The Illinois Fighting Illini (18-11) travel to face off against the Michigan Wolverines (22-6) on Sunday, March 2nd. This game will be played at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor and televised on CBS. Both team’s come into this one having won their previous games. Tip-off is set for 3:45 ET.

Illinois Fighting Illini vs Michigan Wolverines

The Fighting Illini Are Coming Off A Win

Illinois Fighting Illini Recent Game/Games

Illinois improved to 18-11 on the season with a convincing 81-61 win over Iowa on Tuesday. The Illini, who were -11 point favorites, covered the spread with the victory.

After leading 37-30 at halftime, Illinois clamped down defensively, holding Iowa to 31 points in the 2nd half while scoring 44 of their own. The game’s total points of 142 fell well short of the 169.5 O/U line.

The Wolverines Are Coming Off A Win

Michigan Wolverines Recent Game/Games

Michigan improved to 22-6 on the season with an 84-82 win over Rutgers on Thursday. The Wolverines were -9.5 point favorites going into the game, but they didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game were 166, surpassing the O/U line of 155.5.

Michigan trailed 57-49 at halftime but turned things around in the 2nd half, outscoring Rutgers 35-25 to secure the win. The Wolverines’ defense stepped up after the break, allowing just 25 points in the 2nd half.

Fighting Illini Offense Breakdown

Illinois put up 81 points in their latest game, shooting 50.8% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 57.1%, with a strong performance inside, hitting 67.6% on two-point attempts (23/34). From beyond the arc, they connected on 31% of their shots, going 9/29.

Tomislav Ivisic led the way with 22 points, shooting 69.2% overall and 40% from three (2/5), while adding 5 assists. Kylan Boswell also contributed 7 assists, scoring 15 points on 50% shooting. Brock Harding matched Boswell with 16 points, hitting 50% from the field and 50% from three (2/4).

Wolverines Offense Breakdown

Michigan’s offense shone in their latest game, putting up 84 points with a field goal percentage of 53.7%. Their effective field goal percentage was 59.3%, thanks to hitting 72.7% of their two-point attempts (24/33). However, they struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 23.8% (5/21).

Vladislav Goldin led the way with 24 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 81.8% from the field. Nimari Burnett added 20 points, hitting 2 of 5 from three-point range. Tyson Acuff also connected on 50% of his threes, going 4 for 8 and finishing with 16 points.

Fighting Illini Team Defense

Despite Illinois allowing 61 points, they struggled defensively, giving up 50% shooting from the field. The opposition went 32/63 overall, including a strong 67% from two-point range, hitting 23 of their 34 attempts.

From beyond the arc, Illinois held their opponent to 31% shooting, with 9 threes made on 29 attempts. They also sent them to the free-throw line 12 times, where they converted 8 for 66%. Illinois gave up 7 offensive rebounds in the game.

Wolverines Team Defense

Illinois gave up 61 points while allowing the opposing team to shoot 50% from the field, as they connected on 32 of 63 attempts.

Inside the arc, the Illini defense struggled, giving up 67% shooting on 23 of 34 two-point attempts. However, they held the other team to 31% from three-point range, with 9 made threes on 29 attempts.

Fighting Illini vs Wolverines Trends

• When looking at their past three road matchups, Illinois has an ATS record of 1-2 while averaging 80 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
• Across the Wolverines last five home games, the team averaged 67 points per game while allowing 70. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 2-3, while going 4-1 straight-up.
• As the betting underdog, the Fighting Illini have an ATS mark of just 3-6-1 in their last ten games. Illinois posted a straight up mark of 3-7 in these matchups.
• Over the team’s last three games as the favorite, the Wolverines struggled vs the spread going just 1-2. However, they still had a straight up mark of 2-1.

Fighting Illini vs Wolverines Prediction

We’re calling a win for the Wolverines, with a final score of 77-69, and we’re taking them to cover the spread. Our recommendation is to bet on the Wolverines at -3.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 159.5 and our model has the Fighting Illini and Wolverines finishing with a combined 146 points. Our pick is to take the under.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.