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College Basketball

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Predictions, Picks, Odds

Daniel Dobish
Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert
6 minute read

The Wisconsin Badgers (17-3, 8-2 Big Ten) travel to meet the Illinois Fighting Illini (15-5, 8-2) at State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill. on Wednesday for a Big Ten showdown. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 p.m., and the game can be viewed on Big Ten Network (BTN).

SCORE PREDICTION

Illinois 69, Wisconsin 67

BEST BETS

Wisconsin +7.5 (-110) at Atlantis

Under 140 (-110) at DraftKings

WISCONSIN BADGERS VS. ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI PREDICTIONS

Wisconsin picked up a win over Minnesota at home last time out, its second consecutive victory. However, the Badgers have failed to cover in three consecutive outings after five straight covers from Jan. 3-18. The Badgers hit 42% (24-of-57) from the field, including just 32% (6-of-19) from behind the 3-point line, while hitting 80% (12-of-15) from the free-throw line. The Badgers managed to take good care of the ball, too, turning it over seven times. Wisconsin also held a slight 31-to-29 edge in the rebound department.

Illinois picked up a pair of victories in the past week, two low-scoring wins at home against Michigan State and on the road against Northwestern. The win over the Spartans was 56-55, while edging the Wildcats 59-56. The offense has gone out the window lately. Kofi Cockburn hit 10-of-17 from the field in his return to the lineup after concussion, going for 22 points and nine rebounds. That's it, as every other player went for six or fewer points exception for Alfonso Plummer with nine points.

WISCONSIN BADGERS VS. ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI BETTING ODDS

  • Wisconsin +240
  • Illinois -260
  • Wisconsin +7.5 (-110)
  • Illinois -6.5 (-110)
  • Over 139.5 (-110)
  • Under 140 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

WISCONSIN BADGERS VS. ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI BETTING RESOURCES

  • Matchup: Big 10
  • Date: Wednesday, February 2, 2022
  • Venue: State Farm Center
  • Location: Champaign, Illinois
  • TV-Time: BTN - 9:00 p.m. ET

WISCONSIN BADGERS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 17-3
  • ATS: 12-8
  • O/U: 13-7

The Badgers have a pair of wins in the past week, but they're 0-3 ATS across the past three outings dating back to Jan. 21, an 86-74 loss at home against Michigan State. It's been a roller coaster ride against the number for Wisconsin, as the Badgers had a 5-0 ATS run from Jan. 3-18 prior to the 0-3 ATS skid. Prior to that 5-0 ATS run, the Badgers had an 0-3 ATS skid from Dec. 11-29, following a 6-0 ATS run from Nov. 22-Dec. 8.

Wisconsin has posted a 6-2 ATS record in the past eight games on the road, while going 6-1 ATS in the past seven on the road against teams with a winning home record. They're also 5-2-1 ATS in the past eight as an underdog, while also going 5-2-1 ATS in the past eight as a road 'dog. Wisconsin has cashed in five of the past seven against teams with a winning overall record, too.

For totals, the OVER has connected in eight of the past 10 games overall, while going 7-3 in the past 10 on the road. The OVER is 5-1 in the past six games as an underdog, while hitting the OVER at a 9-4-1 clip against teams with a winning overall record. The OVER is also 7-1 in the past eight following a straight-up win, too.

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 15-5
  • ATS: 9-11
  • O/U: 12-7-1

The Fighting Illini is on a season-high 0-4 ATS skid, matching an 0-4 ATS slid from Nov. 15-26 during the non-conference portion of the schedule. Prior to this skid, the Illini went 5-1 ATS against the number.

Illinois has really hit the skids on offense, averaging just 60.0 PPG across the past three outings, but the defense has yielded just 55.5 PPG in the past two games leading to a pair of victories. It's no surprise the UNDER has hit in each of the past two wins.

The Illini is also 0-4 ATS in the past four as a favorite, but they're 5-2 ATS in the past seven as a home favorite and 7-3 ATS in the past 10 against teams with a winning record. For totals, the OVER is 7-2-1 in the past 10 at home, while going 11-4-1 in the past 16 games overall. The OVER is also 9-4-1 in the past 14 games as a favorite. However, the UNDER is 6-2-1 in the past nine against teams wit ha winning mark.

In this series, home team is just 1-5 ATS in the past six meetings, but the favorite is 18-7-1 ATS in the past 26 meetings, which bodes well for the Illini.


Wisconsin has cashed in six of the past eight games on the road. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - WISCONSIN BADGERS

  • Record: 17-3
  • VI Ranking: 6
  • PS/G: 72.4 (158th)
  • PA/G: 66.5 (109th)
  • ORtg: 106.8 (95th)
  • DRtg: 98.0 (160th)

INSIDE THE STATS - ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI

  • Record: 15-5
  • VI Ranking: 23
  • PS/G: 77.2 (53rd)
  • PA/G: 65.8 (87th)
  • ORtg: 111.4 (30th)
  • DRtg: 95.0 (81st)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

  • WIS: Jonathan Davis - G (21.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.3 SPG)
  • WIS: Brad Davison - G (15.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 38.9 3P%)
  • ILL: Kofi Cockburn - C (21.1 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.0 BPG)
  • ILL: Alfonso Plummer - G (15.8 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.2 APG, 41.3 3P%)

WISCONSIN BADGERS VS. ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI BETTING CONCLUSION

The Badgers hit the road for Champaign, and the result of this game will shake up the logjam at the top of the Big Ten, with these teams and Michigan State each sitting at 8-2 inside the conference.

I like the Badgers, as they're not particularly flashy, but they generally get the job done. They've won four straight road games inside the conference dating back to a loss at Ohio State on Dec. 11 as five-point underdogs. Wisconsin has had difficulty against the spread lately, but I think they're going to have trouble against Illinois.

The Illini have also struggled against the number lately, but they have been tested while not playing their best basketball, gritting out a pair of wins over Michigan State and Northwestern. They're due for a hot shooting night, and what a good time for it with Wisconsin paying a visit. I think the Illini show some signs of life, but the Badgers are able to keep it close.

WISCONSIN BADGERS VS. ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI BETTING TRENDS

  • Wisconsin is 6-2 ATS in the past road games.
  • Wisconsin is 5-2-1 ATS in the past eight games as an underdog.
  • Wisconsin is 5-2 ATS in the past seven vs. winning teams.
  • Illinois is 0-4 ATS in the past four games overall.
  • Illinois is 0-4 ATS in the past four games as a favorite.
  • Illinois is 5-2 ATS in the past seven as a home favorite.
  • Illinois is 7-3 ATS in the past 10 vs. winning teams.
  • The OVER is 8-2 in the past 10 games for Wisconsin.
  • The OVER is 5-1 in the past six as an underdog for Wisconsin.
  • The OVER is 7-3 in the past 10 road games for Wisconsin.
  • The OVER is 9-4-1 in the past 14 vs. winning teams for Wisconsin.
  • The OVER is 11-4-1 in the past 16 games overall for Illinois.
  • The OVER is 7-2-1 in the past 10 home games for Illinois.
  • The OVER is 9-4-1 in the past 14 as a favorite for Illinois.
  • The UNDER is 6-2-1 in the past nine vs. winning teams for Illinois.
  • The favorite is 18-7-1 ATS in the past 26 meetings.
  • The road team is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings.

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Daniel Dobish

Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish
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