Illinois Fighting Illini vs Northwestern Wildcats Matchup

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

Northwestern vs Illinois Prediction

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Wildcats versus the Fighting Illini? Tip off is at at 3:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on BTN. The game will be played at State Farm Center in Champaign, IL. The over/under for this game is set at 147.5 points, and Illinois is favored by -8.5 vs. Northwestern in a Big Ten conference matchup.

Northwestern vs. Illinois Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Northwestern Wildcats at Illinois Fighting Illini
Where: Champaign at State Farm Center
Date: Sunday, January 26th
Betting Odds ILL -8.5, NW +302 | ILL -390 O/U 147.5

Wildcats Preview: Does Northwestern Stand a Chance on the Road?

Northwestern Wildcats Recent Game/Games

The Wildcats improved to 12-7 on the season with a 79-70 win over Indiana on Wednesday, January 22nd. Northwestern covered the -5 spread as favorites, and the game’s total points of 149 exceeded the O/U line of 139.5.

Northwestern trailed 31-25 at halftime but turned things around by scoring 54 points in the 2nd half while holding Indiana to 39 points.

Wildcats Offense Breakdown

Northwestern's offense put up 79 points in their last game, shooting 48.3% from the field and 48.1% from beyond the arc, hitting 13 of 27 threes. Their effective field goal percentage was 58.6%, and they grabbed 12 offensive rebounds, with 18 assists as a team.

Ty Berry led the way, hitting 7 of 10 threes and finishing with 23 points and 7 rebounds. Brooks Barnhizer added 21 points and 8 rebounds, while Mackenzie Mgbako contributed 20 points. Luke Goode was 4 of 5 from deep, finishing with 14 points.

Wildcats Team Defense

Despite Northwestern's defensive efforts, they gave up 70 points, allowing their opponent to shoot 48% from the field. The Wildcats couldn't contain the three-point line, where the other team hit 13 of 27 attempts, also at a 48% clip.

Northwestern sent their opponent to the free-throw line 17 times, where they converted 10 shots for 58%. The Wildcats also gave up 12 offensive rebounds in the game.

Fighting Illini Preview: Can the Fighting Illini Deliver Being Favored at Home?

Illinois Fighting Illini Recent Game/Games

Illinois fell to 13-6 on the season after a 91-70 loss to Maryland on Thursday. The Illini were favored by 6 points at home but couldn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 161, surpassing the over/under line of 157.5.

After trailing 38-35 at halftime, Illinois struggled defensively in the 2nd half, allowing 53 points while scoring just 35 of their own.

Fighting Illini Offense Breakdown

Illinois struggled from the field in their last game, shooting just 37.7% overall and 21.4% from three-point range, hitting 6 of 28 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 42.6%, but they managed to convert 75% of their free throws, going 18 for 24.

Julian Reese was a standout, scoring 27 points and grabbing 17 rebounds, shooting 52.2% from the floor. Derik Queen was also efficient, hitting 76.9% of his shots and finishing with 25 points and 6 rebounds.

Fighting Illini Team Defense

Despite giving up 91 points, Illinois held their opponent to 37% shooting from the field, including just 21% from beyond the arc, as they hit 6 of 28 three-point attempts. Inside the arc, the opposing team shot 51%, converting 17 of their 33 two-point attempts.

Illinois sent their opponent to the free-throw line 24 times, where they made 18, shooting 75% from the stripe. The Illini also allowed 8 offensive rebounds in the game.

Wildcats vs Fighting Illini Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across their ten previous road games, Northwestern has an ATS mark of 6-4. Their straight up record in these matchups was 2-8 while averaging 68 points per game.
In their last five games at home, the Fighting Illini have a straight up record of 4-1 while going 2-3 vs the spread. The team's offense averaged 88 points per game in these contests.
In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Wildcats have a straight up record of 3-7 and an ATS mark of 6-4.
The last ten games that Illinois was favored, they have an ATS mark of 4-6 while going 7-3 straight up.