The Iowa Hawkeyes (17-15) travel to face off against the Illinois Fighting Illini (20-11) on Thursday, March 13th. This game will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and televised on BTN. Both team’s come into this one having won their previous games. Tip-off is set for 6:30 ET.

Iowa Hawkeyes vs Illinois Fighting Illini

The Hawkeyes Are Coming Off A Win

The Hawkeyes improved to 17-15 on the season with a 77-70 road win over Ohio State on Wednesday. Iowa entered the game as +5.5 point underdogs and covered the spread with the win.

After trailing 37-37 at halftime, Iowa outscored the Buckeyes 40-33 in the 2nd half. The total points for the game ended at 147, falling short of the O/U line of 153.5.

The Fighting Illini Are Coming Off A Win

Illinois Fighting Illini Recent Game/Games

Illinois improved to 20-11 on the season with an 88-80 win over Purdue on Friday, March 7th. The Illini, who were -4.5 point favorites, covered the spread with the victory.

After trailing 42-40 at halftime, Illinois clamped down defensively, allowing just 38 points in the 2nd half while scoring 48 themselves. The game’s total points of 168 exceeded the O/U line of 159.5.

Hawkeyes Offense Breakdown

Iowa’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, shooting 54.7% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc, finishing with 77 points. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 64.2%, with their two-point shooting at 65.5% (19/29) and free-throw shooting at 90% (9/10).

Bruce Thornton led the way with 24 points and 9 assists, shooting 61.5% from the field. Payton Sandfort and Devin Royal each added 17 points, while Josh Dix and Micah Parrish contributed 16 points apiece. Brock Harding was perfect from three, hitting all 3 of his attempts and finishing with 15 points in 23 minutes.

Fighting Illini Offense Breakdown

Illinois put up 88 points in their last game, shooting 49.1% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 59.6%. They hit 63% of their two-point attempts and connected on 36.7% from beyond the arc, going 11-for-30 from three-point range. At the free-throw line, they were 21-of-25, good for 84%.

The Illini dished out 20 assists, with Braden Smith leading the way with 12 assists and 9 rebounds. Trey Kaufman-Renn was a force inside, scoring 29 points on 13-of-23 shooting, while Will Riley added 22 points, hitting 2-of-4 from three. Tre White contributed 20 points, shooting 77.8% overall and 60% from deep.

Hawkeyes Team Defense

Despite giving up 70 points, Iowa’s defense held their opponent to 42% shooting from the field, with 25 made baskets on 59 attempts. The Hawkeyes allowed 20 two-point field goals on 37 attempts, a 54% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, Iowa’s defense limited their opponent to just 5 made threes on 22 attempts, a 22% shooting performance. They also sent the opposing team to the free-throw line 20 times, where they converted 15 attempts, shooting 75%.

Fighting Illini Team Defense

Despite giving up 70 points, Iowa’s defense held their opponent to 42% shooting from the field, with 25 made baskets on 59 attempts. The Hawkeyes struggled to contain two-point shots, allowing a 54% success rate (20/37).

From beyond the arc, Iowa limited their opponent to just 5 made threes on 22 attempts, a 22% shooting performance. The Hawkeyes also sent them to the line 20 times, where they connected on 15 free throws, shooting 75%.

Hawkeyes vs Fighting Illini Trends

• Across their five previous road games, Iowa has an ATS mark of 2-3. Their straight up record in these matchups was 2-3 while averaging 70 points per game.
• Through their last five home games, Illinois has an ATS record of just 2-3. However, their overall record was 2-3 while averaging 81 points per game.
• Through their last three games as the underdog, the Hawkeyes have an ATS record of 2-1 and a straight up mark of 2-1.
• In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Fighting Illini have a strong straight up record of 4-1. In addition, their ATS record was 3-2 in these scenarios.

Hawkeyes vs Fighting Illini Prediction

For a pick on the point-spread in this Fighting Illini vs. Hawkeyes matchup, our bet is to grab the Hawkeyes at +10.5. Even though our projections have the Fighting Illini winning 76-71, we see the Hawkeyes as the play on the point-spread.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 166.5, and our model predicts the Hawkeyes and Fighting Illini to score a combined 147 points. We recommend betting on 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.