GAME: #885 Iowa vs #886 Illinois
TIME: 1/29/2021 – 9:00p EST
SPREAD: Illinois -2.5
TOTAL: 161.5
The #7 Iowa Hawkeyes (12-3, 6-2) have a tough BIG 10 road game against the #19 Illinois Fighting Illini (10-5, 6-3) at the State Farm Center in Champagne, IL. Both teams will be playing their first games in over a week after Illinois’ scheduled matchup with Michigan State and Iowa’s planned matchup with Nebraska was postponed. Iowa is attempting to bounce back from an 81-69 loss to Indiana in its last outing back on Jan. 21. Illinois won its last game 79-65 over Penn State on Jan. 19 but had lost two straight before that. These teams met twice last season and both teams were victorious on their own home courts. The scores were 72-65 at Iowa and 78-76 at Illinois.
IOWA HAWKEYES
The Iowa Hawkeyes are averaging 90 points per game on 48% field-goal shooting along with 10 threes on 38% three-point shooting per game as well as 11 offensive rebounds. The Hawkeyes are allowing 73 points per game 41% field goal shooting while forcing 13 turnovers and adding 5.6 steals and 2.9 blocks per game on the defensive end. The Hawkeyes are led by Luka Garza who’s averaging 26.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.
ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI
The Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 82 points per game on 50% field goal shooting along with 7.6 threes on 39% three-point shooting per game on offense. Illinois is allowing 68 points per game on 40% field goal shooting while forcing 11 turnovers and adding 7 steals and 3.3 blocks per game on the defensive end. The Fighting Illini is led by Ayo Dosunmu who is averaging 21 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game.
TRENDS
IOWA
- Over is 4-0 in the Hawkeyes last 4 Friday games.
- Over is 5-1 in Hawkeye’s last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Over is 5-1 in Hawkeye’s last 6 road games.
ILLINOIS
- Under is 5-1 in Fighting Illini last 6 overall.
- Under is 5-1 in Fighting Illini last 6 games as a favorite.
- Under is 4-1 in Fighting Illini last 5 games as a home favorite.
- Under is 4-1 in Fighting Illini’s last 5 home games.
HEAD TO HEAD
- The home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
IOWA vs ILLINOIS PREDICTION PICK
Iowa is coming off a terrible performance and loss to the Hoosiers will have them focused for this game. Illinois has been inconsistent the entire month of January with problems on the offensive and defensive end. Garza is the key player for Iowa as always but Cockburn for Illinois is going to be the player to keep an eye on. Garza will be going at him every opportunity he has and offensively he is too much of a beast to tame. Cockburn often gets into foul trouble and without him on the floor, Illinois has little to no chance of winning this game. Considering Illinois’ offense has not looked good lately the Under has a good chance of coming in on this one if Illinois cannot put up over 75 points. Iowa should have no problem scoring, especially if they are knocking down the three’s from the outside. The Bookie is rolling with the Iowa Hawkeyes to cover the spread and most likely win outright.
BETTING ANGLES:
The Bookie: Iowa +2.5 / Under 161.5
Fade the Public: Iowa / Over
Sharp Action: Illinois / Under