It will be a battle between Big 10 opponents when the Illinois Fighting Illini (5-13, 1-6 Big 10) welcome the Wisconsin Badgers (12-6, 4-3 Big 10) to the State Farm Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 23, 2019.
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini ATS Prediction
The Badgers will be looking for a similar result after topping the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines in their last matchup, 64-54. The Badgers forced 16 turnovers, while the Wolverines had a free throw rate of 0.093 (below their season average of 0.214). Wisconsin was led by Ethan Happ, who was the top scorer from either team with 26 points on 12-for-22 shooting.
In the Fighting Illini’s last game, they got blown out by the No. 23 Iowa Hawkeyes, 95-71. Iowa’s free throw rate was their largest advantage over Illinois. The Hawkeyes had a rate of 0.240 (below their season average of 0.379), while the Fighting Illini posted a mark of 0.087 (below their season average of 0.183). Illinois’ Ayo Dosunmu had a good performance, leading the team in scoring with 15 points on 6-for-15 shooting.
After the Badgers won both games against the Fighting Illini last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last matchup, Wisconsin won 78-69. The Badgers had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.617 vs. 0.464) and had a better free throw rate (0.426 vs. 0.327).
Illinois may have difficulty getting to the free throw line in this contest. The Fighting Illini currently rank 321st in the country with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.178, while Wisconsin ranks 39th in FTA rate allowed (0.182). Furthermore, the Badgers rank 50th in effective field goal percentage (0.550), while the Fighting Illini rank 294th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.531).
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Wisconsin, ATS Winner – Illinois, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Illinois ranks 47th in steals per game (7.8) while Wisconsin ranks 163rd (5.6).
The Badgers rank 17th in assists allowed per game (10.2) while the Fighting Illini rank 124th (13.1).
Wisconsin ranks 68th in blocks per game (3.9) while Illinois ranks 129th in blocks allowed per game (4.0).
The Fighting Illini rank 21st in three pointers allowed per game (18.6) while the Badgers rank 62nd (20.2).
Wisconsin ranks 199th in rebounds per game (34.5) while Illinois ranks 231st (33.7).
Bettings Trends:
The Badgers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.8, down from 10.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Fighting Illini have scored an average of 73.2 points per game (1.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 76.6 points per game (1.2 above their season average).
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