Illinois Fighting Illini vs SIUE Cougars Matchup

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

SIUE vs Illinois Prediction

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Cougars versus the Fighting Illini? Tip off is at at 8:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on None. The game will be played at State Farm Center in Champaign, IL. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 156 points, and Illinois is favored by -26.5 at home against SIUE.

SIUE vs. Illinois Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: SIUE Cougars at Illinois Fighting Illini
Where: Champaign at State Farm Center
Date: Friday, November 8th
Betting Odds ILL -26.5, SIUE +4000 | ILL -50000 O/U 156

Cougars Preview: Does SIUE Have A Chance at State Farm Center?

SIUE Cougars Recent Game/Games

SIUE faced a tough challenge on Wednesday, November 6th, as they went on the road to take on the Indiana Hoosiers. The Cougars fell 80-61, but they managed to cover the spread as +27 point underdogs.

After trailing 42-30 at halftime, SIUE scored 31 points in the 2nd half while allowing 38. The game’s total points of 141 fell under the O/U line of 150.

Cougars Offense Breakdown

SIUE's offense struggled in their last game, shooting just 38% from the field and 19.2% from three-point range, finishing with 61 points. Their effective field goal percentage was 40.5%, and they hit only 46.2% of their free throws.

Mackenzie Mgbako was a standout, scoring 31 points on 13/17 shooting, including 4/5 from beyond the arc. Ray'Sean Taylor added 17 points but shot just 7/22 overall and 3/10 from three.

Cougars Team Defense

SIUE's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 80 points on 52% shooting from the field. They allowed 24 two-point baskets on 41 attempts, a 58% success rate for their opponents.

From beyond the arc, the opposing team hit 6 of 16 threes, shooting 37%. SIUE also sent them to the line 17 times, where they made 14 free throws, an 82% clip. The Cougars gave up 9 offensive rebounds.

Fighting Illini Preview: Can Illinois Pull Out the Win as Home Favorites?

Illinois Fighting Illini Recent Game/Games

Illinois opened their season with a dominant 112-67 win over Eastern Illinois on Monday. Playing at home, the Illini were -25 favorites and covered the spread with ease.

After leading 50-35 at halftime, Illinois clamped down defensively in the 2nd half, allowing just 32 points while scoring 62 of their own. The total points for the game reached 179, surpassing the O/U line of 145.

Fighting Illini Offense Breakdown

Will Riley's 31 points and 7 rebounds in 25 minutes, shooting 76.9% from the field and 83.3% from three, led Illinois to a 112-point performance. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn added 21 points, hitting 4 of 8 from deep.

The Illini connected on 16 threes at 38.1%, with an effective field goal percentage of 60.9%. They shot 68.2% inside the arc and made 34 of 46 free throws (73.9%), while grabbing 13 offensive rebounds and dishing out 13 assists.

Fighting Illini Team Defense

Illinois gave up 67 points while allowing the opposing team to shoot 48% from the field, including 68% on two-pointers (15/22). From beyond the arc, their opponents went 16/42, hitting 38% of their threes.

At the free-throw line, Illinois sent their opponents to the stripe 46 times, where they converted 34 attempts for 73%. The Fighting Illini also allowed 14 offensive rebounds in the game.

Cougars vs Fighting Illini Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across the Cougars last ten road games, the team averaged 67 points per game while allowing 74. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 2-8, while going 2-8 straight-up.
In their last ten games at home, the Fighting Illini have a straight up record of 6-4 while going 6-4 vs. the spread. The team averaged 80 points per game in this stretch.
In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Cougars have a straight up record of 0-5 and an ATS mark of 1-4.
Spanning across their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Fighting Illini have gone 7-3 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 9-1.