Illinois Fighting Illini vs Michigan Wolverines Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/18/2024

Game Time: 8:30 pm ET, Thursday, January 18, 2024

Venue:  Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, MI 

Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Illinois -1.5, Michigan +1.5; Over/Under:  153.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Illinois -1.5, Michigan +1.5; Over/Under:  153.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Illinois -1.5, Michigan +1.5; Over/Under:  153.5 points

Illinois Fighting Illini:  12-4 (3-2) (3rd place, Big Ten)

Michigan Wolverines:  7-10 (2-4) (13th place, Big Ten)

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Illinois Fighting Illini:  3-2  last 5

Michigan Wolverines:  1-4  last 5

Illinois is entering this game with a 12-4 record overall, a 3-2 record in conference games, and they are 1-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Maryland Terrapins in their last game. Marcus Domask led the team in points per game in that game with 26 while Luke Goode was next on the team with 13. Ty Rodgers led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Coleman Hawkins led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 32.8% from the field, 27.3% from 3-point range, and 79.2% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 81.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 67.4 PPG against them. Illinois has an ATS record of 8-5-3 this season and their O/U record is 9-7.

Michigan is entering this game with a 7-10 record overall, a 2-4 conference record, and they are 4-4 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Ohio State Buckeyes in their last game. Olivier Nkamhoua led the team in points in that game with 20 while Terrance Williams II was next on the team with 18. Dug McDaniel, Nimari Burnett, and Olivier Nkamhoua each led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Nimari Burnett led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 42.2% from the field, 52.2% from 3-point range, and 70% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 79.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 77 PPG against them. Michigan has an ATS record of 6-11 this season and their O/U record is 11-6.

The current betting odds have Michigan listed as a 1.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Michigan hasn't looked good in their games this season with their 7-10 record overall and their 2-4 conference record which has them near the bottom of the Big Ten. They have looked terrible in their games lately with only 1 win in their last 5, but that win came in their last game and now they have some momentum to build on coming into this one. Meanwhile, Illinois has looked great in their games this season with their 12-4 record overall and their 3-2 conference record which has them near the top of the Big Ten right now. They haven't looked nearly as good in their road games though with their 1-2 road record. Illinois has also been struggling a lot lately as 2 of their 4 losses have come in their last 5 games now. A big reason for Illinois' struggles has been the missing starter from their lineup and they haven't looked as good at all without Shannon on the court. Michigan hasn't looked good in their games lately either but they are coming off of that win and will have some momentum on their home court here. Michigan still has the talent to take advantage of Illinois in this situation with a weaker lineup. The best way to place a bet here is on Michigan to cover the spread in this game. 

Illinois Michigan Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Thursday, January 18, 2024 (8:30 pm ET start time) is Michigan 82 Illinois 78.

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Illinois Fighting Illini: 9-5 ATS in all games. 6-1 ATS at road when the line is +3 to -3. 25-14 ATS after one or more consecutive overs. 6-3 OVER when the total is 150 to 159.5. 6-3 OVER after 2 straight games making 78% of their free throws or better.

Michigan Wolverines: 6-11 ATS in all games. 9-16 ATS when the line is +3 to -3. 15-23 ATS after a game where they covered the spread. 11-6 OVER in all games. 29-19 OVER against conference opponents. 16-7 OVER off a win against a conference rival. 

Illinois Fighting Illini:  A. Hansberry (F) Ques Thurs - Back. N. Moretti (G) Out indefinitely - Leg. T. Shannon Jr. (G) Out indefinitely - Suspension. S. Harris (G) out for season - Redshirt.

Michigan Wolverines:  T. Jackson (F) Ques Thurs - Undisclosed. H. Hochberg (F) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed. C. Smith (G) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed.

“Maryland deserves all the credit. Every ounce of it. It's my fault for not getting these guys in the right frame of mind defensively. Now we can join the crowd. Every other top-10 team lost this week to an unranked team. Doesn't make it feel any better.” - Brad Underwood after his team’s loss against Maryland in their last game on Sunday.

“We have to step up each day and play the game. We need to take note of that and be the same way regardless of who’s there and who’s not there. We have to still step on the court and play our hearts out and try and win the game.” - Olivier Nkamhoua on his team this season.

M. Domask 

Q. Guerrier 

C. Hawkins 

T. Rodgers 

T. Shannon

N. Burnett 

D. McDaniel 

O. Nkamhoua 

T. Reed 

T. Williams

PPG: T. Shannon Jr. (21.7)

APG: M. Domask (3.2)

Reb/G: Q. Guerrier (7.3)

PPG: D. McDaniel (17.6)

APG: D. McDaniel (5)

Reb/G: O. Nkamhoua (7.5)

Coaches:

Illinois Fighting Illini: Brad Underwood (7th season)

Michigan Wolverines: Juwan Howard (5th season)