Wisconsin Badgers vs Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/17/2024

Game Time: 3:30 pm ET, Sunday, March 17, 2024

Venue:  Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

Where to Watch:  CBS

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Wisconsin +2.5, Illinois -2.5; Over/Under:  149.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Wisconsin +2.5, Illinois -2.5; Over/Under:  149.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Wisconsin +2.5, Illinois -2.5; Over/Under:  150.5 points

Wisconsin Badgers:  22-12 (11-9) (5th place, Big Ten)

Illinois Fighting Illini:  25-8 (14-6) (2nd place, Big Ten)

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Wisconsin Badgers:  4-1  last 5

Illinois Fighting Illini:  4-1  last 5

Wisconsin is entering this game with a 22-12 record overall, an 11-9 record in conference games, and they are 5-0 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Purdue Boilermakers in their last game. Chucky Hepburn led the team in points per game in that game with 22 while AJ Storr was next on the team with 20. Max Klesmit led the team in assists with 5 in that game while AJ Storr led the team in rebounds with 6. They were 43.2% from the field, 21.9% from 3-point range, and 55.6% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 74.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 69.1 PPG against them. Wisconsin has an ATS record of 16-17-1 this season and their O/U record is 22-12.

Illinois is entering this game with a 25-8 record overall, a 14-6 conference record, and they are 4-0 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in their last game. Terrence Shannon Jr. led the team in points in that game with 40 while Marcus Domask was next on the team with 16. Marcus Domask led the team in assists with 8 in that game while Ty Rodgers led the team in rebounds with 13. They were 46.4% from the field, 37.1% from 3-point range, and 80.8% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 83.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 73 PPG against them. Illinois has an ATS record of 17-13-3 this season and their O/U record is 23-10.

The current betting odds have Wisconsin listed as a 2.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Wisconsin has looked good in their games this season with their 22-12 record overall and their 11-9 conference record which has them in the top half of the Big Ten. They have also looked great in their neutral site games this season with their 5-0 record in those. Meanwhile, Illinois has also looked really good in their games this season with their 25-8 record overall which has them ranked inside the top 25 teams in the country. They have looked great in the Big Ten all season with their 14-6 conference record which has them right near the top of the conference and they have also been great in their neutral site games with their 4-0 record in those. Both of these teams have been hot coming into this one but Wisconsin has a lot more momentum on their side right now. Illinois struggled to get ahead of Nebraska in their last game before pulling away late while Wisconsin is going to have a ton of momentum after beating Purdue in their last one. Wisconsin did need OT to win that game but they were giving Purdue trouble all night, right to the end of the game. Wisconsin won't allow Illinois to get out to a big lead here as they ride their momentum, look for them to get the job done and win the Big Ten Conference Tournament. The best way to place a bet here is on Wisconsin to cover the spread in this game. 

Wisconsin Illinois Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Sunday, March 17, 2024 (3:30 pm ET start time) is Wisconsin 81 Illinois 79.

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Wisconsin Badgers: 12-5 ATS in all neutral court games. 13-5 ATS in all tournament games. 8-2 ATS when playing with one or less days rest. 22-12 OVER in all games. 14-5 OVER when the total is 140 to 149.5. 17-6 OVER against conference opponents.

Illinois Fighting Illini: 3-8 ATS as a neutral court favorite or pick. 5-10 ATS in all tournament games. 7-13 ATS in a neutral court game where the total is 145 to 149.5. 23-10 OVER in all games. 18-9 OVER as a favorite. 17-5 OVER against conference opponents. 17-5 OVER after one or more consecutive overs.

Wisconsin Badgers:  I. Lindsey (G) day-to-day - Undisclosed. I. Gard (G) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed. G. Yalden (F) Out indefinitely - Personal.

Illinois Fighting Illini:  M. Williams (G) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed.

“There’s so much parity in college basketball. You have to not put your head down. ... Not feel sorry for yourself.” - Greg Gard after his team’s win against Purdue in their last game on Saturday.

“He’s handled it like a professional. He knows there’s a serious situation out there. He’s been an unbelievable teammate.” - Brad Underwood after his team’s win against Nebraska in their last game on Saturday.

S. Crowl 

C. Hepburn 

M. Klesmit 

A. Storr 

T. Wahl

M. Domask 

Q. Guerrier 

C. Hawkins 

T. Rodgers 

T. Shannon

PPG: A. Storr (16.2)

APG: C. Hepburn (3.7)

Reb/G: S. Crowl (7.5)

PPG: T. Shannon Jr. (21.6)

APG: M. Domask (3.5)

Reb/G: Q. Guerrier (6.7)

Coaches:

Wisconsin Badgers: Greg Gard (9th season)

Illinois Fighting Illini: Brad Underwood (7th season)