Eastern Illinois Panthers vs Illinois Fighting Illini NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/4/24

Betting on today’s Panthers and Fighting Illini game? Catch the action at State Farm Center in Champaign, IL, as the Fighting Illini hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on B1G+. The odds for this non-conference game currently have Illinois as the -25.5 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 145.5 points.

EASTERN ILLINOIS PANTHERS VS ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI BETTING PICK

The Pick: Eastern Illinois Panthers +25.5

This game will be played at State Farm Center at 8:00 ET on Monday, November 4th.

WHY BET THE EASTERN ILLINOIS PANTHERS:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-69 in favor of the Fighting Illini.
  • Even though we have Illinois winning straight-up, we like Eastern Illinois at +25.5.
  • The over/under is currently sitting at 145.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 146 points.

Can the Panthers Offense Score Enough in Champaign?

Eastern Illinois Panthers Records

Eastern Illinois finished last season with a 10-18 overall record, going 8-11 in Ohio Valley Conference play. At home, they were 6-6, but struggled on the road, posting a 4-12 mark.

The Panthers were 15-12 against the spread, with a 10-5 road ATS record. They were 6-1 straight-up when favored and 5-2 ATS in those games. Their over/under record was 9-17-2, with an average game score of 135.8 points.

Eastern Illinois Panthers Offense Stats

Last season, Eastern Illinois averaged 68.9 points per game, ranking 317th in possessions per game with 62.2. They struggled with shooting, posting a 42% field goal percentage (339th) and a 46% effective field goal percentage (371st). Their two-point percentage was 46%, placing them 380th nationally.

The Panthers made 5.6 three-pointers per game, shooting 32% from beyond the arc, ranking 335th and 341st, respectively. They attempted 17.5 threes per game (334th) and made 11.9 free throws per game (300th).

Eastern Illinois Panthers Top Returning Offensive Players

Nakyel Shelton: G

  • Games: 29 (Last Year)
  • PPG: 11 (Last Year)
  • Assists: 1.9 (Last Year)
  • Rebounds: 4.4 (Last Year)

Corey Sawyer Jr: G

  • Games: 29 (Last Year)
  • PPG: 8.9 (Last Year)
  • Assists: 1.6 (Last Year)
  • Rebounds: 2.3 (Last Year)

Eastern Illinois allowed 67.9 points per game last season, ranking 67th in the nation. Opponents shot 30.6% from three-point range against them, placing the Panthers 124th in that category. They also gave up 17.6 free throws per game, ranking 139th.

In terms of turnovers, Eastern Illinois averaged 8.1 steals per game, ranking 49th nationally. However, they struggled with shot-blocking, averaging just 3 blocks per game, which placed them 255th in the country.

Will the Fighting Illini Pull Through as the Favored Home Team?

Illinois Fighting Illini Records

Illinois finished last season with a 26-8 overall record, going 17-6 in Big Ten play. At home, they were 19-3, with an average scoring margin of +13.3 points per game. On the road, they went 7-5, with a +5.7 scoring margin.

Against the spread, Illinois was 18-14, including an 8-3 road record. They were 23-5 straight-up when favored and 3-3 as the underdog. Their over/under record was 24-10, with their games averaging 158.2 points per game.

Illinois averaged 84.4 points per game last season, ranking 101st in possessions per game with 66. They shot 47% from the field, placing 73rd, and had an effective field goal percentage of 53%, ranking 81st. The Illini made 8.3 three-pointers per game on 34% shooting, ranking 94th in makes and 136th in percentage. They were 12th in free throws made per game with 17.5.

Returning for Illinois are Tre White and Ben Humrichous. White averaged 12.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 29 games last season. Humrichous averaged 14.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 24 games.

Illinois struggled defensively last season, allowing 73.8 points per game, which ranked 222nd in the nation. Opponents shot 34% from beyond the arc, placing Illinois 343rd in 3-point percentage defense. The Illini were 127th in free throws allowed, giving up 17.4 per game.

Illinois averaged 3.8 blocks per game, ranking 117th, but were last in the nation in steals, with just 4.2 per game.