Wisconsin Badgers vs Illinois Fighting Illini NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/10/24
Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Badgers versus the Fighting Illini? Tip off is at at 9:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on PEAC. The game will be played at State Farm Center in Champaign, IL. The over/under for this game is set at 154 points, and Illinois is favored by -6.5 vs. Wisconsin in a Big Ten conference matchup.
WISCONSIN BADGERS VS ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI BETTING PICK
The Pick: Illinois Fighting Illini -6.5
This game will be played at State Farm Center at 9:00 ET on Tuesday, December 10th.
WHY BET THE ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-69 in favor of the Fighting Illini.
- Not only will Illinois pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -6.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 154 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.
Can the Badgers Pull Off a Win at Champaign?
Wisconsin Badgers Recent Game/Games
The Badgers dropped to 8-2 on the season after a 88-74 road loss to Marquette on Saturday. Wisconsin entered the game as +6.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 162, surpassing the pre-game over/under line of 150.
Wisconsin led 39-37 at halftime but struggled defensively in the second half, allowing 51 points while scoring just 35.
In their last game, the Badgers put up 74 points, shooting 46.2% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc, hitting 10 of 26 threes. Their effective field goal percentage was 55.8%, and they connected on 88.9% of their free throws, going 16 for 18 at the line.
Kam Jones led the way with 32 points and 6 assists, shooting 57.1% overall and 42.9% from three. Max Klesmit added 22 points, hitting 6 of 11 threes at a 54.5% clip, while John Blackwell contributed 17 points, shooting 63.6% from the field.
Wisconsin’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 88 points on 50% shooting from the field. They allowed 23 two-point baskets on 36 attempts, a 63% success rate for their opponent.
From beyond the arc, Wisconsin’s opponent shot 30%, hitting 8 of 26 three-point attempts. The Badgers also sent them to the line 21 times, where they converted 18 free throws, an 85% rate. Wisconsin gave up 11 offensive rebounds.
Does Illinois Have What it Takes at Home?
Illinois fell to 6-2 on the season after a 70-66 road loss to Northwestern on Friday. The Illini, who were -3 favorites, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread.
Illinois led 27-24 at halftime but were outscored 32-29 in the second half. The game’s total points of 136 fell short of the O/U line of 143.
Illinois struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 37.3% from the field and 26.5% from three-point range, finishing with an effective field goal percentage of 44.8%. They managed only 7 offensive rebounds and hit 7 of 11 free throws, good for 63.6%.
Nick Martinelli led the way with 27 points on 11 of 20 shooting, while Kasparas Jakucionis added 20 points, hitting 6 of 10 threes and dishing out 7 assists. Brooks Barnhizer contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds, despite shooting 30.4% from the field.
Illinois held their opponent to 70 points on 38% shooting from the field, as they went 28/72. Inside the arc, the opponent shot 47%, making 24 of their 51 two-point attempts.
From three-point range, Illinois limited their opponent to just 4/21 shooting, a 19% success rate. The opponent also struggled at the free-throw line, hitting only 10 of 17 attempts, or 58%. Illinois gave up 10 offensive rebounds in the game.