Tennessee Volunteers vs Illinois Fighting Illini NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/14/24

Don’t miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Volunteers and Fighting Illini. The game is starting at 5:30 ET on FOX, and it’s hosted by the Fighting Illini at State Farm Center in Champaign, IL. Get ready to place your bets! Tennessee is favored by -1.5 in this non-conference contest against Illinois. The game’s over/under currently sits at 147 points.

TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS VS ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI BETTING PICK

The Pick: Illinois Fighting Illini +1.5

This game will be played at State Farm Center at 5:30 ET on Saturday, December 14th.

WHY BET THE ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 79-67 in favor of the Fighting Illini.
• Not only will Illinois pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +1.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 147 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.

Do the Volunteers Have What it Takes in Champaign?

Tennessee moved to 9-0 on the season with a 75-62 home win over Miami on Tuesday. The Volunteers were -15 point favorites going into the game, but they didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game were 137, which was under the O/U line of 145.

Tennessee took control early, leading 38-25 at halftime. They scored 37 points in the second half while allowing 37 points to Miami, showing some defensive lapses as the game went on.

Chaz Lanier led the way for Tennessee with 22 points, hitting 4 of 7 from deep and shooting 53.3% overall. Igor Miličić Jr. and Lynn Kidd both contributed 16 points, with Kidd also grabbing 12 rebounds. Zakai Zeigler dished out 10 assists and added 13 points, despite struggling from three-point range, hitting just 1 of 5 attempts.

The Volunteers shot 48.1% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc, with an effective field goal percentage of 57.7%. They connected on 15 of 18 free throws, good for 83.3%, and recorded 15 assists as a team. Offensive rebounding was limited, as they grabbed just 5 boards on that end.

Even though Tennessee allowed 62 points, they struggled to contain the opposing team, who shot 48% from the field. The Volunteers gave up 15 two-point baskets on 27 attempts, a 55% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, Tennessee’s defense allowed 10 threes on 25 attempts, with the other team shooting 40%. They also sent the opposition to the free-throw line 18 times, where they made 15 free throws, shooting 83%.

Can the Fighting Illini Offense Score Enough at Home?

Illinois Fighting Illini Recent Game/Games

Illinois improved to 7-2 on the season with an 86-80 home win over Wisconsin on Tuesday. The Illini were -7.5 favorites going into the game but didn’t cover the spread.

After leading 39-35 at halftime, Illinois scored 47 points in the 2nd half while allowing 45. The game’s total points of 166 went over the 153.5 O/U line.

Illinois put up 86 points in their last game, shooting 42.2% from the field. They connected on 54.8% of their two-point attempts, but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 30.3% of their threes (10/33). Their effective field goal percentage was 50%, and they were impressive at the free-throw line, converting 22 of 25 attempts (88%).

Kasparas Jakucionis led the way with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, shooting 53.3% overall and 50% from three (4/8). Tre White added 23 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 75% from the field and hitting 2 of 3 from deep. Illinois also grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and dished out 15 assists in the win.

Illinois gave up 80 points in their latest game, with their opponents shooting 42% from the field on 27 of 64 attempts. Inside the arc, Illinois allowed their opponents to shoot 54%, as they connected on 17 of 31 two-point attempts.

From three-point range, Illinois held their opponents to 30% shooting, with 10 made threes on 33 attempts. However, Illinois sent their opponents to the free-throw line 25 times, where they hit 22 free throws, an 88% clip. Illinois also allowed 15 offensive rebounds.