GAME: #615 Illinois vs # 616 Missouri
TIME: 12/21/2019 – 1:00p EST
SPREAD: Illinois -3
TOTAL: 129
SPORTSBOOK: 5Dimes Sportsbook
The Illinois Fighting Illini (8-3) are set for a tough holiday neutral court match against the Missouri Tigers (6-4) at the Enterprise Center in Missouri. Each program won at home this past weekend. Missouri won by a score of 64-48 win over Southern Illinois on Sunday, while Illinois won 69-55 over Old Dominion on Saturday. These teams last met a year ago and Missouri came out on top by a score 79-63.
ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI
The Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 81 points per game on offense while shooting 49% from the field and 31% from the three-point line. Illinois is allowing 66 points per game on the defensive end with 41% field goal shooting from their opponents. Illinois forcing 13.8 turnovers per game while grabbing 7.5 Steals and two blocks. The Fighting Illini is led by Kofi Cockburn who is averaging 15.4 points per game, 10.5 rebounds in 1.4 blocks, while A. Dosunmu who is averaging 14.8 points 3.1 rebounds 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game. These guys are emotional players that will be lost without a crowd.
MISSOURI TIGERS
The Missouri Tigers are averaging 66 points per game while shooting 42% from the field. On the defensive end, the Tigers are allowing 57 points on 37% field goal shooting only 27% from 3. Missouri Tigers are forcing 14.7 turnovers a game averaging 5.7 steals and 2.1 blocks of the defensive end from their opponents. The Missouri Tigers are led by Mark Smith 12.9 points per game 5 rebounds while along with D Smith is averaging 10.8 points per game 4 assists per game 1.9 steals per game and J. Tillman is adding 9.7 points per game.
D. Smith has connected on 31.8 percent of the 22 3-pointers he’s attempted and has made 2 of 4 over his last three games. He’s also converted 87.9 percent of his free throws this season. M. Smith has attempted 66 3-pointers and connected on 40.9 percent of them and is 9 of 20 over the last three games.
ILLINOIS vs MISSOURI PREDICTION
The Fighting Illini are going to struggle offensively in this tough defensive matchup with the Missouri Tigers they spend the ball wall and forced turnovers and put teams in a pressure situation. Fighting Illini struggle with breaking the press and the Tigers will slow this game down keep it low scoring and give Missouri a huge advantage. The Temple of this game will be controlled by the Tigers and Missouri will end up on top.
TRENDS
ILLINOIS
- Under is 5-2 in Fighting Illini last 7 overall.
- Fighting Illini are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games.
MISSOURI
- Under is 5-0 in Tigers last 5 games following a straight-up win.
- Over is 6-1 in Tigers last 7 neutral site games.
- Under is 5-1 in Tigers last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
HEAD TO HEAD
- Underdog is 3-1-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
BETTING ANGLES:
Bookie Analysis: Missouri +3 / Over 129
Fade the Public: Missouri +3 / Over 129
Sharp Action: Missouri +3 / no data
Illinois vs Missouri Prediction & Analysis – College Basketball