GAME: #627 Minnesota vs #628 Illinois
TIME: 1/30/2020 – 7:30p EST
SPREAD: Illinois -5
TOTAL: 133.5
SPORTSBOOK: BetOnline.ag
The Minnesota Golden Gophers (11-9, 5-5) head south for a BIG 10 Conference road game against the #19 Illinois Fighting Illini (15-5, 7-2) at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. EST. In their last game, Minnesota lost at Michigan State by a score of 52-70 while Illinois had a big road win against Michigan by a score of 64-62. Last season these teams met twice, with each team winning on their home court by scores of 95-68 at Illinois and 86-75 at Minnesota.
MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are averaging 71 points per game on 42% field goal shooting adding eight 3-pointers and 9 offensive rebounds per game. Minnesota is allowing 66 points per game on 41% field-goal shooting while forcing 11.8 turnovers and adding 5.8 steals and 3.3 blocks per game on defense. The Golden Gophers are led by Daniel Oturu with 19.7 points 11.3 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game along with Marcus Carr who is adding 16.1, points 5.4 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game.
ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI
The #19 Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 81 points per game on 49% field goal shooting while adding 11.3 offensive rebounds(ranked #8 in NCAA) per game for some easy buckets. Illinois is allowing 61 points per game on 39% field-goal shooting while forcing 13.3 turnovers and adding 6.3 steals and 2.3 block on defense. The Fighting Illini are led by Ayo Dosunmu with 16.2 points and 3.5 assists along with Kofi Cockburn with 14.5 points 9.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.
MINNESOTA vs ILLINOIS PREDICTION
Illinois has won its last 6 games against conference opponents as the Fighting Illini is a much-improved team from last season and will bring a tough challenge for this Minnesota squad. Minnesota’s offensive production is not nearly as good when on the road as their offensive numbers drop quite a bit from 71 to only 61 points per game. Minnesota is 0-5 when they allow more than 72 points and 11-4 when they hold opponents to less than 72. Look for Illinois to continue winning with their offensive production to cover the spread.
TRENDS(from covers.com)
MINNESOTA
- Golden Gophers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 Thursday games.
- Golden Gophers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
- Under is 21-5-1 in Golden Gophers last 27 road games.
ILLINOIS
- Under is 5-1 in Fighting Illini last 6 games following a ATS win.
- Fighting Illini are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games.
- Fighting Illini are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning record.
HEAD TO HEAD
- Favorite is 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
- Home team is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
SPORTS BETTING ANGLES:
Bookie Analysis: Illinois -5 / Under 133.5
Fade the Public: Minnesota +5 / no data
Sharp Action: no data / no data
Minnesota vs #19 Illinois Prediction & Analysis – College Basketball