Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Picks Predictions Odds

The Iowa Hawkeyes (22-8, 12-7 Big-10) will travel to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini (21-8, 14-5 Big-10). Sunday’s Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois and can be viewed on FS1.  

Score Prediction

Illinois 80, Iowa 77 

Best Bet

Over 153.5 (-110)

IOWA HAWKEYES vs. ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI PREDICTIONS

The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated Michigan 82-71 in their most recent game. Iowa was extremely efficient on the offensive end of the floor, shooting 52.6% from the field and 57.9% from beyond the arc. Iowa also did a nice job on defense with 10 steals and six blocks. The Hawkeyes have now won five straight and eight of their last 10 games. 

Illinois defeated Penn State 60-55 in their most recent game. The Illini did not have their best night, shooting 36.1% from the field and 32.1% from three. Free-throws saved the Illini in this one, shooting 15-17 from the line while Penn State shot just 1-3 from the charity strike. Illinois has now won two straight and seven of their last 10.  

The teams have met one time this season with Illinois winning on the road 87-83. Illinois dominated the glass 52-24 but also had 18 turnovers on offense compared to Iowa’s four. I like the over in this one. Iowa has scored over 80 points in each of their last four games and Illinois has done so in two of their last three.  

IOWA HAWKEYES vs. ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI BETTING ODDS

• Iowa +140
• Illinois -165
• Iowa +3.5 (-110)
• Illinois -3.5 (-110)
• Over 153.5 (-110)
• Under 153.5 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

IOWA HAWKEYES vs. ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI BETTING RESOURCES

• Matchup: Big 10
• Date: Sunday, March 6, 2022
• Venue: State Farm Center
• Location: Champaign, Illinois 
• TV-Time: FS1 - 7:30 p.m. ET

• Injury Report
• Wooden Award Odds
• Conference Futures Market
• Power Rankings

IOWA HAWKEYES BETTING ANALYSIS

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

• SU: 22-8
• ATS: 18-12
• O/U: 19-10-1

Iowa has been profitable on the season with an ATS record of 18-12. The Hawkeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last five games and 6-4 ATS in their last 10. In their last nine matchups against Illinois, The Hawkeyes have gone 6-3 ATS. The total has gone over in 19 of Iowa’s 30 games this season. Going against this trend, the total has gone under in four of Iowa’s last five games.  

Iowa’s offense is led by sophomore guard Keegan Murray who averages 23.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 1.3 APG. As a team, the Hawkeyes average 83.6 PPG (5th), 46 FG% (73rd), 35.8 3PT% (75th), 15.8 APG (28th), and 37.5 RPG (59th). Iowa did a nice job protecting the ball in the first matchup with just four turnovers. If they can do the same in this game, they have a chance to win this outright.  

The Hawkeye's defense is not the greatest by any means, but has been a nice compliment to their high scoring on offense. On the season, Iowa is allowing opponents 70.9 PPG (227th), 43.7 FG% (206th), 33.1 3PT% (162nd), while averaging 7.6 SPG (80th), and 4.5 BPG (49th). Iowa forced 18 turnovers in the first matchup and would expect them to apply the same pressure in this one.  

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI BETTING ANALYSIS

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

• SU: 21-8
• ATS: 11-14
• O/U: 17-12

llinois has disappointed bettors with an ATS record of13-16. In their last 10 games the fighting Illini are 8-2 SU and 6-4 ATS. The total has gone over in 17 of Illinois’s 29 games, but has gone under in four of the last five games. Following this recent trend, the total has gone under in four of the last six games against the Hawkeyes.  

The Illini offense is led by junior center Kofi Cockburn who is averaging 21.0 PPG, 10.5 RPG, and .8 APG. As a team, Illinois averages 76.3 PPG (53rd),45.7 FG% (86th), 36.7 3PT% (47th), 15.4 APG (40th), and 38.6 RPG (37th). The Illini will try and control the glass again in this matchup as they grabbed 52 total rebounds in the first meeting, with 19 of those coming on the offensive end.  

Illinois’s defense has struggled against ranked opponents this season, allowing 78 PPG in seven games. Against all opponents the Illini have given up 67.6 PPG (129th), 41.33 FG% (70th), 32 3PT% (100th), while averaging 5.3 SPG (300th), and 2.9 BPG (216th). The Illini will need to defend the deep ball as Iowa has shot over 40 3PT% in three of their last four games.   

INSIDE THE STATS - IOWA HAWKEYES

• Record: 22-8
• PS/G: 83.6 (5th)
• PA/G: 70.9 (233rd)
• ORtg: 117.1 (4th)
• DRtg: 99.3 (170th)

INSIDE THE STATS - ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI

• Record: 19-9
• PS/G: 76.3 (53rd)
• PA/G: 67.6 (133rd)
• ORtg: 110.3 (37th)
• DRtg: 97.7 (122nd)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

• IOWA: Keegan Murray - F (23.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg)
• IOWA: Jordan Bohannon - G (11.2 ppg)
• ILL: Kofi Cockburn - C (21 ppg, 10.5 rpg)
• ILL: Alfonso Plummer - G (15.1 ppg)

IOWA HAWKEYES vs. ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI BETTING CONCLUSION

This game should be back and forth throughout, similar to the first matchup. Both teams will look to gain some momentum headed into the Big-10 tournament which starts on Wednesday, March 9th. I’m not sure there is solid bet on the spread with it being just three points. I do, however, think the total is the right play in this one. Both teams have been scoring as of late and I think that it should be no different on Sunday. Taking the over 154 here.  

IOWA HAWKEYES vs. ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI BETTING TRENDS

• Iowa has covered the spread in four of its last six games when playing as the underdog.
• Illinois has gone OVER the point total in 17 of its last 29 games.
• Iowa has gone OVER the point total in 19 of its last 30 games.
• Iowa has covered the spread in six of its last eight games.