The Northwestern Wildcats (12-7) travel to face off against the Illinois Fighting Illini (13-6) on Sunday, January 26th. This game will be played at State Farm Center in Champaign and televised on BTN. Northwestern is coming off a win in their previous game, while Illinois is looking to get back on track from a loss to the Maryland. Tip-off is set for 3:00 ET.
Northwestern Wildcats vs Illinois Fighting Illini
The Wildcats Are Coming Off A Win
Northwestern improved to 12-7 on the season with a 79-70 win over Indiana on Wednesday. The Wildcats were favored by five points going into the game and covered the spread with the victory. The total points for the game reached 149, surpassing the over/under line of 139.5.
After trailing 31-25 at halftime, Northwestern turned the game around by scoring 54 points in the second half while holding Indiana to 39 points.
The Fighting Illini Are Coming Off A Win
Illinois Fighting Illini Recent Game/Games
Illinois dropped to 13-6 on the season after a 91-70 home loss to Maryland on Thursday, January 23rd. The Illini were favored by 6 points but failed to cover the spread, and the game’s 161 total points went over the 157.5-point line.
After trailing 38-35 at halftime, Illinois allowed 53 points in the 2nd half while scoring just 35, leading to the lopsided final score.
Wildcats Offense Breakdown
Northwestern put up 79 points in their latest game, shooting 48.3% from the field and hitting 13 of 27 threes at a 48.1% clip. Their effective field goal percentage was 58.6%, and they grabbed 12 offensive rebounds while dishing out 18 assists.
Ty Berry led the way with 23 points, knocking down 7 of 10 threes, while Brooks Barnhizer added 21 points and 6 assists. Mackenzie Mgbako also contributed 20 points, and Nick Martinelli chipped in 18, shooting 66.7% from deep.
Fighting Illini Offense Breakdown
Illinois struggled from the field in their last game, shooting just 37.7% overall and 21.4% from three-point range, hitting only 6 of 28 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 42.6%, but they managed to convert 75% of their free throws, going 18 for 24.
Julian Reese was a standout, scoring 27 points and grabbing 17 rebounds, shooting 52.2% from the floor. Derik Queen also made a big impact, scoring 25 points on 76.9% shooting, while Kasparas Jakucionis contributed 21 points and 7 assists, despite missing all 4 of his three-point attempts.
Wildcats Team Defense
Northwestern’s defense gave up 70 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 48% from the field. They allowed 28 made field goals on 58 attempts.
From beyond the arc, the opposing team hit 13 of 27 threes, also at a 48% rate. Northwestern sent them to the line 17 times, where they made 10 free throws, shooting 58%.
Fighting Illini Team Defense
Northwestern’s defense gave up 70 points in their last game, with their opponents shooting 48% from the field. They allowed 28 made field goals on 58 attempts.
From three-point range, Northwestern’s defense gave up 13 threes on 27 attempts, also at a 48% clip. Their opponents went to the free-throw line 17 times, making 10 of those attempts.
Wildcats vs Fighting Illini Trends
- When looking at their past five road matchups, Northwestern has an ATS record of 4-1 while averaging 72 per game. The team went 1-4 overall in these games.
- In their last five games at home, the Fighting Illini have a straight up record of 4-1 while going 2-3 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 88 points per game in these contests.
- Looking back on the team’s last three games as the underdog, the Wildcats have a straight up record of 1-2. Their record vs the spread in these games was 2-1.
- Through their last five matchups as the betting favorite, the Fighting Illini have a good straight up record, but their ATS mark is just 2-3.
Wildcats vs Fighting Illini Prediction
For a point-spread bet in this Fighting Illini vs. Fighting Illini matchup, we’re leaning towards the Fighting Illini at -8.5. Although our projections show the Fighting Illini winning 76-70, we suggest placing your bet on the Wildcats for the point-spread.
As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 147.5, and our model projects the Wildcats and Fighting Illini to reach a combined total of 146 points. Our bet is on taking the under.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* 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.
Last updated:January 26, 2025 Illinois Fighting Illini, Northwestern Wildcats