Illinois Fighting Illini vs Washington Huskies NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/5/25
Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Fighting Illini versus the Huskies? Tip off is at at 4:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on BTN. The game will be played at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, WA. Illinois is favored by -8.5 in this Big Ten conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 155.5 points.
ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI VS WASHINGTON HUSKIES BETTING PICK
The Pick: Washington Huskies +8.5
This game will be played at Alaska Airlines Arena at 4:00 ET on Sunday, January 5th.
WHY BET THE WASHINGTON HUSKIES:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 75-71 in favor of the Huskies.
- Not only will Washington pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +8.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 155.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.
Are the Fighting Illini Ready for a Win at Seattle?
Illinois improved to 10-3 on the season with a dominant 109-77 win over Oregon on Thursday. The Illini were +4.5 point underdogs going into the game, but not only pulled off the upset, they covered the spread in emphatic fashion.
Illinois led 45-38 at halftime and exploded for 64 points in the second half while holding Oregon to 39. The game’s total points reached 186, surpassing the pre-game over/under line of 155.5.
Illinois put up 109 points in their last game, shooting 57.5% from the field and hitting 16 of 29 threes for a 55.2% success rate. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 68.5%, and they connected on 81.8% of their free throws.
Tre White and Supreme Cook both scored 20 points, with White adding 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Ben Humrichous contributed 18 points, hitting 4 of 7 from deep, while Kylan Boswell knocked down 4 of 5 threes, finishing with 15 points and 4 assists.
Illinois gave up 77 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 43% from the field on 30 of 69 attempts. Inside the arc, Illinois allowed 25 of 54 shooting, or 46%.
From three-point range, the opposing team shot 33%, hitting 5 of 15 attempts. They also went 12 of 17 from the free-throw line, good for 70%. Illinois allowed 9 offensive rebounds.
Does Washington Have What it Takes to Win as Home Underdogs?
Washington Huskies Recent Game/Games
Washington improved to 9-4 on the season with a 75-69 win over Maryland on Thursday. The Huskies, who were +6 point underdogs, not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread.
After trailing 33-30 at halftime, Washington turned things around in the 2nd half, outscoring Maryland 45-36. The total points for the game were 144, just under the O/U line of 147.5.
In their last game, the Huskies put up 75 points, shooting 45.6% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 49.1%, with a strong performance inside, hitting 63.6% of their two-point attempts. However, they struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 5 of 24 threes for 20.8%.
Julian Reese led the way with 22 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 75% from the floor. Great Osobor added 20 points and 14 rebounds, shooting 66.7%. Vazoumana Diallo contributed 18 points and 6 assists, while DJ Davis hit 3 threes, finishing with 17 points.
Washington’s defense gave up 69 points, allowing the opposing team to shoot 45% from the field on 26 of 57 attempts. Inside the arc, they struggled, with the other team hitting 63% of their two-point shots, going 21 for 33.
From three-point range, Washington’s defense was more effective, holding the other team to just 5 of 24 shooting, or 20%. They also sent the opposing team to the free-throw line 23 times, where they converted 18 for 78%. Washington allowed 11 offensive rebounds.