Illinois Fighting Illini vs Northwestern Wildcats Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/24/2024

Game Time: 9:00 pm ET, Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Venue:  Welsh Ryan Arena, Evanston, IL

Where to Watch:  Big Ten Network

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Illinois -4.5, Northwestern +4.5; Over/Under:  147.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Illinois -4.5, Northwestern +4.5; Over/Under:  147.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Illinois -4.5, Northwestern +4.5; Over/Under:  147.5 points

Illinois Fighting Illini:  14-4 (5-2) (3rd place, Big Ten)

Northwestern Wildcats:  13-5 (4-3) (4th place, Big Ten)

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Illinois Fighting Illini:  3-2  last 5

Northwestern Wildcats:  3-2  last 5

Illinois is entering this game with a 14-4 record overall, a 5-2 record in conference games, and they are 2-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in their last game. Justin Harmon led the team in points per game in that game with 18 while Terrence Shannon Jr. was next on the team with 16. Marcus Domask led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Quincy Guerrier led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 50.8% from the field, 22.2% from 3-point range, and 59.3% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 82.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 67.5 PPG against them. Illinois has an ATS record of 10-5-3 this season and their O/U record is 11-7.

Northwestern is entering this game with a 13-5 record overall, a 4-3 conference record, and they are 9-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in their last game. Brooks Barnhizer led the team in points in that game with 24 while Ryan Langborg was next on the team with 15. Boo Buie led the team in assists with 7 in that game while Brooks Barnhizer led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 38.1% from the field, 32.3% from 3-point range, and 64.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 72.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 67.4 PPG against them. Northwestern has an ATS record of 7-9-2 this season and their O/U record is 10-7-1.

The current betting odds have Northwestern listed as a 4.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Northwestern has looked really good in their games this season with their 13-5 record overall which has them near the top of the conference right now. They have looked good in their games against other Big Ten opponents with their 4-3 conference record and they have also looked a lot better in their home games with their 9-1 home record. They have some impressive wins on their home court too like their win against Purdue earlier this season. Meanwhile, Illinois has also looked good in their games this season with their 14-4 record overall which has them ranked inside the top 25 teams in the country. They have looked really good in their conference games with their 5-2 conference record which has them right near the top of the Big Ten. They haven't looked as good in their road games though with their 2-2 road record and Northwestern hasn't been an easy team to beat at home. Northwestern has already taken down ranked teams on their home court this season and they will be looking to take down another in this game. Even if Illinois finds a way to win this game, Northwestern will fight to keep this close and this could be a game that Illinois wins by just a couple of points. Northwestern also has the potential to pull off an upset win here with the way they have played on their home court this season so the value is with them. The best way to place a bet here is on Northwestern to cover the spread in this game. 

Illinois Northwestern Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Wednesday, January 24, 2024 (9:00 pm ET start time) is Northwestern 82 Illinois 78.

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Illinois Fighting Illini: 11-5 ATS in all games. 5-1 ATS against conference opponents. 7-1 ATS after successfully covering the spread in 2 or more consecutive games. 6-1 OVER after scoring 85 points or more. 17-9 OVER after a win by 15 points or more. 9-3 OVER after 2 consecutive covers as a favorite.

Northwestern Wildcats: 5-12 ATS revenging a road loss vs opponent. 5-10 ATS revenging a loss where the opponent scored 75 or more points. 6-0 OVER against conference opponents. 7-2 OVER after one or more consecutive overs. 8-4 OVER revenging a loss vs opponent of 10 points or more.

Illinois Fighting Illini:  A. Hansberry (F) Out indefinitely - Back. S. Harris (G) out for season - Redshirt.

Northwestern Wildcats:  P. Strauss (G) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed.

“You could tell he was tired at times. He integrated in a nice way. He was pretty solid.” Brad Underwood on Terrence Shannon Jr after his team’s win against Rutgers in their last game on Sunday.

“We have to continue to improve because the teams you play against are getting better. The level of teams you play against, the coaches, the environments, you have to get better in all areas.” - Chris Collins after his team’s loss against Nebraska in their last game on Sunday.

M. Domask 

Q. Guerrier 

C. Hawkins 

T. Rodgers 

T. Shannon

B. Barnhizer 

T. Berry 

B. Buie 

R. Langborg 

M. Nicholson

PPG: T. Shannon Jr. (21.3)

APG: M. Domask (3.3)

Reb/G: Q. Guerrier (7.9)

PPG: B. Buie (17.9)

APG: B. Buie (5.2)

Reb/G: B. Barnhizer (6.7)

Coaches:

Illinois Fighting Illini: Brad Underwood (7th season)

Northwestern Wildcats: Chris Collins (11th season)