Arkansas Razorbacks vs Illinois Fighting Illini Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Arkansas vs Illinois NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Kansas City.

Arkansas vs Illinois Prediction

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Razorbacks versus the Fighting Illini? Tip off is at at 4:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on CBS. The game will be played at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO. The over/under for this game is set at 154.5 points, and Illinois is favored by -2.5 against Arkansas in a non-conference matchup.

Arkansas vs. Illinois Matchup At A Glance

  • Sport: NCAAB
  • Teams: Arkansas Razorbacks at Illinois Fighting Illini
  • Where: Kansas City at T-Mobile Center
  • Date: Thursday, November 28th
  • Betting Odds ILL -2.5, ARK +114 | ILL -138 O/U 154.5

Razorbacks Preview: Will the Razorbacks Win on the Road?

Arkansas Razorbacks Recent Game/Games

Arkansas dominated Maryland Eastern Shore on Monday, winning 109-35 at home. The Razorbacks, who were -35 point favorites, covered the spread with ease.

They led 60-15 at halftime and continued their strong play in the 2nd half, scoring 49 points while allowing just 20. The game’s total points of 144 fell just short of the 145.5 O/U line.

Razorbacks Offense Breakdown

Arkansas put up 109 points in their last game, shooting 55.6% from the field and knocking down 15 threes at a 44.1% clip. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 66.7%, thanks in part to hitting 65.8% of their two-point attempts.

The Razorbacks also connected on 82.4% of their free throws and dished out 23 assists. Boogie Fland and Johnell Davis each contributed 16 points, with Fland adding 6 assists and shooting 100% from deep.

Razorbacks Team Defense

Arkansas struggled defensively, giving up 35 points while allowing the opposing team to shoot 55% from the field. They were particularly vulnerable inside, where they gave up 25 two-point baskets on 38 attempts, a 65% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, Arkansas allowed 15 threes on 34 attempts, with the opposing team shooting 44%. They also sent the other team to the line 17 times, where they converted 14 free throws at an 82% clip. Arkansas gave up 9 offensive rebounds in the game.

Fighting Illini Preview: Will the Illinois Defense Show Up at Home?

Illinois Fighting Illini Recent Game/Games

Illinois cruised to a dominant 92-34 win over Little Rock on Monday, November 25th. Playing at home, the Illini entered the game as heavy favorites, favored by 23 points, and they covered the spread with ease. The total points for the game were 126, falling well short of the 152.5 O/U line.

Illinois took control early, leading 51-19 at halftime. They continued their strong play in the 2nd half, scoring 41 points while holding Little Rock to just 15 points.

Fighting Illini Offense Breakdown

Illinois put up 92 points in their last game, shooting 44.1% from the field and 32.3% from beyond the arc, hitting 10 threes on 31 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 51.5%, and they were strong from the free-throw line, converting 84.6% of their attempts (22/26).

The Illini grabbed 19 offensive rebounds and dished out 20 assists. Kasparas Jakucionis led the way with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, hitting 3 of 4 from three-point range. Tomislav Ivisic added 16 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 70% from the field.

Fighting Illini Team Defense

Despite Illinois giving up 34 points, their defense allowed the opposing team to shoot 44% from the field, with a 54% success rate on two-point attempts (20/37). From beyond the arc, the opposition hit 10 of 31 threes, shooting 32%.

Illinois sent the other team to the line 26 times, where they converted 22 free throws, shooting 84%. The Fighting Illini also gave up 19 offensive rebounds in the game.

Razorbacks vs Fighting Illini Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

  • When looking at their past ten road matchups, Arkansas has an ATS record of 5-5 while averaging 75 per game. The team went 2-8 overall in these games.
  • Illinois has played well in their previous three home games, going 2-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 65 points per game while allowing 69. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
  • Going back to their last ten games as the underdog, the Razorbacks have a straight up record of 2-8. But, their mark vs the spread was just 6-4.
  • The last ten games that Illinois was favored, they have an ATS mark of 8-2 while going 10-0 straight up.

Arkansas vs Illinois Prediction & Free Pick

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