The Illinois Fighting Illini (10-3) travel to face off against the Washington Huskies (9-4) on Sunday, January 5th. This game will be played at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle and televised on BTN. Both team’s come into this one having won their previous games. Tip-off is set for 4:00 ET.

Illinois Fighting Illini vs Washington Huskies

The Fighting Illini Are Coming Off A Win

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 heading into the game but not only pulled off the upset, they covered the spread in convincing fashion.

Leading 45-38 at halftime, Illinois exploded for 64 points in the 2nd half while holding Oregon to 39. The game’s total points of 186 easily surpassed the over/under line of 155.5.

The Huskies Are Coming Off A Win

Washington Huskies Recent Game/Games

Washington improved to 9-4 on the season with a 75-69 home win over Maryland on Thursday. The Huskies entered the game as +6 point underdogs but pulled off the upset and covered the spread.

After trailing 33-30 at halftime, Washington turned things around in the 2nd half, scoring 45 points while holding Maryland to 36. The combined points of 144 fell just under the O/U line of 147.5.

Fighting Illini Offense Breakdown

Illinois put up 109 points in their last game, shooting 57.5% from the field and 55.2% from three-point range, hitting 16 of 29 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 68.5%, and they also 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 threes, while Kylan Boswell knocked down 4 of 5 from deep, finishing with 15 points and 4 assists.

Huskies Offense Breakdown

In their last game, the Huskies put up 75 points, shooting 45.6% from the field. They struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 5 of 24 attempts for a 20.8% rate, but connected on 63.6% of their two-point shots.

Julian Reese led the way with 22 points, shooting 75% from the field, while Great Osobor added 20 points and 14 rebounds. Vazoumana Diallo contributed 18 points and 6 assists, and DJ Davis hit 3 threes, finishing with 17 points.

Fighting Illini Team Defense

Illinois gave up 77 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 43% from the field. They allowed 25 field goals on 54 two-point attempts, a 46% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, the opposition hit 5 of 15 threes, shooting 33%. Illinois also sent them to the line 17 times, where they made 12 free throws, a 70% success rate. The Fighting Illini gave up 9 offensive rebounds.

Huskies Team Defense

Illinois gave up 77 points in their last game, with their opponents shooting 43% from the field, connecting on 30 of 69 attempts. Inside the arc, Illinois allowed 25 two-point baskets on 54 attempts, a 46% shooting rate.

From three-point range, Illinois’ defense held their opponents to 5 made threes on 15 attempts, a 33% shooting percentage. They also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 17 times, where they made 12, shooting 70%. Illinois allowed 9 offensive rebounds in the game.

Fighting Illini vs Huskies Trends

• Although Illinois has a straight up record of 3-2 in their last five road games, they have not held up as well vs. the spread going 2-3. The team averaged 75 points per game in these games.
• Although Washington has a straight up record of 4-6 in their last ten home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 6-4. The team averaged 70 points per game in these games.
• Looking back on the team’s last five games as the underdog, the Huskies have a straight up record of 2-3. Their record vs the spread in these games was 3-2.
• Spanning across their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Fighting Illini have gone 6-4 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 9-1.

Fighting Illini vs Huskies Prediction

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +8.5, the Huskies is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 155.5 and given that our model is projecting 146 points between the teams, we like 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.