It will be a battle between Big 10 opponents when the Illinois Fighting Illini (6-15, 2-8 Big 10) welcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers (13-8, 3-7 Big 10) to the State Farm Center. The game is scheduled to begin at 2:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 2, 2019.
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Illinois Fighting Illini ATS Prediction
In the Cornhuskers’ last game, they were topped by the No. 24 Wisconsin Badgers, 62-51. Wisconsin’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Nebraska. The Badgers had a rate of 0.518 (below their season average of 0.549), while the Cornhuskers posted a mark of 0.317 (below their season average of 0.528). Isaiah Roby was the game’s leading scorer with 18 points on 5-for-13 shooting.
The Fighting Illini were beaten by the Minnesota Golden Gophers in their last matchup, 86-75. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Minnesota’s biggest advantages. They had 26 free throw attempts, while Illinois had 22. Trent Frazier had a solid game for Illinois, leading both teams in scoring with 30 points on 10-for-14 shooting.
This is the second game of the season between these two squads. James Palmer Jr. scored a game-high 23 points in the first matchup, in which the Cornhuskers defeated the Fighting Illini 75-60. The Cornhuskers made 25 of their 30 free throws (83.3 percent) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.543 vs. 0.456).
Illinois may have trouble getting to the charity stripe in this showdown. The Fighting Illini currently rank 305th in the country with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.190, while Nebraska ranks 53rd in FTA rate allowed (0.189). Additionally, the Cornhuskers commit the 12th-fewest errors in the country (turnover percentage of 15.2 percent), while the pesky defense of the Fighting Illini causes the 16th-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 23.7 percent).
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Illinois Fighting Illini Odds Pick
Free Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Illinois, ATS Winner – Illinois, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Nebraska ranks 110th in rebounds per game (36.6) while Illinois ranks 254th (33.0).
The Cornhuskers rank 46th in blocks per game (4.3) while the Fighting Illini rank 175th (2.2).
Nebraska ranks sixth in assists allowed per game (9.5) while Illinois ranks 126th (13.0).
The Cornhuskers average 8.1 steals per game, which ranks 28th in the nation. The Fighting Illini rank 58th in steals allowed per game (5.7).
Nebraska allows the 14th-fewest three pointers per game (18.3) while Illinois ranks 16th (18.4).
Bettings Trends:
The Cornhuskers have been outscored by an average of 3.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Nebraska has defeated opponents by an average of 12.7 points.
During their last five games, the Fighting Illini have scored an average of 75.8 points per game (2.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 77.6 points per game (2.2 above their season average).
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