units on Gonzaga to win by more than 8.

7:00 PM EST  #718 Alabama -1 -110
Risk 2.2 Units to win 2 Units on Alabama to win by 2 or more.