Illinois Fighting Illini vs Tennessee Volunteers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 12/09/2023

Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Saturday, December 9, 2023

Venue:  Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, Knoxville, TN

Where to Watch:  CBS

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Illinois +6, Tennessee -6; Over/Under:  145.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Illinois +6, Tennessee -6; Over/Under:  145.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Illinois +6, Tennessee -6; Over/Under:  145.5 points

Illinois Fighting Illini:  7-1 (1-0) (2nd place, Big Ten)

Tennessee Volunteers:  5-3 (0-0) (12th place, SEC)

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Illinois Fighting Illini:  5-0  last 5

Tennessee Volunteers:  2-3  last 5

Illinois is entering this game with a 7-1 record overall and they are 1-0 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Florida Atlantic Owls in their last game. Marcus Domask and Terrence Shannon Jr. each led the team in points in that game with 33 while Justin Harmon was next on the team with 10. Marcus Domask and Ty Rodgers each led the team in assists with 3 in that game while Marcus Domask led the team in rebounds with 6. They were 63.2% from the field, 40% from 3-point range, and 90% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 80.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 62.4 PPG against them. Illinois has an ATS record of 4-4 this season and their O/U record is 3-5.

Tennessee is entering this game with a 5-3 record overall and they are 3-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the George Mason Patriots in their last game. Jonas Aidoo led the team in points in that game with 17 while Josiah-Jordan James was next on the team with 15. Zakai Zeigler and Josiah-Jordan James each led the team in assists with 6 in that game while Jonas Aidoo led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 48.5% from the field, 34.6% from 3-point range, and 63.6% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 77.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 66.9 PPG against them. Tennessee has an ATS record of 4-4 this season and their O/U record is 5-3.

The current betting odds have Illinois listed as a 6 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Illinois has looked really good this season with their 7-1 record overall. Their only loss this season was at home against Marquette but since that loss they have looked a lot better in their games with 5 wins in a row now. They also have some nice wins during that time as they have beaten Rutgers on the road in a conference game and even beat the ranked FAU at a neutral site in their last one. Meanwhile, Tennessee got off to a hotter start this season but they haven't looked as good in their games lately. They are only 5-3 overall this season and even though they are 3-0 in their home games, they haven't really been beating any good teams. Their 3 losses this season were all against ranked teams with losses to Purdue, Kansas, and North Carolina and even though they have home advantage here, Illinois is another ranked team that has looked really good lately. Illinois has the momentum on their side too from their win against FAU and even if they lose this road game, they will keep it very close. The best way to place a bet here is on Illinois to cover the spread in this game. 

Illinois Tennessee Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, December 9, 2023 (12:00 pm ET start time) is Tennessee 74 Illinois 70.

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Illinois Fighting Illini: 10-19 ATS after successfully covering the spread in 4 or more consecutive games. 3-7 ATS after 2 straight games with 12 or less assists. 15-7 UNDER after scoring 75 points or more 5 straight games. 15-8 UNDER after successfully covering the spread in 4 or more consecutive games.

Tennessee Volunteers: 22-13 ATS as a home favorite or pick. 24-9 ATS after one or more consecutive overs. 12-5 ATS off a home blowout win by 20 points or more. 24-9 UNDER after one or more consecutive overs. 15-8 UNDER after scoring 80 points or more.

Illinois Fighting Illini:  N. Moretti (G) Ques Sat - Leg. S. Harris (G) out for season - Redshirt.

Tennessee Volunteers:  None.

“Obviously, those two were pretty special tonight. Heck of a college basketball game. That was terrific. It’s not often you shoot 63% and you need all of that to win.” - Brad Underwood after his team’s win against FAU in their last game on Tuesday.

“When we play the way we move the ball, we're going to get a lot of assists.” - Rick Barnes after his team’s win against GMU in their last game on Tuesday.

M. Domask 

Q. Guerrier 

C. Hawkins 

T. Rodgers 

T. Shannon

J. Aidoo 

J. James 

D. Knecht 

J. Mashack 

S. Vescovi

PPG: T. Shannon Jr. (21.6)

APG: T. Shannon Jr. (2.8)

Reb/G: Q. Guerrier (6.9)

PPG: D. Knecht (19)

APG: Z. Zeigler (3.9)

Reb/G: J. Aidoo (7.1)

Coaches:

Illinois Fighting Illini: Brad Underwood (7th season)

Tennessee Volunteers: Rick Barnes (9th season)