Eastern Illinois Panthers vs Illinois Fighting Illini Matchup

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

Eastern Illinois vs Illinois Prediction

The Panthers and Fighting Illini are set to face off at 8:00 ET on B1G+. The Fighting Illini will host the game at State Farm Center in Champaign, IL. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 145 points, and Illinois is favored by -25 at home against Eastern Illinois.

Eastern Illinois vs. Illinois Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Eastern Illinois Panthers at Illinois Fighting Illini
Where: Champaign at State Farm Center
Date: Monday, November 4th
Betting Odds ILL -25, EILL +1687 | ILL -5100 O/U 145

Panthers Preview: No Pressure for Eastern Illinois as Away Dogs

Eastern Illinois Panthers Records

Eastern Illinois finished last season with a 10-18 overall record, including an 8-11 mark in Ohio Valley Conference play. At home, they went 6-6, while they struggled on the road, posting a 4-12 record.

Against the spread, the Panthers were 15-12, with a 10-5 record in road games. They were 6-1 straight-up when favored and went 5-2 ATS in those games. Their over/under record was 9-17-2, with an average of 135.8 points per game.

Panthers Offense Breakdown

Eastern Illinois Panthers Offense Stats

Eastern Illinois averaged 68.9 points per game last season, but they played at a slower pace, ranking 317th in possessions per game (62.2). Their shooting numbers were a concern, as they finished 339th in field goal percentage (42%) and 371st in effective field goal percentage (46%). They struggled inside the arc, ranking 380th in two-point percentage (46%).

The Panthers made 5.6 three-pointers per game, shooting 32% from deep, placing them 341st in three-point percentage. They attempted 17.5 threes per game. At the free-throw line, they made 11.9 free throws per game, ranking 300th.

Eastern Illinois Panthers Top Returning Offensive Players

Nakyel Shelton: G

Games: 29 (Last Year)
PPG: 11 (Last Year)
Assists: 1.9 (Last Year)
Rebounds: 4.4 (Last Year)

Corey Sawyer Jr: G

Games: 29 (Last Year)
PPG: 8.9 (Last Year)
Assists: 1.6 (Last Year)
Rebounds: 2.3 (Last Year)

Panthers Team Defense

Eastern Illinois was solid defensively last season, allowing 67.9 points per game, which ranked 67th in the nation. Opponents shot 30.6% from beyond the arc against them, placing the Panthers 124th in three-point defense. They also gave up 17.6 free throws per game, ranking 139th nationally.

Eastern Illinois averaged 8.1 steals per game, ranking 49th in the country, but they struggled in blocked shots, averaging just 3 per game, which was 255th nationally.

Fighting Illini Preview: Pressure Builds for Illinois as Home Favorites

Illinois Fighting Illini Records

Illinois finished last season with a 26-8 overall record, going 17-6 in Big Ten play. At home, they were 19-3, with an average scoring margin of +13.3 points per game. On the road, they went 7-5, with a +5.7 margin.

Against the spread, Illinois was 18-14, including an 8-3 road record. They were 23-5 straight-up when favored and 14-13 ATS. Their games averaged 158.2 points, and their over/under record was 24-10, with an average line of 149.9 points.

Fighting Illini Offense Breakdown

Illinois averaged 84.4 points per game last season, ranking 101st in possessions per game. They shot 47% from the field, placing 73rd, with a 53% effective field goal percentage (81st). The Illini made 8.3 three-pointers per game, shooting 34% from beyond the arc, and ranked 12th in free throws made per game at 17.5.

Returning for Illinois are Tre White and Ben Humrichous. White averaged 12.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season, while Humrichous contributed 14.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.

Fighting Illini Team Defense

Illinois struggled defensively last season, allowing 73.8 points per game, which ranked 222nd in the nation. Opponents shot 34.0% from beyond the arc against them, placing the Illini 343rd in 3-point percentage defense. They were better at limiting free throws, giving up 17.4 per game, which was 127th nationally.

Illinois averaged 4.2 steals per game, ranking 358th, and they were 117th in blocked shots, with 3.8 per game.

Panthers vs Fighting Illini Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Eastern Illinois has a 0-5 record in their last five road games. In this stretch, they averaged 64 points per game while allowing 72. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-2.
Illinois has played well in their previous five home games, going 3-2 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 75 points per game while allowing 76. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-2.
Through their last five games as the betting underdog, the Panthers have a strong record vs the spread going 3-2. Their straight up mark in these contests is 1-4.
As the betting favorite, the Fighting Illini have an ATS record of 4-1 in their last five games. In these matchups their, straight up record was 5-0.